The Rise of Progressivism

[Cathcon1]

Should I continue? When I started getting interested in continuing this, it seemed comments dropped.

[manofsteelwool]

Keep it up!

[Timmy811]

I'd like to see more as well.

[historybuff]

Keep it up. Man, Smith's got a lot on his plate.

[Cathcon1]

Thanks, An update is most likely coming today.

[Cathcon1]

Introducation (continued)

In today's world, Al Smith would be a very hard to guage man. During the time before his Presidency, he had been recognized as a leader of the Progressive Efficiency movement, its goals being to make government more efficient, effective, and more able to serve the people. However, at the same time, he was also seen by some such as his friend James Farley, who served in his administration, as much more of a moderate. He had a lot of popularity among low income and working class families, however he was also a supporter of fiscal responsibility and tax-cuts.

In looking for someone to compare him with, there are a couple of examples. One would in fact be Herbert Hoover. Despite obvious historical differences between the two, such as the issues of tariffs and prohibition, they can both be seen as having a belief in helping those that were lower on the social rung, and also having somewhat business friendly policies. Another comparision would be towards the "Moderate Progressives" of the late nineteen-seventies. Led by Ronald Reagan who had been born into a Progressive family, they would be much more Conservative in social and foreign policy than other Progressives, and would differ as well in economic policy. The Moderate Progressives of course would mostly be gone from the party by the nineteen-eighties. Going along those lines you can also look at economic moderates such as the Alaskan Senator Mike Gravel who was a Progressive, anti-war, socially Libertarian, and economically moderate. All these of course are flawed models to compare Al Smith to, and only his own actions can truly define him as President.

-Empire Statesman; The Rise and Reign of Al Smith, Robert A Slayton

Throughout the rest of 1923, Smith would continually face attacks from many different sides. In order to attempt to turn away from bad domestic news, in July of 1923, Smith had Secretary of State Woodrow Wilson organize the Washington Naval and Arms Conference. Held in August, representatives of Britain, France, Japan, Russia, and other countries arrived in Washington DC to discuss the limitations of weapons and war-ships in the future. Eventually, a consensus was reached limiting arms until the year 1940. In that agreement, Britaint agreed to de-comission nineteen of its ships and America agreed to de-commission thirty of its ships. Other articles included limiting of naval construction of war ships. Today, the conference is still debated around Washington DC as having either adverse or good affects on World War II. However, at the time, it was good news for Smith.

Another event in foreign policy that can be seen either as a failure or an acheivment of the early Smith Administration was re-calling of United States troops from Latin America in order to improve relations. As President, Robinson hadn't taken an interest in the idea and had focused on domestic programs.

As 1923 turned to 1924, the embattled President Smith began to see light at the end of the tunnel. Reports were in that companies were beginning to start hiring again. However, there was a large amount of debate as to why. Some argued that it was because of Robinson's measures. Some argued that it was because of Smith's tax cuts. Some argued that it was just natural that the economy begin to pick up again. Some argued that it was being overly optimistic to call it a "recovery" at all. Some argued a combination of two or more. However, there was no general consensus as to what was happening and why.

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

August 30th, 1923: A conversation between President Al Smith and Navy Secretary Joe Kennedy after the Washington Naval and Arms Conference.
Joe: Now, come on Al. I really don't agree with you on this. While I am against war and foreign intervention, I don't think we should lay down our arms.
Al: We have to do this, in order to ensure peace. We all know of the tension after the Great War.
Joe: This isn't going to help us. I don't think that Japan, one of the most war-loving nations of our time, is going to lay down its arms like that. Germany is another nation that I don't trust. After the armistice wears off, I'm afraid of war here.
Al: After the Imperialism of the last twenty-four years, I think the world can do with some peace. Besides, this will give Russia time to develop itself after the Great War.
Joe: Russia? Do you really trust those communists? They might be Democratically elected, but that doesn't a good or trust-worthy leader make. Look at TR!

