American Imperialism

Imperialism

Reasons for Imperialism

• To acquire more territory.

• Provide the country with more economic markets

for economic growth.

• For national security.

• Maintaining a feeling of national pride.

Imperialism is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over

weaker nations. Several European nations were expanding their power

overseas, a development known as the New Imperialism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhkCWpbZyJU

Turner's Thesis (1893)

Historian Frederick Jackson Turner believed that the strength and the vitality of

the America with its expansion overseas.

By articulating the end of the American frontier and calling for new frontier

abroad, Turner laid the intellectual groundwork for a new kind of U.S. foreign

policy, one that led the United Stated into Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico,

and Guam during the Spanish-American War.

Anti-Imperialist League and Isolationists

An organization in the United States that opposed to US expansion overseas.

Someone who is opposed to US expansion and involvement in foreign affairs

is called an isolationist.

Market for Resources

The U.S. saw the Pacific Ocean as the pathway to China and other nations

in Southeast Asian markets.

Boxer Rebellion

The Boxers was a secret Chinese society organized to end foreign control of

their country. Numbering 140,000, the Boxers invaded foreign embassies in

Beijing and killed more than 200 foreigners and thousands of Chinese suspected

of being Christian. An international military force consisting of the England,

Russia, Japan, France, and the United States ended the Boxer Rebellion in

August 1900.

Chinese Boxers attacked and killed over 200 foreigners in China before troops from England, France,

U.S., and Japan intervened.

Boxer Rebellion

A Chinese Boxer

Captured Boxers Awaiting Execution French Soldiers Behind Barricades

Japanese Soldiers Executing Boxer Prisoners

William Seward and the Purchase of Alaska

In 1867 Secretary of State William H. Seward purchased Alaska from Russia

for $7.2 million dollars. Russia was eager to give it up and the purchase

was contested by Congress. Also known as "Seward’s Icebox" or "Seward’s

folly," it was generally thought to be useless, but later approved to be an

excellent addition to the United States.

Secretary of State William Seward was often ridiculed by the American press for his purchase of Alaska. Many

described Alaska as "Seward's Folly" or “Seward’s Icebox” because Alaska was not fit for settlement or farming.

Unbeknownst, but Alaska's would provide the United States an abundance of resources of fish, timber, oil and gold.

Whose laughing now?

Oil

Gold

Fishing

The United States Leases Pearl Harbor In 1887 the United States gained the right to establish a naval port in Pearl

Harbor as a coal and repair station for U.S. navy.

Annexation of Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani became the queen of Hawaii in 1891. She disliked the

influence of American settlers in Hawaii and tried to impose a new constitution

that reasserted her authority as ruler of the Hawaiian people and cancel the U.S.

lease for Pearl Harbor the U.S.

In 1893 a group of planters, supported by U.S. Marines, forced the queen to give

up her power and she abdicated. Hawaii became an American territory until

1959.

Queen

Liliuokalani

Hawaiian State Seal

William McKinley (1843-1901) William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from

March 4, 1897, until his assassination on September 14, 1901. He led the

nation to victory in the Spanish-American War and promoted American

industry.

At social events, Ida sat next to her husband, rather than across

from him. President McKinley earned a reputation as an

exemplary husband, gently covering her face with a

handkerchief just before her seizures so her contorted features

would be hidden from public view, and then discreetly removing

it afterward without mention.

William McKinley was the fifth Ohio

President to be elected within a 28 year

period and ironically the fifth President to

die while in office. It is said that McKinley

was fond of operas and it was rumored that

he ate cigars and used them as chewing

tobacco.

Cuba A Spanish colony, provided wealth for Spain with sugarcane plantations. In

1868 Cuban rebels declared independence and began a guerrilla attack

against Spanish authorities. After the attack failed, the Cuban rebels fled to

the United States to plan a new revolution.

José Martí (1853-1895)

José Martí was an exiled leader of Cuba’s revolution who fled to New York

City and became a writer and poet. He raised money from Americans and to

begin purchasing weapons and training troops to prepare for an invasion of

Cuba.

In February 1894, Martí and his followers began a new rebellion in Cuba. They

seized control of eastern Cuba, declared its independence from Spain, and in

September 1895 set up the Republic of Cuba.

