I Feel as Strong as a Bull Moose!

[The Govanah Jake]

A Clash of the Factions: 1920 Republican Primary and National Convention




Harding "Front Porch Campaigning" from his home (Circa 1920).

Republicans had been in control of the White House for 28 full years now. The last democratic president Grover Cleveland was seen as a distant memory by now and the youth going into the 1920's would not remember him or any democrat in presidential office as of now. In fact some parents of that generation could not even remember the last time a Democrat as President. It seemed the United States had became a one party state with the Republicans in charge of the country while the Democrats are relegated to little more then the deep south and some outpost city's here and there.

The attitude was the dominant one for almost a decade now and the Republicans tried to enjoy that entitlement of being viewed as the main american party and use it to there advantage by getting as much republican policy's as possible to advance the cause of the Republican Party. They clearly were successful and the combined republican presidential terms of Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson had gotten in the most legislation by far of any previous administration and have by tenfolds between the two raised the power of government in the short time in office of just 8 years. They smashed the prevailing consensus of virtually no governmental intervention in the government by created dozens of new social programs which increased government power over the life's of the average american citizen.

From Healthcare to a Minimum wage to Prohibition and more, these new found programs made these two presidents be seen as the presidents of the working poor and working class. There unusual (for a republican) non hostility to labour unions helped raise there image among labour and many flocked to the republican party. Over 8 years of this thousands of former democrats or even socialists from labour unions or just regular factory workers found a home among the republican party. The progressives in the party viewed this as a net positive to help solidifies republican dominance over the country as they now have a brand new and powerful voting block at there side. They also saw this as a opportunity for not only the republican party to become the party of labour which Robert LaFollette wanted desperately to become but also to increase there power over the party compared to other factions.

The Progressives justified this by calling to Lincoln and his governmental power which increased dramatically when he was president calling him the first "Labour Republican". There message meant that the urban working poor could call the Republican Party its home at least partially and at least for now as the Democrats were in turmoil and in civil war. They also offered increased suffrage for poor African Americans in the deep south which was a big contrast from more moderates in the faction like TR.

They said that both the poor whites and blacks in the country seeked the same desires. This was seen by some in the party as just a political ploy to increase republican influence in the deep south and potential end the democratic deep south and they knew it. They knew that African Americans from there on out would be voting republican by 70-30%, 80-20% in the southern and northern states if legislation like Jim Crow were to be put to a end. With such a voting block and African Americans at the time making up to 50% in some deep south states, they knew if they gave them equal voting rights that the vote would go to them and with just a few more white voters from poorer regions like northern Alabama and Cajun country could flip states like Louisianan and Mississippi republican and ending the last democratic region of the country. But this never got off its feet as moderates lead by TR tried to save face among a mostly white and mostly anti-equal suffrage america.

When Hiram Johnson got into power he followed in TR's footsteps mostly never giving face or time to such "Radical and unrealistic" proposals. This was just a decoy for political gain and it would be later relieved in his 1940 memoir "Troubles in the House" that he actually support such ideas and wanted a end to Jim Crow and Poll Taxes but he knew that would be political suicide. Within the Progressive faction itself there was different factions within it split moderate and left wing.

The moderates were lead by TR himself who supported progressive policy's but didn't want radicals and extremists from labour to hold much influence over him and called them "One of the great enemy's of the working class: Extremists who try to unreasonably try to get all of there demands checked before listening to the other side". He said that extremists from labour unions who demand and demand and fail to listen to management are the reason why agreements are so lopsided in favor of management in the first place.

On the other side of the faction was the Progressive Left Wingers or the "Labourists". These were the Robert LaFolletes of the Faction. They believed like the moderate progressives that progressive policy and government intervention into the economy was a necessary good however they differed on how much and how far that should go. Unlike the Moderates these Left Progressives believed that true equality could only be achieved through government redistribution of wealth from the top on down. They called for a national wealth tax to end wealth inequality. Meanwhile they also believed that African Americans should get full suffrage and a end to Jim crow. The Moderates however responded by saying that the social programs of the former two president will naturally reduce inequality by increasing the average consumers standard of living which would give more incentive to grow more wealth faster.

The Left Progressive's have not gotten anywhere close to power yet and Hiram Johnson was certainly not one, they have continuously endorsed the progressive republican nominees and TR and HJ with some going to democrats and socialists seeking to first and foremost end the conservative faction in the party which they viewed as a necessary evil.

The Conservatives meanwhile in the party were hoping on 1920 to be there come back year. They were disappointed in 1912 and in 1916 when the more conservative options failed and decisively at that. This faction was lead by men like Elihu Root and Philander Knox who were both elder statesmen however were being enticed by up and new comers Warren G. Harding, Senator from Ohio and New governor from Massachusetts Calvin Coolidge.

Harding a charismatic and outgoing man, he represented a growing need for a form of populist conservatism the progressive populism seen. He called for the end of the social programs of the previous republican administrations in his own party and to "Return to Normalcy" in both Europe and in America. This meant a end to the chaotic post war European conflicts and also a end to the chaotic left wing which he viewed as ruining america. He wanted a Pre-Roosevelt america and used the republican party as a platform to get him there.

Meanwhile Coolidge was a different form of politicians. A much more quiet guy, he did not have the charisma and populist attitude of Harding but did have a extreme doctrine of conservatism which he stuck too and wanted the country to stick too. This meant virtually no governmental interference in the economy and a extreme form of isolationism not seen Cleveland and Harrison. This got him his own fans and grew his reputation greatly among conservatives.

But in the end they were all against the same ideology: Progressiveness in the Republican Party and saw it as a necessary evil and a anti-republican ideology. They would make 1920 there year and blitzkrieg the primary's which one of there own or try to oust the President at the republican national convention and make the 1920's a year of prosperity and limited government along with perfect and complete republicanism.

The primary season started in Late 1919 when Hiram Johnson declared to the press that he would be running for president. He said that he run again to continue the successful progressive agenda which he and TR had enacted over the last 8 years and to keep and expand it over the next 4 years. The President was popular among the people at the time and showed a 57% approval rating at the time by the Washington Post newspaper. He also had a popular image over the republican party itself with moderates in the party breaking big for him while progressives were divided between those who viewed him as unfit of TR's successor and those who didn't while the conservatives uniformly did not approve his administration. There was expected to be a primary challenge however from either the conservatives or the extreme left in the party unsatisfied who unliking of the president.

The first challenge came from little known Frank Orren Lowden, Governor from Illinois. A new and noted conservative, although he did not have the backing of the conservative establishment and although he knew his chances were unlikely. He thought that he could be a compromise candidate in case of a RNC deadlock. The next came from much more known and popular Warren G. Harding of Ohio. He right away had the conservative establishments endorsement and ran as the populist conservative candidate again Johnson.

