Topics in Chronicling America - The Presidential Election of 1912: Wilson vs. Roosevelt vs. Taft

Former President Theodore Roosevelt bolts the Republican Convention and runs as the Progressive “Bull Moose” Party candidate in the election of 1912, dooming the reelection of William Howard Taft. The Republican Party rift sent to the White House Democrat Woodrow Wilson, who became one of the century’s most influential presidents. Read more about it!

The information and sample article links below provide access to a sampling of articles from historic newspapers that can be found in the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/). Use the Suggested Search Terms and Dates to explore this topic further in Chronicling America.

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• June 18-22, 1912: The Republican National Convention is held in Chicago. William Taft is nominated for a second term, while Theodore Roosevelt indicates he will form a third party to oppose him.
• July 2, 1912: Woodrow Wilson is chosen as the Democratic nominee.
• November 5, 1912: Wilson wins the general election, with third-party candidate Roosevelt leading Republican Taft.

Suggested Search Strategies:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] William Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Progressive Party, Bull Moose Party, Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention.
• It is important to use a specific date range if looking for articles for a particular event in order to narrow your results.

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "Roosevelt is Planning for a Third Party Ticket," El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX), June 20, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Roosevelt Bolts and Will Form New National Party," The Washington Times (Washington, DC), June 20, 1912, Last Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Taft and Sherman Renominated on First Ballot; Roosevelt's Followers Sulk and Form New Party," The Washington Herald (Washington, DC), June 23, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Organize National Bull Moose Party," Medford Mail Tribune (Medford, OR), August 5, 1912, Second Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Name Roosevelt for President," The Evening Standard (Ogden City, UT), August 7, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Progressives Line Up for New Party," The Tacoma Times (Tacoma, WA), August 16, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 7.
• "Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey is Nominated on the 46th Ballot," The Evening Standard (Ogden City, UT), July 2, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Woodrow Wilson is the Choice of the Democrats," El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX), July 2, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 3.
• "Wilson Wins," The Interior Journal (Stanford, KY), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Wilson Elected," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Wilson Chosen President Roosevelt Leads Taft," New York Tribune (New York, NY), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Wilson Sweeps Country," The Mt. Sterling Advocate (Mt. Sterling, KY), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Woodrow Wilson Wins," The Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.