The 1912 U.S. presidential election: Roosevelt, Wilson, and Taft

¶ … U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF

When considering the context of American history, 2012 was a year that saw many important anniversaries. One of these was the 100th anniversary of the critical U.S. Presidential Election of 1912. Some of the important players in this election were Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and socialist Eugene Debs. This election was historic for a number of reasons, some of which the paper will expound upon. The paper will consider some of the factors that made this election significant and noteworthy, as well as consider if there are any remnants of the election present within American politics, government, and culture in the 21st century.

The election of 1912 was a great contest for the 32nd presidency of the United States of America. World War I would be on the minds of many and international policy definitely played a role in the journey of each candidate for the position. Roosevelt did not receive the nomination of the Republican party as he had hoped; therefore, he broke off, created his own party, called the Progressive Party and was that party's candidate. Taft, from Ohio got the nomination from the Republicans. The split into two parties was the mark of a deeper split within the Republican party between the conservatives and the progressives. Clearly, the presence and the serious rivalry of a member of the Socialist party makes the 1912 election singular. For many decades since this election, there have only been two serious contenders, one each from the Democratic and Republican parties, whose names and ideals have changed over the course of American history as well. Wilson was the nominee from the Democratic Party.

This election was heated, to say the least. During the campaign, for example, Roosevelt was shot in a saloon. This was before the voting actually began. Historians, political scientists, and other relevant scholars have a consensus that this election was the high point or apex of progressive politics in the United States. This is shown in the division between the parties, the creation of new parties, and the popularity of fringe political parties, despite the very limited funds for the campaign of the socialist candidate. There has not been this much diversity among the candidates since those days a hundred years ago. Roosevelt shouted about "The New Nationalism" while Wilson shouted for "The New Freedom." Between the intense rivalries and the slogans for all things "new," it is clear that this election was an example of a turning point in the political and social thinking of a culture and a country. The 20th century is sometimes referred to as "the American century." From the very start of the 20th century, historic events unfolded with vigor.

Upon reviewing primary sources and articles gathered specifically for the purposes of this paper, this author agrees with the general belief about the importance of this election. As Wilson announced in his inaugural address, one of the ways in which a change in American thinking and politics manifested was in the overwhelming presence of the Democrats. At the time of the 1912 election, the House of Representatives was majority Democrats, as was the Senate, and clearly, the President was a Democrat as well. Wilson continues in his speech to discuss how with successes, come losses, and with victories, come failures. He mentions vision for change, vision for the new, and vision for the future, in addition to urging the country to learn or continue to take the good with the bad. (Wilson, 1913)

Another trait that characterizes the era of this election as Progressive is the attitude of average citizens and of politicians to cleanse government. This point is stressed in primary sources and journal articles alike -- the intense urge to purify government and then begin anew or continue anew with a rejuvenated belief and faith in government. This was also the era of Prohibition, the legal prohibition of the consumption, distribution, and production of alcohol. The thought of cleansing oneself and one's country is a prominent trait of the Progressive Era in which the historic election of 1912 occurred.

This was an era of increased social activism and reform regarding areas such as public education, labor law, industry, economics, history, and many other areas. This was an era of transformation and change. These became the platforms upon which the candidates campaigned. This was a process that began from the bottom up, beginning on the local level, then expanding to state and national levels. This is evident in the 21st century thanks in part to technology such as the Internet and social media. Grassroots social activism is at another all time high, not just in the United States, but around the world because many of us have access to technology that increases our awareness and participation in the same kinds of social reforms and social activism marked by the election and the Progressive Era overall.