There was speculation that Calvin Coolidge would run however decline stating that he preferred to lead to the people of Massachusetts as there governor and also said that he did not want to split conservatives vote and then he endorsed Harding saying he would make a fine president.

The final major candidate of the race to join surprisingly was Secretary of War John J. Pershing who called all major republican candidates isolationism a blow to american power and wanted to increase american presence through the world with international internationalist being the only one in the race and he quickly found support from former TR supporters who liked his internationalism and support for moderate progressive changes as well. Surprisingly no major left winger decided to join the race and progressive held the backing of the entire progressive wing wanted him to re-win nomination in fear of the other candidates.

[The Govanah Jake]

The first primary was on March 9th and in New Hampshire

Hiram Johnson: 39.48%
Warren G. Harding: 31.35%
John J. Pershing: 23.75%
Frank Orren Lowden: 3.10%

It was made surprisingly close by Harding and Pershing however Johnson won in the end here by 8 points giving him a delegate lead.

The Next three were the Dakotas and Michigan March 23rd - April 5th.

Johnson won big in North Dakota by 79% however was forced to go closer in South Dakota where he only won by 46% due to a strong Frank Orren Lowden performance along with Harding breaking 20% here. Meanwhile Harding won a small 36-34% upset over Johnson in the republican primary in Michigan giving him a small delegate lead.

The next states were New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Montana, and Massachusetts from April 6-27th.

Harding won the delegate rich states of New York and Illinois in a upset over Frank in his home state. Hiram however was able to hold a slim lead in delegates after big wins in the western primary's, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. John J. Pershing meanwhile dropped out.


The rest of the states from April 27th to June 5th involved many different states from many different parts of the country.

Hiram Johnson: 11 States, 35.32%
Warren G. Harding: 8 States, 40.04%
John J. Pershing: 0 States, 10.47%
Frank Orren Lowden: 10.04%

In the final stretch a very clear phenomenon appeared. Harding won the northeastern and most Midwestern states while Johnson won everywhere else plus Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Indiana, and Massachusetts. Harding won big in his home state of Ohio but was unseated in Indiana by Johnson and was forced to 43% by a strong Johnson performance in and around the working class county's near Scranton, Pittsburgh, and doing well in Philadelphia though not winning it.

Johnson on his part won big in all states out west minus Oregon which was a close 38-37% with a strong Harding performance. He won his highest percentage in native home state of California where he won 81% to Harding's measly 18%. and Frank's .5%. By now Frank Lowden had won no states even as a favorite son and won very few delegates and his chances were slim. It was now between Harding and Johnson and it was close.

The Primary's themselves were not that important and everyone knew that the party bosses controlled the RNC but right now even though Johnson was in a big delegate lead as most of the progressive and moderate establishment in the party backed him which had now had become overwhelming in the party. However Harding posed a major threat and had built up a sizable coalition of delegates and could claim a unimportant popular mandate among republicans which did not matter to the slightest.

The convention opened on June 8th and would last till June 11th. It would take place in the Chicago coliseum in Chicago, Illinois. It was the same spot as all other republican conventions since 1904. The two major factions listed would battle it out on the floor here until the nominee was decided. The balloting would begin at once and would go on 41 times until Hiram Johnson reached a deceive number of delegates needed to win the nomination.

Balloting

1.
Hiram Johnson: 304.5
Warren G. Harding: 294.6
John J. Pershing: 25.4
Frank Orren Lowden: 13

2.
Hiram Johnson: 310.5
Warren G. Harding: 300.6
John J. Pershing: 26.6
Frank Orren Lowden: 10

3.
Hiram Johnson: 300
Warren G. Harding: 295.6
John J. Pershing: 36.5
Frank Orren Lowden: 20

4.
Hiram Johnson: 310.5
Warren G. Harding: 300.6
John J. Pershing: 26.6
Frank Orren Lowden: 10

5.
Warren G. Harding: 311.3
Hiram Johnson: 309
Frank Orren Lowden: 35
John J. Pershing: 5

...

40.
Hiram Johnson: 542.8
Warren G. Harding: 405.4
Frank Orren Lowden: 100.8

41.
Hiram Johnson: 601
Warren G. Harding: 248.4
Frank Orren Lowden: 1.5

Meanwhile the Vice President was balloted and George W. Norris, popular among the base and party was re-elected on the first ballot.

Vice President Balloting

1.
George W. Norris: 795.5
Calvin Coolidge: 52.6

The conservatives and Harding would not take this, they demanded the republicans not fold to Johnson and threaten to walk out and form a third party if Harding or another conservative was not elected. There was a draft Coolidge movement which picked up steam by Coolidge denied any involvement in it. But after the 41st ballot the convention and party decided that Johnson would be renominated for a second term.

So in exchange Harding's 248 delegates staged a walk out and was joined by 210 more conservative delegates with a sprinkle of moderates in there. They threaten to leave if there demands were not meet and there demands were not meet. The Republican Party condemned this group calling for party unity. The situation tensed up as the delegates and Harding would not budge until a more conservative person was nominated.

Finally on June 23th the situation ended in chaos as the delegates left and re-entered the now empty Chicago Coliseum which was empty for a week now and declared a third party. The "American Conservative Party" or ACP was formed. Warren Harding was elected with a strong Calvin Coolidge write in campaign. He was nominated on the first ballot and as Vice President, the party elected Calvin Coolidge as a write in candidate. With a party divided by Ideology, can the republicans under Johnson manage to win in September?

[The Govanah Jake]

Democratic Upheaval: 1920 Democratic Primary and National Convention



Former Governor Cox campaigning for FDR during the Ohio Primary.

The 1920's were approaching fast and the decade would put a end to the turbulent 1910's at least to some people. The headaching close elections, the massive increase in what government was meant to be, a former president coming back to be re-elected over the current president, and so much more were including in his decade. The Progressive era which had started with Bryan's 1896 campaign had would become 24 years old in November of 1920 had shown the United States real progressive reform in the fiscal area and a safety net like the ones that were being developed in the western European country's such as Germany and the United Kingdom was born. However with age came decline and over time the progressive politics of the republicans and democrats and even the socialists (whose left wing electorate grew into a major third party) declined noticeably but was still going strong. The progressive era according to many historians such as Richard Hofstadter, famous liberal historian, who wrote in his 1955 book "The Age of Reform"

"To many the era of the rural populists and the progressive big city organizers combined with the help from Northeast/Midwest white Anglo Saxon protestant progressives such as the big names of Taft and Roosevelt is said to have reached its peak in and around the 1916 election. Of the three major candidates in the season of Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt and Socialist Eugene Debs, all of them were off the progressive left in there respective party's and that election was little less on policy substance yet more on how far to the left each of them were. Roosevelt making a respectable moderate Progressive streak combined with a popular war abroad was able to win himself a new term that night. But to the Left that day, the three options were all good to them. Wilson a Progressive Democrat and Debs a out and out socialist were all of good terms with the Left. To conservatives and the right that night, it was horror. The only candidate that was somewhat of a right winger in that race that got a good chunk was the Prohibition candidate yet got a measly 1.5% of the vote which was good for the prohibition party compared to past performances due to a influx of disaffected right wingers into the party but bad compared to the other three. However even Frank Hanly who was that party's nominee was a former progressive and held some progressive views himself and could best be described as a moderate. So with no options the right that night went to bed without going to the voting booth to vote".