As much as I respected Al Smith, that long forgotten conference may very well have helped Germany rise to power. With nations like England and us more concentrated on peace-time domestic spending during the twenties, and the late thirties, I think that gave a lease on life to others such as Japan and Russia.

-Almost President, Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

Now! A number of you have been wondering for a while whether I'm going to run for President against that Papist traitor corporatist Al Smith! Now, I'm not too sure yet, but I just may! In that Oval Office of his I see him disgracing the legacy of President Robinson and I don't like it and I don't think the rest of you like it either! A man who did so much for the workin' man and did so much for the farmer gone like that just because someone had horrible aim when trying to kill the man who sits in the Oval Office now!

-Oklahoma Governor William H Murray, November 16th, 1923

Murray's eventual challenge of the incumbent Smith proved to only be a symptom of the over-all collapse of the Democratic party. Soon, others would join him in opposing the President despite the "ray of hope" on the horizon for the economy and the overall peace-time that the world was experiencing after World War I.

Meanwhile, in late 1923, a meeting between several Conservatives and Conservative sympathizers would take place. Whiel the total amount of those attending is not known, those rumored to be ther are: Governor Calvin Coolidge (R-MA), Former Commerce Secretary Henry Ford (D-MI), Ohio State Representative Robert Taft (R-OH), newspaper publisher Arthur Vandenerg (R-MI), Senator James Phelan (D-CA), Governor James Cox (D-OH), Congressman John Garner (D-TX), Former Senator John W Weeks (R-MA), and former Secretary of State Hanry Cabot Lodge (R-MA).

It would be soon after that meeting that the Conservative Party would declare its creation and another step towards our modern political system would be taken.

[historybuff]

Smith could have his hands full.

[Cathcon1]

Coming up (maybe today, tomorrow, or sometime during the week): the 1924 Presidential election!

[Cathcon1]

The 1924 Presidential Election

Over the past four years the country had faced economic uncertainty as well as political turmoil. The Republican Party had been reduced to a few quibbling moderates in Congress not sure of what to do and a large number who seemed to be drifitng towards this rumor of a "Conservative Party". Meanwhile, the Democrats instead of facing abandonment, faced all out war over leadership with several attempted coups of Congressional leadership and a President facing primary challenges. It was with this background that the 1924 election was to unfold.

-End of an Era; The death of the two-party system, George C Lodge

The 1924 Democratic Nomination

What have I campaigned all my political life? The three C's, Corporations, Carpetbaggers, and Coons! I think that the President is for all three of these with his tax-cuts, his Northern bias, and his failed attempt at what he calls "Civil Rights"! Hah! And now, after three terms as your Governor, Oklahoma, I'm running for President of the United States!

-Oklahoma Governor William H Murray announcing a Presidential bid, November 25th, 1923

Governor William H "Alfalfa Bill" Murray, the Populist

I believe, that in order to preserve Conservatism in this party, should it be lost forever, that I shall run for President. Robinson's failed economic agenda was the result of government, since at least 1912, having weighed down the free market and crushed business' ability to expand and hire. That is why I am running for President.

-Virginia Senator Carter Glass announcing his intentions to run against President Smith, December 5th, 1923

Senator Carter Glass (D-VA), the Conservative

December 10th, 1923...
Joe: Look, Al. Are you sure that running for re-election is the right choice? The Conservatives and the Populists are challenging you and in this environment, I doubt our chances to get you past your own party, let alone be accepted by the American people. You can always come back after your successor, whoever it is, has shown he is a failure.
Al: Joe, I appreciate your concern. However, I'll announce. We've got to finish this job and make America right, no matter what mess Roosevelt and Robinson got us into. I believe we can win. The Republicans are falling apart and we're beating the Progressives outside of the West.
Joe: Should you fail, I don't think the Democrats would ever accept you. I think we'd be doomed to be the party of Alfalfa Bill for all of eternity, assuming the party even survives.
Al: I think we can win and if I feel we have any chance at all at winning, I'm running. And I feel we have a chance.

Yes, yes I will run for re-election. Over the past year since I took office I have worked towards an economic recovery and I think that we are on the road to that despite what the critics say. My combination of corporate and working class tax cuts combined with initiatives to help the working man are paying off and will be fully realized, I believe by the end of my second term.

