The Election of 1916

Taylor GoodPOLI 423The Election of 1916Aftermath of 1912 ElectionWilson defeats a divided Republican partyTeddy Roosevelt becomes jaded and does not wish to return to campaigningThe Progressive Party loses hope for national candidacy

Washington D.C. after the Congressional Election of 1914Incumbent Woodrow Wilson (D) in White House, eligible for re-electionFirst Democratic President since 1896Democratic party controlled House of Representatives 230-196-9 (D-R-3rd) and Senate 56-40 (D-R)

http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/index.aspxhttp://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/partydiv.htm

3IssuesSocial PolicyProhibitionSuffrageWomens SuffrageTariffs8 Hour Work DayForeign PolicyIntervention in Europe (WWI)Military preparednessConflict with MexicoHyphenism

http://collections.yadvashem.org/photosarchive/en-us/5749732_7645.htmlContent from election of 19164Democratic Nominating ConventionWilson was widely regarded as the unanimous candidateWas virtually unopposed in primariesThomas R. Marshall, Wilsons current Vice President, was also re-nominated unopposedRepublican Pre-Convention Conservative base supports Elihu RootTeddy Roosevelt, at first spurning nomination by any party, decides to run without appearing to do soHughes support based on sentiments that Hughes was the only candidate who could beat WilsonSeveral favorite sons and other favored candidates: Charles Fairbanks, Theodore E. Burton, Albert B. Cummins, Robert La Follette, Leonard WoodRepublican PrimariesCharles Hughes and Teddy Roosevelt refused to allow their names be printed on primary ballotsA large amount of support for unrealistic favorite sons resultedDespite the primaries, from polls it was apparent that the two real contenders were Hughes and Roosevelt6,234 votes Roosevelt, 3,220 Hughes (n = 13,258) from a poll by the Minneapolis Journal758 Hughes, 275 Roosevelt, 138 Root (n = 1,500) from a Literary Digest poll

26-277Republican Nominating Convention Threat of Progressive split forced support away from RootProgressives held nominating convention at the same time in ChicagoProgressives threatened to nominate a candidate if Republicans did not nominate a candidate who appealed to ProgressivesHughes was nominated despite no early indication that he would accept nomination or what his stance was on the issuesHughes won the nomination within 3 ballotsFairbanks secured Vice-Presidential nominationwas well-liked but not qualified enough in foreign affairs to stand out as Presidential nominee

348Woodrow Wilson: The Incumbent Democratic NomineeDevoutly religiousFather was co-founder of Southern Presbyterian Church in the United StatesIntellectual and academicTaught law alongside Hughes at New York Law SchoolFormer President of Princeton UniversityFormer Governor of New JerseyIncumbent President

Wilsons Party Influence and Issue StanceWas instrumental in passing Progressive reforms during first termReduction of tariffs, anti-child labor, income tax, established Federal ReserveKnown to be liberal and anti-war but not a pacifistWanted war preparedness, but did not want to enter war immediatelyHad wide respect from the Democratic party

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2012/04/the-nationals-history-and-presidents.html10Charles E. Hughes: The Republican NomineeSon of a Northern Baptist ReverendLawyer and ProfessorReputation of having a cool, distant demeanorFormer Governor of New YorkSecretary of State under TaftAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court

Hughes Party Influence and Issue StanceHughes was respected for being neither liberal nor conservativeHughes had operated independent of the political scene as a member of the Supreme CourtHughes supported intervention in Europe, womens suffrage, and protective tariffsCampaign Strategy and Issue Emphasis: DemocratDemocrats focused on emphasizing liberal social legislationCampaign targeted Progressives who did not return to the Republican party and targeted the WestHe Kept Us Out of WarWilson was disinterested in campaigning across the countryAttacked hyphenismCaused issues with Irish-American, Catholic vote

http://www.americanhistoryusa.com/5-liberal-falsehoods-of-american-history/13Campaign Strategy and Issue Emphasis: RepublicanSilence on Wilsons domestic policyWas a massive hurdle for HughesWas forced to appeal to peace-loving Progressives and nationalists interested in warFailed to court key political supporters in California, OhioTeddy Roosevelt campaigned for Hughes, delivered speeches supporting intervention

http://paw.princeton.edu/issues/2008/09/24/pages/2698/index.xml?page=6&15

http://saintleo.libguides.com/content.php?pid=252802&sid=218024016Election Results: Democratic VictoryDespite winning a higher popular vote percentage when compared with the election of 1912, Wilson won fewer electoral votes in 1916 due to the unification of the Republican Party.

PV:9,126,868-8,548,728 D-R49.24%-46.12% D-R

EV: 266 votes to win277-254D-R52.2% -47.8%D-R

http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/

17Election AnalysisWilson had strong sectional support in the South and along the Mountain states, while Hughes had sectional support in the Northeast and Mid-North.

Wilson picked up three states he had not won in the previous election: Ohio, New Hampshire, California.

Victory hinged on California, whose PV margin was less than 4,000. Hughes was assumed to be the winner before the total vote count from California was transmitted east.

Wilson appealed to the liberal vote and was able to capture Progressive and Western voters who were unwilling to support Hughes

http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/

18Comparison between 1912 and 1916Election of 1912Election of 1916

Wilson PV 6,296,284 41.84% EV 435 81.9%Taft PV 3,486,242 23.17% EV 8 1.5%Roosevelt PV 4,122,721 27.40% EV 88 16.6%19Historical Significance and Future ImpactWilson became first Democratic President since Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) to succeed himselfOnly time a Supreme Court Justice has been nominated for the office of the PresidentWilson later intervenes in Europe in 1917Intervention is paramount to Allied victoryWilson advocates for League of NationsPres Election pg 17120