The high point that night quickly vanished. The people had given TR another term but it wouldn't last long as even though he was massively popular he died in 1918 leaving his less popular and more rough edged successor Hiram Johnson as president in a turbulent post world war 1 time. Johnson had a very hard time holding the Progressive coalition which elected TR twice together and without Roosevelt's unifying charisma was quickly divided left and right.

By 1919 with most of america ready for a end to turbulent times took a massive turn to the right resulting in the "first red scare". Mass fear of communists roamed the streets of the major city's and looting and sacking of Socialist Party headquarters in the states became common. Eugene Debs was even put on trial for a open call to violence against the elites in the country which was largely motivated by the massive fear of socialists running in the country. In the following Debs v. The United States supreme court which was one of the most famous in history, Debs was charged for a calling for violence against a person/people which was shown as not protected under the First Amendment and sentenced to 9 years in prison without patrol.

The american left was extremely divided on this with some calling it justified while others calling it a suppression of free speech. The Socialist Party was increasingly demonized and would only increase going into 1920. But it wasn't only the Socialists which the public turned against, it was also the increasing progressive nature of the republican party under Hiram Johnson. The Presidents approval ratings took a dive from 74% in Early July, 1919 to a little over 55% in Early January, 1920.

But he still had a positive approval rating which helped him win his party's close primary's in 1920. But as mentioned, was made increasingly close by Harding's "Return to Normalcy" which struck a note among many Northeastern and Midwestern suburban, urban, and ancestral northern European areas in the region leading to wins in the primary's in these regions exactly.

While Johnson won in the end, the Right of the Party broke off and decided to form there own American Conservative Party right after the RNC. With a divided republican vote and a increased odds in a potential democratic takeover of the executive branch, Democrats really thought that the 1920's could be the first Democratic decade since the 1840's/1850's. And with that the Democratic primary's began and would prove to be a difficult one to say the lest.

The primary's system which was first developed in 1912 for both party's was upgraded for the time being into a delegate system by the states. They would be given different ways either from the primary's themselves or a state convention. 549 delegates was needed to win the primary's which meant the candidates needed to focus more on the primary's themselves and less on the conventions. And with that, the primary's started. In late 1919 many candidates through there hats into the ring with the main contenders by December 31st, 1919 being Senator from New York Franklin Delano Roosevelt, distant cousin of TR, Senator from Virginia Carter Glass, Representative and Senator from Pennsylvania Alexander Palmer, and Oscar Underwood. There even calls for Wilson to run again but he declined.

These men Represented the different factions of the party at the moment. FDR represented the Progressive democratic faction, Carter Glass representative the conservative and southern conservative faction, Palmer the moderate vote though partially split the progressive vote with FDR, and Underwood represented the southern populist faction although held economically progressive views which clashed with FDR and Palmer. Bigwig former governor of Ohio James M. Cox was also tempted to run but in the end endorsed FDR. On January 5th, meanwhile a primary poll for the democratic primary was published by the New York Times:

1920 Democratic Primary, January 5th, 1920

Franklin Roosevelt: 28%
Carter Glass: 20%
Alexander Palmer: 15%
Oscar Underwood: 13%
Undecided: 21%

What it showed that the early favorite FDR was in the lead however Carter Glass was not far behind with 20% with Palmer in 3rd and Oscar Underwood in 4th. The campaign of January up to the primary's in March because of this became the most competitive and hostile for the democratic primary in decades. Glass went on the attack calling FDR "A Socialist" and a "Enemy to the American People". Glass would say that FDR being from New York would not represent the needs of the south like a southerner would in attempt to consolidate the powerful southern democratic block in his favor in a success.

Meanwhile Roosevelt called Glass a "Klan Supporting fool stuck in the past" and said if they nominated glass that "the only area where glass would win would be the deep south and nowhere else because that is where his Klan base resides". Palmer kept dropping in poll after poll and by early February was in last with 5%. Underwood surprisingly was able to run a populist campaign which could appeal to the labour unions and all of the south minus the ones dominated by Glass.

He bumped to 20% in the polls in 3rd behind Glass and Roosevelt as they swapped 1st and 2nd positions alot. In Mid February in fact he was leading according to WaPost 32% to Roosevelt's 30% and Glasses 29%. He resided from that high but made a name for himself and his prominent stature within the party and Washington was able to make him competitive in the race.

On February 26th, Alexander Palmer dropped out of the race with most of his support splitting between the top three candidates and now it was majorly a three man race. And then the Primary's began on March 9th in New Hampshire. This would be the first primary however there were state conventions before which already gave delegates to candidates. The Democratic Party in New Hampshire voted..

[The Govanah Jake]

Democratic Primary 1920 continued.

(All Delegates listed are only from the Primary's, not the conventions so some delegates will be missing)

Franklin Roosevelt: 42.75%, 4 Delegates
Carter Glass: 31.13%, 3 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 20.18%, 1 Delegate

In a big victory for FDR, he won the state by 11% sweeping all county's in the primary and securing a delegate lead.

The next primary was in the Dakotas and Michigan from March 16th to April 5th.

Carter performed well in the Dakotas winning South Dakota 63-21% over Roosevelt and barely losing North Dakota. Meanwhile in a close three way race, Michigan voted narrowly for Roosevelt due to Detroit.

Franklin Roosevelt: 24 Delegates
Carter Glass: 19 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 11 Delegate

The next primary's were New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, and Nebraska from April 6th to April 20th

Roosevelt easily won his Home State of New York while Underwood won surprisingly in Wisconsin, Roosevelt again in Illinois though Carter made that up with big wins in Nebraska and Georgia though in Georgia there was reports of fraud in his favor over Underwood who was the poor mans candidate in most of the deep south.

Franklin Roosevelt: 106 Delegates
Carter Glass: 101 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 69 Delegate

This was followed by primary's in Montana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, the Territory of Alaska, and California from April 23rd to May 4th

Roosevelt won in Montana, Massachusetts, and California while Glass won in Alaska, Ohio, and New Jersey.