Cuban War for Independence Spain appointed General Valeriano Weyler to crush the rebellion in Spain.

Called the "Butcher," Weyler caused the deaths of tens of thousands of Cuban

villagers by sending them to unsanitary concentration camps. He was recalled

to Spain in 1897.

Valeriano Weyler

At the start of the Cuban

revolution, Americans

were neutral.

Yellow Journalism

Yellow Journalism newspapers led to today’s gossip newspaper such as “The National Enquirer” and ‘The Globe.”

Two rival newspapers in New York City, The New York Journal owned by

William Randolph Hearst and the New York World owned by Joseph Pulitzer,

began trying to outdo each other to increase circulation. Both immediately

began to print exaggerated stories of Spanish attacks on Cubans and

American citizens. Believing these stories, Americans began to side with the

Cuban rebels and called for intervention in the war.

Joseph Pulitzer

A muckraker who designed the modern newspaper format (factual articles

in one section, editorial and opinion articles in another section).

A U.S. award established in 1917 for

achievements in newspaper, literature,

and musical composition.

Prizes are awarded yearly in twenty-

one categories. In twenty of the

categories, each winner receives a

certificate and a US $10,000 cash

award. The winner in the public service

category of the journalism competition

is awarded a gold medal.

Hearst filled his papers with increasingly sensationalistic headlines and lurid

stories of sex, murder and other vices, many of which had little basis in

reality. When rebellion broke out in Spanish-controlled Cuba in 1895, Hearst

seized the moment, printing page after page of anti-Spanish propaganda.

There is little doubt that Hearst helped fan the flames of war.

William Randolph Hearst

When Hearst sent the

gifted artist Frederic

Remington to Cuba to

draw sketches of

reporters’ stories,

Remington informed the

publisher that a war

between the United States

and Spain seemed very

unlikely. Hearst

reportedly replied, “You

furnish the pictures and

I’ll furnish the war.”

William Randolph Hearst

Frederic Remington

“Truth is the

first casualty of

war”

Examples of Pulitzer & Hearst “Yellow Journalism”

Yellow Journalism

newspapers ran stories of

Spanish authorities in Cuba

strip-searching women in

Havana, stories of poisoned

wells, and of children being

thrown to sharks. This

obvious purpose of this

sensational style of writing,

which exaggerated the news,

was to make the American

public angry and deepened

American sympathy for the

rebels.

Raising false claims that Spanish warships were

off American shores helped turn American

against Spain.

This Yellow Journalist paper contained a

cartoon which proclaimed Spain’s

responsibility for blowing up the U.S.S. Maine.

Teller Amendment

A resolution by Congress in 1898 promising to grant Cuba independence after

the war. The Teller Amendment provided the US with justification for its

actions while allaying fears that the war was simply an imperialist land grab.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660-1783

Captain Alfred T. Mahan of the United States Navy published his lectures in a

book called The Influence of Sea power Upon History, 1660–1783. The book

suggested that a nation needed a large navy to protect its merchant ships and

to defend its right to trade with other countries. Mahan felt it necessary to

acquire territory overseas for naval bases.

Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of Navy

As the Assistant Secretary of Navy, Theodore Roosevelt was in charge of the

navy when the Maine crisis occurred, he had rebuilt the navy and tried to

start a war with Cuba.

Roosevelt was impatient and in 1898, Roosevelt resigned to become

second in command of the Rough Riders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFEh6ff8KIg

de Lome Letter

In late 1897 the Spanish ambassador to Washington, Enrique Dupuy de

Lome sent a letter to a friend in Spain. In it he criticized President McKinley,

calling him a "would-be politician", and said that the president was "weak

and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd", among other things. The letter

was obtained by the New York Journal and published on February 9, 1898.

Soon after the letter was published de Lome resigned and Spain apologized.

Many Americans would have agreed,

but they resented hearing it from a

Spanish diplomat.

U.S.S. Maine On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine, an American warship sent to patrol

Cuban waters mysteriously exploded off the coast of Havana, Cuba, killing

266 American officers and sailors.

Although no one knew at the time why the ship exploded, Yellow Journalist newspapers convinced many

Americans that a Spanish mine had destroyed the U.S.S. Maine and gave the US a final reason to go to war. In the

1970s, a review of the evidence concluded that a shipboard ammunition explosion had caused the blast.

