17. 4Progressivism Under

Taft

Learn about the Taft Administration

Understand the causes of the split in the

Republican Party and its impact

Election of 1908

TR anoints Taft as successor

Taft (Republican)

v.

Bryan (Democrat)

Voters endorse status quo: Taft wins 321 to 162

Postcard with Taft cartoonThis postcard depicts how President Theodore Roosevelt, in command of the Republican Party, persuaded his friend William Howard Taft to run for president in 1908. Taft was not eager for that office, but Roosevelt succeeded in convincing him to seek it. With Roosevelt's strong support, Taft was elected, but he proved a disappointment to Roosevelt. (Collection of Janice L. and David J. Frent)

Postcard with Taft cartoon

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Pres. Taft (1908-1912)SCORECARD: Not as popular as TR

PROS:

Over 90 anti-trust actions, including against Standard Oil and US Steel

CONS:

Fails to unite wings of Republican party-splits it!

1.Conservation Controversy with Gifford Pinchot

2. Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill controversy

What are the 5 W’s forGifford Pinchot &

Payne-Aldrich Tariff ?

Why did these two events help split the party?

http://elections.harpweek.com/1912/cartoons/0504120007d5w.jpg

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1912 buttons: Roosevelt, Taft, and WilsonPolitical buttons continued to be ubiquitous in 1912. Roosevelt and his running mate, Hiram Johnson, the governor of California, are pictured with the Bull Moose that came to symbolize the Progressive Party after Roosevelt exclaimed that he felt as fit as a bull moose. Taft, the Republican candidate, and Wilson, the Democrat, are depicted with more traditional symbols of patriotism and party. (Collection of Janice L. and David J. Frent)

1912 buttons: Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson

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ELECTION OF 1912• Roosevelt looses Republican nomination• Roosevelt seizes Progressive Republican League from

La Follette.• Becomes “Bull Moose” Party• Democrats nominate Woodrow Wilson• Wilson’s “New Freedom” v. TR’s “Square Deal”• Wilson elected by significant margin, but still as a

MINORITY president

REAL WINNER:

Progressivism

http://elections.harpweek.com/1912/cartoons/0803120001d12w.jpg

Map: Election of 1912, by Counties

Election of 1912The presidential election of 1912 was complicated by the campaign of former president Theodore Roosevelt running as a Progressive. Roosevelt's campaign split the usual Republican vote without taking away much of the usual Democratic vote. Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic candidate, carried many parts of the West and Northeast that Democratic candidates rarely won.

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