Franklin Roosevelt: 178 Delegates
Carter Glass: 169 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 77 Delegate

Next up was Alabama, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Oregon, and the Territory of Hawaii from May 10th to May 22nd.

Roosevelt won in Pennsylvania and Vermont while Glass won Oregon and Hawaii and Alabama.


Franklin Roosevelt: 231 Delegates
Carter Glass: 225 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 92 Delegate

The final primary's were in Texas, West Virginia, Florida, and Washington DC from May 25th to June 10th

Roosevelt won in West Virginia over Underwood and Glass and DC while Glass won the Rest

Carter Glass: 276 Delegates
Franklin Roosevelt: 255 Delegates
Oscar Underwood: 105 Delegate

The primary's have ended and the result makes things even more difficult. Glass is able to unseat FDR for most delegates even though as a underdog. But he was far from a 546 majority and a contested convention would result. The Democratic National Convention would convene on June 28th in the San Francisco, California Civic Auditorium.

It would last until July 6th. At the opening the main too candidates were Roosevelt and Glass with Underwood and his delegates as a potential deal breaker. Balloting began and like in the RNC would take a long time for there to be a conclusion. For the first 10 ballots Roosevelt's gained 15 delegates to Glasses 5 while Underwood lost 1. In the next 10 Roosevelt gained 55 more gaining a lead over Glass as Glass only gains 23 and Underwood gains 2.

In the next 10 there begin to be talks of a compromise candidate since as a draft Wilson or a draft Marshall movement and also a draft Al Smith Movement who was the new governor from New York and a Progressive Reformer. By Ballot 39 it was Glass 385-Roosevelt 363.8-Smith 258.4-Underwood 201.6-Wilson 184.2-Marshall 19.6. On Ballot 44 on hearing on the draft movement, Wilson pledged his delegates to FDR not wanting part in the nomination process giving Roosevelt 436.8. Marshall on Ballot 45 also gave his delegates to FDR who was now at 474.3.

By Ballot 50 it was Roosevelt 492.6 to Glasses 397.8 and Underwood 181.6 and Smiths 101.5. On Ballot 54 Smith dropped out and his delegates went mostly in Roosevelt who was now at 503.6 almost near 546 needed to win. However on Ballot 59 seeing he would not win this nomination, Underwood dropped out and let his delegates go to where there want to go. His southern delegates which were the majority of his delegates went overwhelmingly for Glass with more liberal delegates going to FDR. With this it was now 531.9 to Roosevelt's 526.8.

In a final speech to the convention Glass called for unity and to unite behind a "common sense" candidate which was him and not someone radical. He repeated Harding's "a return to normalcy" phrase in the speech. With this it pushed him over the edge and he cracked 546 and got 549.5 to Roosevelt's 540. The remaining delegates went to Glass and he won the nomination around 650 over Roosevelt's estimated 540. FDR conceded and Glass became the democratic nominee becoming the first conservative democratic nominee since Cleveland and stated he would be like Cleveland a democratic president. The vice presidential nominee was balloted and the ticket was reinforced with southern democrat David R. Francis, former Missouri Governor.

The Glass/Francis ticket was born![/size]

[The Govanah Jake]

Any Comments, Questions, or Concerns as I move on?

[Bidenworth2020]

yes, why does ND go for Roosevelt but SD and NE don't? pls respond.

[The Govanah Jake]

yes, why does ND go for Roosevelt but SD and NE don't? pls respond.

The Democratic Primary's both then and now in North Dakota have historically been less in voter turnout and turn-up compared to Nebraska and South Dakota in the same sort of democratic primaries. Now this may be because there is less voters in the state or the democratic party in the state is less prominent however lack of voter turn-up can lead to diluted margins and lead to more complex options then just a strong say "glass" state in this case sample. Combine that with the fact that from 1932 to 1944 minus 1936, Roosevelt performed better in the Democratic Primary in North Dakota then in the south and he even lost the state of South Dakota in 1940 to unpledged delegates and also the fact that more often then not North Dakota in the Primary's has voted for the more populist or progressive candidate at least up to that point more times then South Dakota and Nebraska which have more conservative democratic voters in the states. So for these reasons i decided to give the state to Roosevelt compared to SD and NE

[The Govanah Jake]

A Third Party Struggles: The 1920 Socialist National Convention



Morris Hillquit with Jim Maurer and Meyer London after 1918 meeting with Hiram Johnson

Entering the 1920's as a major party was seen as one of the major goals of the Socialist party going from 1912 and on towards 1916-1920. 1912 and 1916 were just a test to see how much the Socialists could garner in the popular vote and electoral vote however 1920-1924-1928 will be when the socialists finally gain national prominence and break from the 20% and 50 electoral vote choke hold 1912 and 1916 brought the party.

The 1920's would be a Socialist Decade, a decade when the Proletariat class and the working class would remove the chains of the oppressive class system and fight the bourgeoisie directly. For far too long these people have been fooled by "progressives" like Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Hiram Johnson who say they want to change the system but in the end due little more then give some improvements to the workers conditions while maintaining the bourgeoisie system. This was the view held by many prominent Socialists including Eugene Debs who even said himself:

"The 1920's will be a workers decade whether we like it or not".
 
Other socialists were not as enthusiastic about such a thing occurring and people like former Milwaukee mayor and former vice presidential running mate for the socialist party Allan Benson say the changing rightward shift of the american electorate and said to the Daily Worker how:

"Many members of the (Socialist) party have a false illusion that the 1920's are anything but the usual in American Politics. To those who believe this are duly misinformed. If anything judging by recent activities in both major party's i believe it will be quite the opposite. In my opinion the next decade will be one under a mass illusion of a supposed "End to Normalcy" however what this really means is the issues that made this decade one of the most important seen yet to the workers conditions will disappear and remain obscure. But most will not see this hidden clause and fall for this illusion and they already are. If, we, party members want to stop this. We cant be reliant on electoral politics. We must stand up and fight this and show and tell the workers of the United States that we will not take oppression and depression just for corporate profit".

There was also disputes within the party on where to go next. This decade showed that a Democratic Socialist populist party like the Socialists under Debs could make great strides in american politics and advance there message. Debs was among the people who thought that this type of party was the best for success and said in a speech in Kansas City in 1917 that only under this style of ideology can a party succeed and allow for more diversity within the Socialist cause.

However he faced disputes from other members of the party such as by the likes of Maximilian Cohen who said that "Socialism and the Liberation of the Worker is more appealing to the US electorate then a little more a extension to the left of the Republican and Democratic Party". Him and others argued that under Debs the Party had become no difference from the Progressives in the major party's. They argued that only a party based on pure socialism can best represent labour and the left. These members within the party formed the Left Wing Section of the party while Debs and most of the rest formed a mainstream Socialist alliance.