The U.S.S. Maine sailing off to Havana Harbor in Cuba.

It’s sinking led to the Spanish-American War.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-

8&fr=tightropetb&p=the+story+of+the+uss+maine&type=11083_021715

United States Declares War on Spain

Fun Fact: When Spain declared war on the U.S. in 1898, the U.S. in turn declared war on Spain but backdated the

declaration by three days so it would look more heroic to have declared war first.

President William McKinley did not want to intervene in the war, fearing it

would cost the United States too many lives and hurt the economy. In 1898,

after much pressure, McKinley authorized Congress to declare war on Spain.

Afterwards, "[The President] broke down and cried like a boy of thirteen."

The wreck of the U.S.S Maine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAYbLdpghRA

Commodore Dewey & Manila Bay

The first action of the Spanish-American War came on May 1, 1898,

Commodore George Dewey led a fleet sailed into Manila Bay in the Philippines

and seized or destroyed all ten Spanish ships anchored there. Afterward,

McKinley sent 20,000 American troops to occupy the Philippines.

One American and 381 Spanish men died.

"You may fire when you are ready, Gridley."

George Dewey, Naval Commander

Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898.

The Spanish-American War

Fighting lasted between April 1898 to Aug 1898. The war lasted less than

four months. Known as “A Splendid Little War,” because so few U.S. casualties

(Only 400)

The American army was untrained and

unequipped. Poor conditions in training camps

resulted in more Americans dying in training

than in battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjEVlPbPtJg

The Spanish-American War made

Teddy Roosevelt a national hero. He

will soon enter politics.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

Theodore Roosevelt formed the Rough Riders (volunteers) to fight in the

Spanish- American War in Cuba.

Roosevelt won praise for leading the Rough Riders in bold charges up Kettle

and San Juan Hills.

A group of cavalry volunteers in the US Army who fought in the Spanish-American War. Although termed the Rough

Riders, most of their horses did not arrive in Cuba because in their haste, they had to leave their mounts in Tampa,

Florida. The Rough Riders actually walked. The group was led by Colonel Leonard Wood, with Lieutenant-Colonel

Theodore Roosevelt also leading a contingent. The Rough Riders made a heroic charge up San Juan Hill that cost

them heavy casualties.

9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments

African Americans who fought in the Spanish-American War were organized

into units or regiments that were segregated from whites. Along with the

Rough Riders were the all-black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments. About one-

fourth of the American troops fighting in Cuba were African American.

John “Black Jack”

Pershing command the

10th Cavalry Regiment

during the Spanish-

American War.

The regiment distinguished itself in Cuba at Santiago and Las Guasimas, and in the famous charge up San Juan

Hill. What most people do not know is that the brunt of the fighting was borne by the soldiers of the 9th and 10th

Cavalry Regiments. One eyewitness has written: “If it had not been for the Negro Cavalry, the Rough Riders

would have been exterminated. The 10th Cavalry fought for 48 hours under fire from Spaniards who were in

brick forts on the hill.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American

War. Cuba became an independent country. By the terms of the Treaty of

Paris in 1898, Spain recognized Cuba’s independence and ceded the

Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Island of Guam to the United States

in exchange for $20 million. This treaty made the United States an imperial

power.

The war lasted only three months and cost the U.S. about 400 killed or wounded. The United States gained the

Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam and emerged as a power to be reckoned with on the world stage. Cuba gained

independence from Spain. For Spain it was a humiliating defeat. Both her Atlantic and Pacific fleets were sent to

the bottom of the sea and with them went Spain's prestige as a world power.

Cuba as a Protectorate

The United States Protectorate over Cuba was a provisional US protectorate

over Cuba that was established in the aftermath of the Spanish-American

War in 1899 when Spain ceded Cuba to the United States.

Platt Amendment • Cuba could not make a treaty with another nation that would weaken its

power or allow another foreign power to gain territory in Cuba.

• Cuba had to allow the United States to indefinitely maintain Guantanamo

naval base in Cuba.