-President Al Smith announcing a run for re-election, December 13th, 1924

In order to stand up for true Liberalism in the party, I too will run against President Smith. He hasn't bettered the economic condition any bit and in fact, in my opinion, has disrupted any road to recovery that might have been because of his policies to the contrary of President Robinson.

-California Congressman Will G McAdoo announcing his challenge to President Smith, January 2nd, 1924

Congressman William G McAdoo (D-CA), the Liberal

It was against those three candidates-the Populist, the Conservative, and the Liberal, that Smith would fight throughout the primaries. Despite losing a majority of the primaries except those in the North, the primaries had little bearing over who the nominee would be.
At the convention, in an effort to win Western Populist as well as Western Liberals, Smith made a promise. He announced the choice of Governor Charles W Bryan, brother of the famous populist William Jennings Bryan. Both Bryans themselves had barely decided to stay with the Democratic Party. This proved instrumental in helping to win pieces of the West and keep Liberals in some form or another voting Democratic one more time. However, that would not be the last the Democrats would see of William H Murray.

-End of an Era: The death of the Two-Party system, George C Lodge

The 1924 Progressive Nomination

In the Senate for the last eight years, I have led the Progressives and have successfully pioneered Progressive goals in order to further aid the working class of this nation. I have opposed war and stood up for civil rights. Now, I wish to take these assets to the Presidency and to stop the dangerous agenda of the Democrats, and I want you to be there with me!

-Senate Majority Leader Robert M Lafollette of Wisconsin, announcing his candidacy before a crowd of supporters, October 7th, 1923

Senate Majority Leader Robert LaFollette (P-WI), the "True Progressive"

In order to help our economy recover, I bring business experience. Not only that, but I also bring experience from helping aid reconstruction of Europe after the Great War, and having attempted to cross partisan lines to aid in economic recovery. In this time of economic toil, America needs that experience. That is why I am running. the so-called recovery is not working, and I think that I can make it work.

-Former Ambassador Herbert Hoover announcing his Presidential candidacy October 26th, 1923

Former Ambassador to France Herbert Hoover (P-CA), the Moderate

During the Great War, I helped to give Ameria victory! Working with President Roosevelt, internationally America was seen as a symbol of greatness, and it was known that our military would be able to stand any challenge, bear any burden. However, I fear that that greatness has since receeded with this horrible recession. Along with that, this horrible arms agreement only a few months ago agreeing to the de-comissioning of thrity of our navy's ships is another step towards the declining greatness of America that shone so bright only three years ago. Today, I am announcing my running to stop this downward slope.

-Former Secretary of War Leonard Wood annoucing his Presidential candidacy with the backing of former President Roosevelt, November 4th, 1923

Former War Secretary Leonard Wood (P-NH), the Imperialist

The surprising thing about the fight for the Progressive nomination was that former Vice-President Hiram Johnson declined to run. It's theorized among historians and those close to him that he believed that with LaFollette taking the hard-line Progressive/Liberal vote and Wood running with Roosevelt's endorsement, that he beleived there was no room for him. Also interesting is that no Roosevelt entered the contest. Neither former Labor Secretary Franklin D Roosevelt, who had also been elected to the Senate in 1920, nor New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt Jr. threw their hats in the ring for the nomination.
That left LaFollette, the Senate Majority Leader, the favorite for the nomination and Wood with a close second. Hoover trailed in third but had good contacts with more moderate Progressives and Progressives in the business community such as former Interior Secretary Stephen Mather.
In the primaries, with the charismatic Roosevelt campaigning full time for his man Leonard Wood, Wood won a number of primaries easily, especially those in the North-East. However, the West was dicey between Roosevelt's popularity and LaFollete's better connection to the West.
At the Progressive Party convention, held in New York City that year, LaFollette, after several ballots, was able to win the nomination, but only with Hoover's endorsement and pledging of delegates over to him. In order to make peace with the Roosevelt wing of the party, former War Secretary Wood was chosen.