Debs tried his best as a basic leader of the party to unite both wings and he knew that a divided socialist vote would never get more then 5% of the vote. When the left of the party threatened to break away in 1920 if the party continues to go astray from its original message, Debs said that they are hurting Socialism more then helping it. Now he could of been right or not however what he was right on was the fact that this division hurt the party greatly. A Late 1919 poll on the nationwide popularity of each party showed the socialist party had 43-46% approval-unapproved rating and this was due to the sharp turn towards the right that occurred in mid to late 1919.

These numbers only decreased and increasing fears of a socialist takeover like in those of Germany and France in the United States was becoming increasingly feared upon in hysterical proportions. This lead to riots in and near socialist headquarters in alot of the lower 48 states and even looting in May of 1920 in its NYC location. This reached its peak in the "Debs V. US Supreme Court" case in which Eugene Debs was arrested for incitement of violence against the elites. Arguing it as not incitement of violence but instead justified anger and said it was part of the freedom of speech. He appealed to the US Supreme Court and in a 6-3 decision on February 15th, 1920 it was decided that the constitution does not cover "speech that can provoke violence" and Debs was sent to jail for a decade with no patrol time. This was one of the most divide in the courts history as even though it went past the court pretty fast, the backlash lasted for much longer.

There were those on the left who supported Debs and all of the Party were behind him. Meanwhile many Progressives too disagreed with the court case saying that it was just influenced by popular shift in opinion in the time not in actual law or in the constitution. Hiram Johnson did not take a position and spoke as little on this as possible and when did said that the constitution does not protect Debs actions. Meanwhile everyone else agreed with the court with very few in the middle ground and this "everyone else" was most American's. With Debs in prison, the party was in disarray. Who would lead the Party?. Debs was a very popular figure and brought the party to greatness. He lead the party for nearly 20 years so who could fill his shoes.

Who could unite both sides like he did? These were the questions that plagued the 1920 Socialist Convention which occurred in NYC from June 19th to June 26th. It had been delayed for nearly a month due to looting via riot in mid May. The convention started with mass confusion as there had suppose to be a speech by Debs to unite the party and bring in the convention. Since he was imprisoned there was no such thing and nothing was planned in its place. Late in the day order was convened and the balloting would begin.

The major people in the party to put there names in the ballots were Norman Thomas, unknown to many however was the 1913 Socialist candidate for NYC mayor and gained 22% of the vote in the most for the party ever in the city, Co founder of the party and famous for his speeches Morris Hillquit, Alfred Wagenknecht who was a member of the National Executive Committee of the Socialist Party, Benjamin Gitlow who was a prominent member of the left wing of the party, and Bill Haywood who was a founding member and leader of the Industrial Workers of the World and known Socialists.

There were many other minor members but these were the major ones. The first ballot was voted on. There were 500 total delegates with each as a ballot and 500 more to be divided between the final too candidates or three. 250 was needed to win:

1st:
Morris Hillquit - 184.7
Norman Thomas - 93.3
Bill Haywood - 83.5
Benjamin Gitlow - 50.7
Alfred Wagenknecht - 24.9

Morris Hillquit was seen by many to be a natural successor and was by far the first choice so far of the party. But the unexpected rise of unknown Norman Thomas lead him to fail to get a majority of 250 ballots. Ballots 2 - 10 were cast and they were inconclusive. Ballot 10 showed none in a majority:

10th
Morris Hillquit - 216.8
Norman Thomas - 110.5
Alfred Wagenknecht - 29.3
Bill Haywood - 67.1
Benjamin Gitlow - 14.9

On the 11th ballot Gitlow dropped out and on the 13th so did Haywood both seeing there candidacy as not going anywhere. Haywood gave his delegates to Hillquit while Gitflow gave his to the convention and floor who then spread mostly to Thomas.

On the 15th it was shown to be a too man race as Wagenknecht dropped out and gave his delegates to Hillquit and put him over the edge. He had been nominated

15th
Morris Hillquit - 608.5
Norman Thomas - 300.3

The final ballot on the 16th showed a decisive Thomas defeat

15th
Final Nomination
Morris Hillquit - 646.2
Norman Thomas - 353.8

Thomas conceded and the next day Hillquit gave his nomination speech saying that the greatness of the party shall continue. His Vice President was also chosen from 1000 delegates:

Vice Presidental Nomination
Sam DeWitt: 508.5
C. E. Ruthenberg: 218.5
Robert M. La Follette Jr: 139.3
Louis C. Fraina: 49.6
Others: 83.6

The nomination was his and the Hillquit/DeWitt ticket was born in a increasingly unfriendly America.

[Bidenworth2020]

man, i am really enjoying this!


P.S.- I would appreciate it if you let MD play a big part in this election?

[The Govanah Jake]

man, i am really enjoying this!


P.S.- I would appreciate it if you let MD play a big part in this election?

Thank You!

MD was a historic swing state at this time so i'll see what i can do.

[Don Vito Corleone]

What's Robert Lafollette up to?

[The Govanah Jake]

What's Robert Lafollette up to?

He is currently Secretary of Labor and was known in the Johnson years for his infighting with Johnson and also with TR during his time as SOL under his second administration due to the war (TR was a interventionist while LaFollette was not. Before that he was a Wisconsin Senator however he isn't going anywhere right yet so he shouldn't be forgotten.

[The Govanah Jake]

Chapter 11: All Hell breaks Lose!|A tale of the 1920 Campaign



Italian Revolutionary Guard posing for photo after capture of Turin against Government forces.(1921)

With each party's major nominee decided the campaign could begin. After facing a brutal challenge from the party's conservative wing, Hiram Johnson is able to make it through the ballot process and becomes his parties nominee. It wasn't easily and in fact he lost the popular vote in the primary's by 5% and was forced to go through 41 ballots of brutalizing intensity and closeness. But in the end there simply wasn't enough delegates left for Harding to win and Johnson on the 41st won a majority of delegates at the RNC. In protest Harding and others left the RNC and protested outside for nearly 2 weeks. They couldn't come to a agreement as the Harding Camp wanted either him or another Conservative nomination arguing "The people want a real conservative who can return this country to normalcy".

 Meanwhile the Johnson and Progressive camp argued they won fair and square by ballots and if Harding did not come back the Democrats would win easily in 1920. Harding dismissed these claims saying his base and Johnson's base are two very separate political groups and there would be no vote splitting even among Republicans. The Republican Establishment very much sided with the Johnson cause in a sharp turn of tone from earlier when said establishment was very much against growing progressive influence in the party. By 1920 and with the RNC disaster most of these party members left with Harding in protest outside. This included Knox among others who were party stables for decades.

