What was the outcome of the 1912 elections, and why did they turn out that way?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1912
The outcome of the 1912 elections was the victory of Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, who became the 28th President of the United States. To understand why the elections turned out that way, there are a few factors to consider.
1. Split in the Republican Party: The Republican Party was divided between the incumbent President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt, who ran as a third-party candidate. This split in the Republican vote weakened their chances of winning the election.
2. Progressive Movement: The 1912 elections took place during a time of growing progressivism in the United States. Progressives aimed to tackle social and economic issues, advocating for government intervention and reforms. Both Roosevelt and Wilson, the Democratic candidate, were seen as embracing progressive ideas, which appealed to many voters.
3. Populist sentiment: The elections also occurred during a period of populist sentiment and growing discontent towards big businesses and their influence on the government. Wilson's campaign focused on his promise to rein in big corporations and provide more opportunities for the middle class, resonating with many voters.
4. Campaign platform: Woodrow Wilson campaigned on a platform of progressive reforms including tariff reduction, stronger antitrust laws, and banking reform. His promises of change and addressing the concerns of the working and middle classes garnered support.
Overall, the 1912 elections turned out the way they did due to the split in the Republican Party, the rise of progressivism and populist sentiment, and Woodrow Wilson's campaign focused on progressive reforms. This combination led to Wilson's victory and his subsequent presidency.