• Cuba’s debts had to be kept low to prevent foreign countries from

landing troops to enforce payment.

• The United States would have the right to intervene to protect Cuban

independence and keep order. Cuba reluctantly accepted the

Amendment. It was repealed in 1934.

In this picture, Uncle Sam, America, is

setting a dove free. The dove

represents Cuba. However, the leash,

which represents the Platt

Amendment, does not give the dove

true freedom. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam

still holds his gun, or his big stick, as

Cuba's incentive to not disobey him.

The Foraker Act

In 1900 Congress passed the Foraker Act, making Puerto Rico an

unincorporated territory. Congress gradually allowed the people a degree of

self-government. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were made citizens of the United

States. In 1947 the island was allowed to elect its own governor. Today the

debate on whether to grant Puerto Rico statehood, to become an independent

country, or to continue as a Commonwealth and part of the United States still

exists.

Filipino Insurrection

The Filipino celebration of their freedom from four hundred years of Spanish

rule was short-lived. The only thing that changed was that the United States

replaced Spain as their landlord.

Many Americans supported annexing the Philippines because it would provide

a naval base and stopover on the way to China, a large market for American

goods. In 1946 the United States granted independence to the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964)

When Spain surrendered in 1898 Emilio Aguinaldo, a Filipino revolutionary,

drew up a constitution and proclaimed the Philippines’s independence. When

the Treaty of Paris gave the United States power over the Philippines,

Aguinaldo became angry and ordered his troops to attack American soldiers

stationed in the Philippines. By April 1902, all Filipino resistance stopped.

Aguinaldo boarding USS Vicksburg following his

capture in 1901

Guerilla Warfare

A strategy in which a weaker army/force often strikes quickly, inflicting

damage, then retreats before its stronger enemy can fully retaliate. It is

usually intended to frustrate and weaken an enemy's willingness to fight

rather than overpower and defeat them in a head-to-head battle.

Guerilla Warfare NOT Gorilla Warfare

Atrocities Violent killings and tortures that were unnecessary and/or against innocent

civilians.

Philippine Independence Urban Myth

Black Jack Pershing vs. Muslim Terrorists

One important thing to note beforehand is that Muslims

detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals.

Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others won't

even touch pigs at all, nor any of their by-products. To

them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc., is

to be instantly barred from paradise and doomed to hell.

Just before World War I, there were a number of

terrorist attacks on the United States by; you guessed it,

Muslim extremists.

So General Pershing captured 50 terrorists and had

them tied to posts, execution style. He then had his men

bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the, now

horrified, terrorists. The soldiers then soaked their

bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of

the terrorists by firing squad.

The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the

terrorist's bodies and covered them in pig blood,

entrails, etc. They let the 50th man go. And for the next

forty-two years, there was not a single Muslim extremist

attack anywhere in the world.

Assassination of William McKinley

On Sept. 6th, 1901 Leon Czolgosz shot President McKinley with a concealed

revolver at the Pan-American Exposition reception.

Leon Czolgz: An anarchist wrapped his pistol and hand in a cast in order to get

past secret service agents to assassinate President McKinley.

The execution of Leon Czolgz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww_RcEAfT1o

Leon Czolgz

After the assassination of McKinley the

Secretary of The Treasury made it official that

the Secret Service would protect the president.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)

The 26th President of the United States following the death of McKinley.

He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements,

as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity.

Roosevelt was 42 years old when sworn in as

President of the United States in 1901, making

him the youngest president ever; he beat out

the youngest elected president, John F.

Kennedy, by only one year.

Fun Facts About Theodore Roosevelt;

In 1884, Roosevelt’s wife and mother died on the same day.

Before becoming President, he held offices at the city, state,

and federal levels. Roosevelt served as a U.S. Civil Service

commissioner; he also served as New York City’s crusading

police commissioner, wearing disguises in order to root out

corruption.

As New York governor, Roosevelt had challenged the interests

of many big business leaders. Republican boss Tom Platt

wanted Roosevelt out of the state affairs of New York, thus

conspiring to place him as McKinley’s vice presidential

running mate at the Republican convention in 1900. A senator

warned his colleagues not to make Theodore Roosevelt their

vice presidential nominee: “Don’t any of you realize that

there’s only one life between this madman and the

presidency?”