-End of an Era; the death of the two-party system, George C Lodge

The 1924 Republican Nomination

The Republican Party, lacking clear leadership, nominated Senator Smith W Brookhart of Iowa for President and Congressman Theodore E Burton of Ohio for Vice-President. As with all the other nominees, President Smith would go on to face the ticket in the general election.

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

Republican Nominee Smith W Brookhart of Iowa

The 1924 Conservative Nomination

Having examined the current American political system, from the Democrats, to the Progressives, and to the Republicans, we addressing you have determined that there no longer is any party truly representing Conservativism in the United States of America. Therefore, we have taken it upon ourselves to create the American Conservative Party which will stand in contrast to the others because of its representation of true Conservatism.

-Letter sent by the Conservative Party announcing its creation March 3rd, 1924

Ladies and gentlemen of the Conservative Party, nominated here before you is the Conservative Party Presidential ticket of 1924, Senator James Phelan of California and former Commerce Secretary Henry Ford of Michigan!

-Ohio State Representative Robert Taft nominating the Conservative ticket at the Conservative Party convention in Detroit, Michigan

Robert Taft (C-OH), Conservative Rising Star

The Conservative Party nomination had been carefully planned. Despite Phelan's only narrow political win in 1920 over his challenger, he had been able to win in the West and also had executive experience from his days as Mayor of San-Francisco. In the crowded field, it was believed that he had a very realistic chance of winning California. As for Ford, Ford was popular. He was nationally known as one of the nation's greatest businessmen in his years before and after Commerce Secretary. Not only that, but he brought on much of the Northern business community and had experience dealing in Washington. While the Conservative Party leadership had attempted to attract a southerner, Congressman John Nance Garner had decided to wait until the party was better established to run for President, and Senator Carter Glass simply declined to run.

-End of an Era; the collapse of the two-party system, George C Lodge

Senator James Phelan (C-CA), the first ever Conservative Party nominee

The General Election

President Smith faced an up-hill battle for re-election. However, a number of factors led to his victory. For one, his running-mate was Charles W Bryan who was able to bring on Western states. That seriously wounded the Progressive campaign. Another thing was the the Conservatives had a chance of taking California which had been a principle part of the two last Progressive Party victories. For another thing, the Conservative Party had basically ripped chunks out of the Republican Party and they faced what could possibly be a bigger loss than in 1912. On election night, no-one knew what the outcome might be.

1. President Alfred E Smtih (D-NY)/Governor Charles W Bryan (D-NE) 276 electoral votes, 36.2% of the popular vote
2. Senate Majority Leader Robert M LaFollette (P-WI)/Former Secretary of War Leonard Wood (P-NH) 184 electoral votes, 32.8% of the popular vote
3. Senator James Phelan (C-CA)/Former Commerce Secretary Henry Ford (C-MI) 67 electoral votes, 19.3% of the popular vote
4. Senator Smith W Brookhart (R-IA)/Congressman Theodore E Burton (R-OH) 4 electoral votes, 11.2% of the popular vote
5. Others (Socialist, Prohibition) .5%

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

[Cathcon1]

There, it took quite a while, so I hope you're happy.

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Cathcon1

There, it took quite a while, so I hope you're happy.

So the GOP nominess for POTUS and VP sweep the South, but lose their home states?

[Cathcon1]

Originally Posted by Wendell

So the GOP nominess for POTUS and VP sweep the South, but lose their home states?

I said at the beginning of the thread that I'm using a website that for some reason has the colors reveresed for Democrat and Republican. I would color the writing underneath, but for some reason my user specifically won't show text colorings. In this Democrats are red (I don't know why), and Republicans are blue. It really doesn't matter though as soon those two colors will become irrelevant anyway.

[DSS]

Excellent job so far!

And btw, how did you get the yellow color for the Conservative Party on the election map? It was my understanding that, at most, you only had Red (Democrat), Blue (Republican), and Green (Independent/Third Party) to choose from for every election on the site. Is there some way to get that yellow color?