This resulted in the remaining moderates and progressives forming a majority of the republican leadership and lead by Charles Evan Hughes declared the conservatives under Hughes to be extremists and a threat to republican party's chances in November. With the party now on his side Johnson pushed off Harding who after 2 weeks had enough and formed the American Conservative Party and held his own ACNC (American Conservative National Convention) later that summer of 1920. He said in a nominating speech that the republican party had lost its ways from the days of Lincoln and McKinley of "Limited Governance, National Protectionism, and International Isolationism" and had been taken over from extremists on the left who masquerade themselves as republicans.

With this split the republicans chances for winning dropped by half. And so as politics naturally does, attack ad after attack ad was released between the warring factions. Johnson and his Camp called on every sane Republican or Republican Leaning voter to be known that the Republican Party is the Party of Johnson while Harding is the Party of Republican Traitors. Johnson also released many posters and radio/newspaper attacks against Harding calling him a "Selfish Coward who likes the rules as long as it goes his way" (which referred to the convention) and also in many posters said "Traitor Harding or Republican Johnson: You Decide?".

This went on and Johnson had the full might of the Republican Party and its affiliate newspapers and press. Due to this the main headlines day after day were much more pro-Johnson/republican unity and rarely were ever supporting Harding though there was a piece here and here calling for the case for Harding. But Harding and his ACP didn't come unprepared and his garnered the full support of many prominent conservatives and in fact most of them and gained support from some media sources whose owners supported there cause. They had great connections too the prominent newspaper New York Journal-American due to there connections with William Randolph Hearst whose sudden shift to the right under the term of Johnson lead the paper to change its outlook on the work towards the right. They were able to gain headlines from the paper like "Johnson is Democrat is Disguise, Harding is the Republican now!" and "Opinion: Conservatives should support Harding/Coolidge for President". This went on for months and continued throughout the July-November campaign season which occurred from the conventions to the election day.

Meanwhile other on the other side the Democrats were just finishing there nominated process and after a long and brutal primary and ballot nomination, Carter Glass, Senator and Big named conservative from Virginia is able to fight the Progressive Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was the expected nominee due too his last name but failed in the 60-65 ballot range. There was fears that FDR and his Progressive wing in a inverse from the Republicans break off and not except his nomination.

These only grew when Franklin had not endorsed him for at least 2 days after he had won the majority of ballots and had been meeting with delegates and supporters. But he finally came around and supported the Glass Ticket after some background deals occurred between the too. The term "Smoke Filled Rooms" became a common term for shadious negotiations which resulted from the convention. Glass agreed to at least maintain the bottom line programs that the TR/Johnson Administrations put up including the allowing of the Workers Right Amendment to be maintained but promised no strengthening nor any support for it personally. But he made sure in his Speech that the Governments of the last 8 years would be over if he took office (IE Rampant Progressivism). Due to these conditions Glass was able to maintain Democratic Unity and Roosevelt came out on July 9th  to endorse him calling for any Democrat who is distrustful of Glass because he is a conservative to know that he is not a radical conservative and will maintain the status quo. With a Divided Republican Party and a United Democratic one Analysts and most major predictors of the time in near consensus favored the election in Glasses favor. One NYT editor commented "A sample study of the recent polls has shown that in all likeliness, Carter Glass has upwards of a 60% chance of victory".

The first post Democratic and Republican/ACP convention poll came out on July 11th too days after Roosevelt endorsed Glass. It was by the The Philadelphia Inquirer which read 37% for Glass compared to Johnson's 26%, Harding's 19%, and Hillquit's 10%. This was startling news for Johnson and he warned even more that Harding was costed the Party the Presidency and any respectable republican should support him. And he was right, for the first time in 20 years, the Democrats were favored to win. Glass campaigned hard to maintain his lead and aimed for a decisive maintain and landslide to implement his agenda. He did this mostly not by actively campaigning himself (As he was 62) as he was much too old for that however in stead sent out aids and pundits and others too advertise and make his case to the people which was pretty standard in American Politics minus the brief interruptions with Johnson and TR introducing new campaigning styles.

But when he did campaign he made it his best effort and did it in the regions of the South, the upper south and western swing states and the most important mid Atlantic swing states. In the South he visited the major areas already knowing he would win there but to solidify any revolts and maintaining the loyalty of the wealthier classes which controlled much of the Souths politics. In Upper South he visited the swing states of Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, and also Maryland which had became a crucial swing state and all of them polled close in the polls. In the Mid-Atlantic, Campaigning meant meeting supporters in Philadelphia and New York City with the occasional speech here and there and also the occasional visit to other minor city's. Johnson's made campaigning spot was the West and Upper South. He made it a mission to campaign personally as much as possible compared to Glass and contained on this legacy. He beefed up his Populist image enforcing himself as the "Peoples candidate" and Glass as a "Banker and Millionaire Democrat".

Comparing Glasses Big Money Donations from various donors to his almost nonexistent big money donations, Johnson made his point even clearer. He talked about how he, not Glass or Democrats or Harding, No but He, Roosevelt, and the Progressive Republican Wing have helped improved the conditions of the plight of the farmers and industrial workers. He said he would continue it and would also keep American out of any wars and again compared him to the more interventionist minded Glass saying he would. This represented well in Populist areas and historic Progressive areas and so that's why he campaigned there in those places.

Due to this by Early August he had narrowed the lead and began winning back the Upper Southern States and Western States again reforming a coalition. He was now only 5% behind Glass but Harding would prove a thorn in Johnson's back whenever he gained that close in the polls. Harding faced struggling poll numbers by late July as there was calls for Harding to drop out to unite with Glass and form a untied Conservative front. Harding resented such calls saying only he was the real conservative while Glass was not. But these rebuttals didn't prove to quite effective as by Early August he was down to a 13% polling average, down 6% a month earlier.

But as mentioned he still proved a thorn to Johnson as the remaining votes he was getting were coming more and more from Republicans so much so that around this time his supporters were polled and showed 71% were registered republicans. Harding as mentioned too tried to remain relevant and campaigned hard personally in the Mid-West and Northeast trying to get the "ancestral Lincoln conservatives" there who have "voted for progressives but at there roots are for limited governance". A slight rebound in Mid August meant he was steady at 15% which was good but still not clearly enough. The Socialists were the other third party and Hillquit was there man. However compared to 1916 they received much less news coverage and so dropped to a average of around 10%. They reused there Debs Style Socialist Populism and he still held rally's which mass attendance and he still held many union members votes but it was noticeably less.

