Why Did Theodore Roosevelt Start the Progressive Party in 1912

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- Summary of Roosevelt's Political Affiliations: Roosevelt served as a Republican president from 1901,after William McKinley's assassination,until 1908,when he chose to retire.He was a progressive Republican who worked to break up trusts and implement greater federal regulation of the economy and the environment.He was followed in office by his handpicked successor,William Howard Taft.
- 1912 Campaign and Election: Congressional Republicans did not unite behind Taft,and the more progressive among them began to call themselves "insurgents" and to plot their own political agenda.Roosevelt,unhappy with Taft's administration,demanded a "New Nationalism" that would control private property in order to protect the public welfare.He proposed a federal child labor law,more recognition of labor rights,a national minimum wage for women,and women's suffrage.Early in 1912 he announced himself as a Republican candidate for president.Roosevelt won in states that held primary elections,but not in those where Taft's people controlled political caucuses.When the Republicans chose Taft,Roosevelt led his followers into a new party he called the Progressive Party,which offered his New Nationalism directly to the people.The election was a four-way race among Taft,Roosevelt,the Democrat Woodrow Wilson,and the Socialist Eugene Debs.Due to Republican divisions,Wilson won the election and the Progressive Party faded.

Why Did Theodore Roosevelt Start the Progressive Party in 1912

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