[Cathcon1]

Originally Posted by President DudeAlmighty

Excellent job so far!

And btw, how did you get the yellow color for the Conservative Party on the election map? It was my understanding that, at most, you only had Red (Democrat), Blue (Republican), and Green (Independent/Third Party) to choose from for every election on the site. Is there some way to get that yellow color?

Well, a couple months ago you had to fiddle with the map code. For every state there was a group of three numbers like "2;6;5". I'm not sure in which order they are, but the first one was the number of the party color. 1=red, 2=blue, 3=Green, 4=Yellow, 5=Orange/Brown, 0=gray. However, now there's a feature on the map-maker that makes it so that you can choose how many independents there are on a map. By default per map you get red and blue and maybe an independent if it's a certain year (1912, 1992, 1968). Now, you can add green (if you don't already have it) and yellow, along with gray. It was the result of complaints on the behalf of timeline writers who wanted to add third, foruth, and fifth parties. My only complaint is not being able to have orange. You have to edit the map code for that.

Also, thanks.

[Cathcon1]

As a preview of what may be to come (emphasis on "may be"), I found a book titled "Lindbergh" lying around my house that could used as good research material.

[Cathcon1]

Hopefully I'll update soon, though right now I'm not sure what to update about.

[Cathcon1]

President Smith greeting friends in New York the day after election day

Coming into Al Smith's first full term, there would be changes. For personal, political, practical, and popularity reasons, the cabinet would be switched up, with certain members being allowed to stay, certain members, leaving, and some spots being switched up. Among the major switches were War Secretary Newton Baker becoming the Labor Secretary, and Navy Secretary Joe Kennedy becoming War Secretary. While Smith preferred to have Kennedy as Treasury Secretary, Kennedy's experience managing the navy and fellow belief in non-interventionism made him Smith's choice for War Secretary, despite differences. To replace the late Agriculture Secretary Henry C Wallace, former Senator Gilbert Hitchcock would be brought on, symbolizing the limited influence that the Bryan family would have. Perhaps the most publicized cabint change up would be Interior Secretary Alfred Pomerene leaving to be replaced by former Ambassador to France and well known businessman Herbert C Hoover, a known moderate Progressive who had run for the Progressive nomination in 1920 and 1924. Hoover and Smith had never been on the best of terms. Hoover had, during the 1924 campaign for President, had talked about the idea of American being ruled by "the invisible hand of the Pope in Rome" because of Al Smith's Presidency, and there were the obvious differences over the issue of prohibition, with Smith being a "wet" and Hoover being a "dry". However, Hoover also had a streak that wanted to help the nation no matter who was President, and he was willing to step on as Interior Secretary. Hoover's tenure as Interior Secretary would be spent working on rural infrastrucutre projects and strengthening government effectiveness and efficiency.

-Empire Statesman; The Rise and Reign of Al Smith, Robert A Slayton

The Cabinet of President Alfred E Smith as of 1925

Secretary of State: Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ)*
Secretary of the Treasury: Woodbridge N Ferris (D-MI)***
Secretary of War: Joseph P Kennedy (D-MA)**
Attorney General: John B Payne (D-IL)*
Postmaster General: James Farley (D-NY)*
Secretary of the Navy: Cordell Hull (D-TN)***
Secretary of the Interior: Herbert C Hoover (P-CA)***
Secretary of Agriculture: Gilbert M Hitchcok (D-NE)***
Secretary of Commerce: Jesse H Jones (D-TX)*
Secretary of Labor: Newton D Baker (D-OH)**

*Keep from first term
**Was in original cabinet, but put in a different position
***New

Smith began his first term attempting to usher in the economic recovery he had been promising the American people. With Conservative Commerce Secretary Jesse H Jones and Progressive Interior Secretary Herbert Hoover, Smith worked to creat a two-pronged attack on the recession, which included pro-farmer and pro-city government initiatives to either help the poor, or even better to get them back to work, while at the same time using pro-business incentives to help increase commerce. It was hoped that with these two goals, the economy would recover by either 1926 or 1928. At that point, Smith wasn't sure if he would be running for re-election in 1928 or not, but he hoped he could make the economy as good as possible by that point. His "two-pronged attack" would be difficult to balance and gain support for, but historians and economists, as well as most of Middle America who are aware of the economic and political situation of the 1920's will say that it worked.