[The Govanah Jake]

Chapter 11: All Hell breaks Lose!|A tale of the 1920 Campaign Part 2

There populist campaigning which worked very well in the 1910's was working less so here and was also seen in the crowd sizes. Hillquit was a notable speaker and in fact better at oration then people like Debs but it still did not have the same effect. And so entering September there was 4 main candidates which 2 of them most likely to win. In International News that month socialist revolutions swept the country's of Poland, Hungary, and Italy most notably. The revolution in Poland failed instantly after a few days as the few factory workers were crushed. In Hungary it formed into a more long term conflict as the Socialists found home with the more poor Eastern Hungary and are able to keep a guerrilla war going on which would last till 1922. It would ultimately fail though and the Hungarian Republic was renewed with a constitution in 1925. However the one in Italy was able to succeed. Started by the Italians Worker's Party formed in 1913.

It centered on the depressed workers of the Northern Italian Industrial City's combined with the southern Italian farmers who were also poor. When a great depression hit the country in 1918, Left Wing sentiment in the country skyrocketed and the Italian Workers Party in coalition with the Socialist Party's in 1919 became a majority governing alliance. However the King of the Country Victor Emmanuel III who ultimately held power over the legislature blocked most of there agenda fearing revolutionary elements toppling here. In September of 1920, the Party had enough and its member in coalition with northern industrial workers and southern poor farmers rose up in multiple spots and locations and declared a revolution declaring the Italian Peoples Republic.

They intended it to be short and decisive but ended up going 2 years longer then expected. Anti-Socialist elements in the nation were united under one force under the King and also under a new political party called the "Fasci Italiani di Combattimento" and was based on the new ideology of Fascism which called for the State to gain godlike powers and for extreme nationalists. They were lead by up incoming young leader Benito Mussolini who drew large crowds. In the end in late 1922 however Mussolini and the King did not win the day as in the Decisive Battle of Venice (June 5th, 1922) and the Big Battle at Naples (June 19th, 1922) and Rome (October 19th, 1922) secured there place in history on the losing side as in late November the King was killed near Rome. The Government surrendered and a new government and a new Italy was set up.

The Party held internal elections for leadership of the party of 31 year old Antonio Gramsci was elected. A avid so-called "Neo-Marxist", he declared the ruling class to have controlled the Italian People for too long. He called for a Peoples Government and a nationalization of basic needs. Mussolini meanwhile was man hunted and in a long hunt was finally captured on July 9th, 1924 and imprisoned and sentenced to firing squad which occurred on September 12th and he died. Back in 1920 in the election yet more Socialist Revolution riled up the electorate even more and contributed even more to the scare of socialists and communists in the country. Glass took a sharp turn up in the polls and held 43% in Late September on average on the mainstream polls.

This was more then Johnson's 31%, Harding's 19% and Hillquit 5%. Throughout October Johnson made his best effort to climb back in the polls and at one point was within 5% again in one Boston Newspaper which showed him at 38% to Glasses 39% but even that showed he wasn't leading. Many state polls were also Released in this time and Johnson was losing New York 41-38%, Pennsylvania was narrowly for him at 41-40%, New Jersey was in favor of Glass at 41-31%, Maryland was still close at 42-39%, he was leading in Kentucky 43-41%, losing in Missouri 44-42% and leading narrowly in West Virginia at 45-42%.

In the west he was holding every single state except for Arizona and New Mexico which was good for him. Harding meanwhile was able to win his state of Ohio 35-32% over Johnson which was good news for him but bad for Johnson as Ohio was a crucial state for him to win. Glass was rejoiced and made his appearances less often as his chances increased.

He did face a bump in the road however in Mid October when FDR refused to joint campaign which Glass in NYC and Boston due to a comment Glass made in a Trenton speech calling for the elimination of almost all government program over the last 8 years. This was combined with many other prominent Progressives including Woodrow Wilson. However by now he didn't have to worry about being held back by them and offered no apology saying he meant what he said.

Taking this as a bad step progressive support from Glass left him for other candidates and he dropped by around 5% to only around a 38-32% polling average. Carter eventually rescinded his response and said he would keep some crucial important programs which has helped many to stay.  This gave him some more support but not like before but he maintained around a 10% polling average now. Around this time Hillquit in a stump speech in Cleveland was attacked and pelleted by a wide array of materials from a angry crowd of anti-socialists calling him things like "Unpatriotic socialist" and "Unamerican".

He was rushed from the speech and was severely injured and was forced to limit his remaining campaign stops due to it. He did not receive any sympathy bump from it and maintained a 7-10% polling average a slightly improved but still bad number.

It was early November and campaign season was officially over. Now it was time for the election to decide who would become the next president.

[Kingpoleon]

If Glass wins, I think Charles Evan Hughes or George Norris is the Republican nominee in 1924, and Frank Orren Lowden or Charles Curtis is his running mate.

[Don Vito Corleone]

If Progressives and Unions support the Republicans, and Conservatives support the ACP, then who supports the Democrats, and how are they leading?

[The Govanah Jake]

If Progressives and Unions support the Republicans, and Conservatives support the ACP, then who supports the Democrats, and how are they leading?

Regular Democrats and a large chunk of conservatives and most moderates which altogether make up a majority of America both then and probally now. Glasses big lead is due to his strong support from Moderates. Republican and Democratic Progressives meanwhile are either backing Johnson or for the democratic Progressives sack are split between voting for Johnson, Glass, or staying home or voting third party. Meanwhile the conservative republican establishment supports Harding and with that most Republican Conservatives and a big chunk of democratic conservatives through Glass has a narrow majority amongst this group. Altogether Harding has a majority of the conservative vote.

[Sir Mohamed]

Good timeline. Well written!

[The Govanah Jake]

Chapter 11 Part 2: The People Decide.




A Election Voting Station for the 1920 Election manned by Women counters

The night to decide it all was finally upon them. A night to decide which party's vision would lead the 1920's would be decided on that night and chances for the Incumbent President Hiram Johnson weren't looking so good. He faced a rebellion on his right from the Harding Campaign on the the Democratic Side faced a strong and united Democratic Party under a Popular Moderate to Conservative by the name of Carter Glass.

Chances were he would lose but he Hiram refused to give up hope campaigning in nearly 10 states throughout the last week of the campaign in late October to early November. He barnstormed in that time mostly Upper South and Northeastern and Midwestern States and stopped in New York were he performed a rally in front of supporters and then caught a train ride back to the White House were he would stay for election night. He hoped either he could win in a electoral college deadlock if Harding causes that or that the populist american majority would see through Glass as nothing but a fraud and elect him in a upset.