After McKinley’s assassination, one member of McKinley’s

Cabinet commented, “Now that damn cowboy is President…

God help us.”

Roosevelt Corollary (Big Stick Diplomacy) In 1904, Roosevelt created the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

This doctrine justified U.S. intervention in the affairs of Latin American

nations if their weakness or wrongdoing warranted such action. The document

was primarily a pass for the US to interfere with other countries’ business

when it was not wanted nor needed.

Roosevelt said, "Walk softly and carry a big stick," which meant ask first, also but bring

along a big army to help convince them. Then, threaten to use force if they don’t comply.

Great White Fleet (1907-1909)

President Roosevelt the "Great White Fleet" of 16 battleships and 15,000

sailors sent on a 14-month global tour in 1908 to show the country’s military

strength. Visiting Japan did not help the tension that already existed.

Until the Second World War, U.S. battleships were painted white.

One of the global stops for the Great White Fleet

was the country of Japan, which prompted that

country to make haste with constructing its own

immense naval fleet. Thirty four years later, the

United States will go to war against Japan during

the Second World War.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fLvidsZeQE

Gentlemen’s Agreement with Japan

In the 1890’s, workers feared their jobs would be taken by the Japanese

immigrants and they wanted a law preventing any more immigrants to move

to the United States. In 1907 Japan proposed the Gentlemen’s Agreement

which promised that they would halt the unrestricted immigration if

President Roosevelt promised to discourage any laws being made that would

restrict Japanese immigration to the US.

Picture of Japanese brides coming to U.S. to help

Japanese men find a wife. Early 1900s.

Japanese women arriving at Angel Island Immigration

Station in California. Between 1886 and 1911, more

than 400,000 men and women left Japan for the U.S.

and U.S. controlled lands, and significant emigration

continued for at least a decade beyond that.

Panama Revolution In 1903 Panama was still part of Colombia. Secretary of State John Hay offered

$10 million and a yearly rent of $250,000 for the right to build a canal, but the

Colombian government refused. The Panamanians revolted. After the revolt,

the United States recognized Panama as an independent country, and they

signed a treaty that allowed the United to build the canal.

The Panama Canal The Panama Canal served as US military and economic interests by allowing

ships to travel back and forth between the Pacific and Atlantic without having

to go around South America.

A French company had begun digging the canal in 1881, but it had been forced

to stop because of bankruptcy and terrible losses from disease among workers.

U.S. construction got underway in 1905 and was completed in 1914.

Did You Know? In 1977 the United States and Panama signed a

treaty that gave Panama control of the Panama Canal from the

United States on December 31, 1999. Another treaty gave the United

States the right to defend the neutrality of the canal after 1999.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2T7CL9wqyM

Walter Reed and Yellow Fever

Many Panama Canal workers died of Malaria and Yellow Fever. The yellow

fever virus is transmitted by the bite of female Mosquitoes. The origin of the

disease is most likely to be Africa, from where it was introduced to South

America through the slave trade in the 16th century. Since the 17th century,

several major epidemics of the disease have been recorded in the Americas.

Walter Reed discovered that the mosquito

transmitted yellow fever and developed a

cure. Yellow fever was the leading cause of

death of American troops in the Spanish-

American War.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jb9UOMApak

Roosevelt Decides Not to Run Again & Goes to Africa

In 1909, Roosevelt decided not to run for a third term, but instead to hunt

big game in Africa. He passed the presidency to his hand-picked successor,

William Howard Taft.

Roosevelt was an avid hunter.

A day without shooting or

killing something was like a

day without sunshine.

William Howard Taft

William Taft became the 27th President with President Roosevelt's help,

unfortunately President Taft was too cautious, slow acting, and took a long

time to make decisions.

As president, Taft filed twice as many anti-trust suits as Roosevelt.

Did You Know: In 1930, Taft

was appointed chief justice of

the U.S. Supreme Court.

William Howard Taft Bathtub Story

Taft was the heaviest president, weighing close to 360 lbs. Taft once got stuck

in the White House bathtub and had a special bathtub was installed in the

White House large enough to accommodate four average-sized adults.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycrZ7ZQk_vk

Taft's Bathtub Before It

was Installed.

