Can someone please explain what this statment means when it worded like this? (I tried to figure out what it means, put I keep getting confuse).
That the 1912 election registered, and inspired, fundamental changes in American politics suggests the historical significance of the Progressive Party. ????
Not only was it the driving force of this election, but it remains the most important third party to appear on the American political landscape in the 20th century. ????? Thank you
I think it means that by splitting the Republican vote Teddy R. and his Progressive (Bull Moose) party caused the election of a Democrat (Wilson). If he had not entered as a third party we would have gone into World War One with Taft as president and things might have been very different.
This was the only presidential election I can think of where a third party candidate surely and with no doubt changed the outcome of the election profoundly.
Because Roosevelt's third party garnered over 1/4 of the votes shows that the people wanted a lot of features that the Progressives advocated. No other third party has ever won so many votes.
This article discusses it in more depth.
http://www.claremont.org/publications/crb/id.1152/article_detail.asp
I would like to thank you both for your informative answers to my question. I will be sure to check out the article on the web site that you have provided as well. Now I am no longer confused as to what the statement really meant. Thanks again!
You're very welcome.
Certainly! Let's break down the statement and try to understand its meaning:
The statement is discussing the 1912 election in the context of American politics and the significance of the Progressive Party. It suggests that this election brought about important and influential changes in American politics.
The phrase "registered and inspired fundamental changes in American politics" means that the 1912 election not only witnessed significant changes but also served as a catalyst for further transformations in the political landscape of the United States. These changes likely affected the policies, ideologies, or norms within the political system.
The statement then refers to the Progressive Party, stating that it played a crucial role in driving these changes during the 1912 election. This implies that the Progressive Party was at the forefront of promoting new ideas and pushing for reforms during that time.
The second part of the statement states that the Progressive Party remains the most important third party to appear in American politics throughout the 20th century. In other words, despite being classified as a third party (outside the traditional two-party system of the Democrats and Republicans), it had a considerable impact and influence on American political history. This suggests that the Progressive Party managed to leave a lasting legacy and shape the political landscape not only during the 1912 election but also beyond.
To fully understand the significance of this statement, it may be helpful to delve into the details of the 1912 election, the policies and goals of the Progressive Party, and the broader context of American politics during that time. This will give you a clearer picture of the specific changes and impacts that are being referred to in the statement.