-Empire Statesman; The Rise and Reign of Al Smith, Robert A Slayton

For the Conservative Party, things were looking up. Despite coming in third behind the Democrats led by President Al Smith and the Progressives led by Robert M La Follette, they had beat out the Republican Party which appeared to be dying off incredibly fast. Their success in Northern states as well as in taking California (by a plurality), ahd attracted more Republicans. However, Conservative Democrats didn't appear as ready to move. Smith was governing largely as a moderate and had actually done more to anger Liberals in the party than Conservatives. Congressmen, such as John Nance Garner of Texas, who had joined with the Progressives, was still unwilling to completely break with the Democrats, and had run for re-election in 1924 as the nominee of both the Democrats and Conservatives. As for other Conservative Democrats such as Carter Glass, they were unwilling to leave the party at all. It appeared they were waiting for the proper sign and the proper indication that Conservatism really was over.

In 1925, it appeared that a significant chunk of the Conservative leadership would be gone because of one thing: death. Former Senator John W Weeks, former Secretary of State Henry Cabot Lodge, and Senator Warren Harding were all dead by 1925 and the Conservatives were looking for a new stock of leadership. New leaders of the party, such as Governors John W Davis and Calvin Coolidge, became the face of the party, and there was a lot of speculation about at least one of them joining the 1928 Conservative ticket. However, as of the moment, the Conservatives were focused on Congressional and Gubernatorial races in 1926. The 1928 election would have to wait.

Meanwhile, the Progressives were themselves looking for a clear leader of the party in the Senate, as Bob La Follette had declined re-election to run for President in what lookes at the time like an easy Progressive victory. They found it in former Vice-President Hiram Johnson, who, after the Vice-Presidency, had been elected to the Senate in 1922 and easily joined the leadership. Despite having been part of the Administration to involve the United States in two wars, Johnson remained a staunch isolationist and when running for Senate Majority Leader in 1925 was endorsed by former Majority Leader La Follette, as well as his son, Bob La Follette Jr., who had succeeded his father in the Senate.

-End of an Era; the death of the two-party system, George C Lodge

Hiram Johnson (Progressive-California)
California Governor (1911-1913), Vice-President (1913-1921), California Senator (1923), and by 1925, Senate Majority Leader

Let us never forget Government's obligation to the poor, the young, the old, the mis-treated, and all those facing troubles. Let us never forget our obligation to serve them.

Senate Majority Leader Hiram Johnson addressing the Senate March 19th, 1925

[historybuff]

Not bad, pretty good cabinet for Smith's first term.

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Cathcon1

I said at the beginning of the thread that I'm using a website that for some reason has the colors reveresed for Democrat and Republican. I would color the writing underneath, but for some reason my user specifically won't show text colorings. In this Democrats are red (I don't know why), and Republicans are blue. It really doesn't matter though as soon those two colors will become irrelevant anyway.

My fault. I should have looked at the numbers I actually like their color scheme.

[DSS]

Originally Posted by Cathcon1

Well, a couple months ago you had to fiddle with the map code. For every state there was a group of three numbers like "2;6;5". I'm not sure in which order they are, but the first one was the number of the party color. 1=red, 2=blue, 3=Green, 4=Yellow, 5=Orange/Brown, 0=gray. However, now there's a feature on the map-maker that makes it so that you can choose how many independents there are on a map. By default per map you get red and blue and maybe an independent if it's a certain year (1912, 1992, 1968). Now, you can add green (if you don't already have it) and yellow, along with gray. It was the result of complaints on the behalf of timeline writers who wanted to add third, foruth, and fifth parties. My only complaint is not being able to have orange. You have to edit the map code for that.

Also, thanks.

Thanks, that's a new thing I'll throw into my future TL.