Election of 1912: Periods 1-4 (A Day)

Hey everyone. Today we learned about reform of businesses and the government at the municipal, state, and national levels. We talked about how more legislative power was given to common citizens in cities and towns in several states. We also talked about two of our very own Progressive governors, Franklin Murphy and Woodrow Wilson. Lastly we talked about two of our Presidents and how they brought about reform.

Remember, Theodore Roosevelt's string of reform was called the Square Deal. It consisted of trustbusting, conservation, and health laws (such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drug Act).
Roosevelt decided not to run for re-election in 1908,so he personally picked a successor who would continue his reform program, William Howard Taft. Unfortunately, Taft was more conservative (wanted to keep the old ways) then progressive. He more enforced the laws that already existed instead of going to extremes to reform society. Although he actively participated in trustbusting, he was not as popular as Roosevelt. Taft also kept tariffs high (against what he said he would do) and hired a man (Richard Ballinger) who sought to take 1 million acres off the reserve list (therefore going against Roosevelt's conservation plan) as Secretary of the Interior.

Therefore, Roosevelt was outraged and the Republicans split in the Election of 1912. The more conservative member of the Republican Party nominated Taft as President, whereas the more progressive members created their own political party (Bull Moose Party) and nominated Roosevelt. Woodrow Wilson was the Democratic Party's candidate and Eugene V. Debs ran for the Socialist Party.

FOR HOMEWORK:
I have given each of you a different candidate. Using information we learned in class, you are to create an election campaign for the candidate. You should have at least one poster or campaign song for the candidate. This source should include what ideas you stand for and you should also mudsling (insult the other candidates' policies). If you have any questions, email me. This is going to be worth 15 points (5 points each for creativity, information on candidate, and mudslinging against the other candidates). Good luck!

~Mr. Mazur