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft sought to avoid military confrontation by using money to

increase foreign interest in the US. He planned to donate large sums of money

to generate economic, social, and political stability in Latin America rather

than sending the military to force stability. His efforts were largely a failure as

most of the money never reached the actual people of Latin America. Most of

the money was stolen by corrupt government officials.

He was the only man to serve as both President of the U.S. and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Roosevelt Returns

Theodore Roosevelt was disenchanted with President Taft and missed the

glory days of being president. He decided to challenge his successor and

run against President Taft for the 1912 presidential nomination in order

to save America.

The Republican Party refused to endorse Roosevelt and decided to back

Taft instead, so Roosevelt decided to run as an independent and launched

a third party called the Progressive Party.

The Election of 1912

The Republican Party refused to endorse Roosevelt and decided to back Taft,

so Roosevelt decided to run as an independent.

The Democrats chose Woodrow Wilson to run on the Democratic ticket.

Where Roosevelt was charismatic and loved politics, Taft was the exact opposite. He did not like the spotlight and

reacted to issues by approaching them from a legal point of view.

During a stop in Milwaukee on his 1912 "Bull Moose" campaign for the presidency, Roosevelt was shot at close

range by John Schrank, a psychotic New York saloon keeper. Schrank had his .38 caliber pistol aimed at

Roosevelt's head, but a bystander saw the gun and deflected Schrank's arm just as the trigger was pulled.

Roosevelt did not realize he was hit until someone noticed a hole in his overcoat. When Roosevelt reached inside

his coat, he found blood on his fingers. Roosevelt was extremely lucky.

Roosevelt had the manuscript of a long, 50-page speech in his coat pocket, folded in two, and the bullet was no

Doubt slowed as it passed through it. He also had a steel spectacle case in his pocket, and the bullet traversed

this, too, before entering Roosevelt's chest near the right nipple. Although the bullet traveled superiorly and

medially for about 3 inches after breaking the skin, it lodged in the chest wall, without entering the pleural space.

Roosevelt was examined in a Milwaukee hospital, where he reluctantly allowed the surgeons to administer an

injection of tetanus anti-toxin, and then was observed for 8 days in a Chicago hospital. He was discharged on

October 23, 1912 only a few days before the election. The bullet had effectively stopped Roosevelt's campaign.

The bullet was never removed, and caused no difficulty after the wound.

Assassination Attempt on Roosevelt

Reenactment of the Assassination Attempt on Roosevelt [2015]

Assassination Attempt on Roosevelt In 1912, Roosevelt was shot in the chest by a deranged man, but proceeded to

deliver an hour-long speech before having the bullet removed.

Pistol used by

Frank Shrank

Roosevelt was shot at close range by John

Schrank, a psychotic German immigrant.

Roosevelt’s Blood-Soaked Shirt

Roosevelt’s X-ray Showing

the Bullet Lodged in

Roosevelt’s Chest The speech and

glass case that saved

Roosevelt’s Life.

Bull Moose Party

Formally known as the Progressive Party, was created by Theodore Roosevelt

after his split with Taft. It was created in his anger of Taft being nominated in

the Republican Party. It advocated primary elections, woman suffrage, and

prohibition of child labor. They outpolled the Republicans but lost to the

Democrats.

Election of 1912 Results

Roosevelt received 27% of the popular vote, which today is still a record

for a third-party candidate. Taft only won 23% of the popular vote.

The split in the Republican ranks in 1912 enabled Democrat Woodrow

Wilson to win the presidency, despite receiving only 42% of the popular

vote. Wilson became the first Southerner to be elected president since the

Civil War.

Wilson was a college professor, university president and Democratic governor of

New Jersey before winning the White House in 1912. Woodrow Wilson served in

office from 1913 to 1921 and led America through World War I (1914-1918).

Once in office, he pursued an ambitious agenda of progressive.

Woodrow Wilson

HISTORY FUN FACTS:

Woodrow Wilson is the only U.S. president to this day to receive an earned Ph.D.

His degree was in History from Johns Hopkins University.

President Wilson was a card-carrying member of the KKK.