He likened himself to Theodore Roosevelt who still held, even if he was dead, the highest provably rating of any former president up to that date (though that is partially due to the fact that performing of polls on the President only began shortly past the turn of the 18th millennium to the 19th one. A 1919, Summer poll by a local Detroit Paper found his popularity to exceed 80% with only 10% disapproving. Johnson himself held a 51% which was good since he had the majority of the people but that was the shadow of its former upwards of 70% self. Constant fear mongering of the Left in America in from late 1918 up to that point had taken its toll and newspapers like the New York Journal even once said "Johnson and his Progressive allies are trying to turn America into a Socialist State like the ones in Germany and Russia!".

A lot of people bought into this and Johnson's approval rating dropped by more then 20% in less then 2 years even if his policy's were still extremely popular with most poorer Americans which made up a majority. He was likened to the Socialists as part of the Far Left and his polling among Moderates dropped which was the main reason why he dropped so much. But Moderates in America were beginning to grow with the fall of the old order which held the 1910's by its grip.

A new Moderate coalition or "Moderate Majority" as first coined by a Washington Post editorial board. This would dominate the election of 1920 like no other seen in a while and each candidate fought over such majority. While Johnson could do little more then telling the negatives of his opponents due to the fact that he was so vilified by them; he still was losing them heavily to the embodiment of said moderate majority.

Carter Glass was riding this wave and it rode him to the last week of campaigning. He took one last trip to Louisville and Baltimore before returning to his Virginian Home. He would continue to the end with his constant buying of advertisers to spread his message throughout the Urban areas and would wait in his home for results with a steady hand to hold the telephone to hear the results along with a radio. Warren G. Harding meanwhile was still using his usual campaigning method of a front porch style campaigning in his Ohio home.

He while doing this ran throughout his home state trying to win votes including in the Cleveland area, Cincinnati, and throughout the rural areas. He wanted at least to win his state to try to create a deadlock where he could potentially be elected. He also wanted to win it in case the party was needed in the future to already establish infrastructure in the state so winning the state would be easier. And although he was not some kind of "Moderate Majority" candidate (As he was a standard Conservative and made that clear) and could not appeal to them as well as Glass, he did have a great relationship so called Moderates and was polling much better with them then nationally. A October 1920 poll among so called moderates found out that while 52% of them supported Glass and 24% supported Johnson, 23% supported Harding only 1 less then Johnson.

Harding also campaigned throughout the Midwest in the final week and went to Indiana were he was polling his highest, out of the state of Ohio, and even won the state in a state poll in Mid 1920 40-37-12% with Johnson in a distant third. He wanted to win the rural demographic to win him many states in that area. Meanwhile in his last week Hillquit was at his house due to his injury while his Vice President was campaigning for him. He knew he wouldn't do so well but hoped for a upset. And these were the situations going in election day and night and it would be starting soon.

The election was on November 2th for most (Maine and Vermont were able to vote early in October) and voting times was between 5 AM and 6 PM. At 6 PM the polls closed in the first line of states to be called in New England. The first results were to be reported around 6:30 PM when it was  announced on local radio that Johnson won the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine easily giving him 14 Electoral Votes. He would win Vermont by 56% due to a strong Harding performance in the state among the more conservative republicans there.

In New Hampshire a similar thing occurred and Johnson only won the state by 52.8% due to a strong 25.8% Harding performance there and was much done from 1916. In Maine he won by 63% in his strongest of the three due to a weaker Harding performance. By 7 PM Southern New England results came in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

All three showed a improved democratic performance and in the end Johnson won Massachusetts and Rhode Island while Glass won Connecticut in a flip from 1916. It was now 37-7 in Johnson's favor in the most important electoral college. Massachusetts was again a weaker Johnson performance at 46.7% to Glasses 39.6%, Rhode Island was a close 45.8% for Johnson and 43.6% for Glasses, while Connecticut was a flip 44.1%-43.2% for Glass due to a strong Harding performance. After was the Mid-Atlantic states which polls closed at 7:30 PM and this first results came in. This bunch included the crucial and electorally critical states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania which contained nearly 100 electoral votes together.

New York was already 30% when first polled due to early vote and already counted vote and Johnson was in a tight lead of 40.1-38.4% compared to Glasses. These results were coming from the New York City area and Upstate New York which were good areas for Johnson. Johnson's Progressivism played well in the NYC area and had helped turn this democratic stronghold into a swing region along with TR in all fairness. The city was divided between the Democratic controlled machines and WASPs voting for mostly Glass with some for Harding while Johnson took home the Immigrant and Poorer populations in the city.

In Pennsylvania it was already 44% in and Glass held a lead at 40.6% in Johnson's 35.8%. In New Jersey, it was more decisive with 27% in and the state was called for Glass early with him at 48% to Johnson's 32%. This was considered a swing state and wasn't expected to be this decisive but New Jersey, which was ground central of so called Moderates and full of Old World (Non Eastern or Southern European) Immigrants. The smaller state of Delaware meanwhile was also called for Glass with him at 47.4% to Johnson's 37.1% early on. It was now 37-24 in Johnson's favor with New York and Pennsylvania too close to call.

Next was the southern states and they were to be called easily. Glass won 71% in his home state of Virginia,  53% in North Carolina, 87% in South Carolina, 55% in Georgia, 69% in Florida, 72% in Alabama, 91% in Mississippi, 78% in Louisiana, 48% in Tennessee, and 66% in Arkansas. Kentucky was too close to call as 47-45% in Johnson's favor while West Virginia was too close to call too at 48-47% in Glasses favor. Meanwhile Maryland was too close to call at a close 44.5-44.1% in a slight Johnson favor while Missouri was too close to call at 48-42% in Glasses favor. It was now 130-37 in Glasses favor and was 10 PM. A little after that the state of Missouri, which was a crucial bellwether, went to Glass 49-40%.

And right after that Johnson won the state of Kentucky 49-44%. It was now 148-50. The next region to report was the Midwest at 10:30 PM. A little after that the polls closed and the results came in. In Michigan Johnson easily won, while he did the same in Wisconsin at 42% and Minnesota and so did Iowa. The States of Indiana and Ohio and surprisingly Illinois were too close to call. It was now 148-103 Glass. West Virginia meanwhile was called for Johnson while Pennsylvania was called for Glass. A little after that Ohio was called for Harding in a tight 39-33-28% plurality. And after that Illinois was called for Johnson 39-31%.

By this time the Plains states polls were closed and the results came in. Johnson easily won the Dakotas with little Socialist disturbance like they did to TR in 1916 while he also easily won Nebraska. Then Kansas moving towards its historical roots went republican by a easy 7% and was called instantly. Oklahoma was too close to call. It was now 186-168-24 Glass. Due to polling irregularity's Texas polled late and only now was able to go to Glass. Finally by Midnight the west would report and so the whole United States would know the results.

The States of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado were easily called for Johnson at first. Then the West Coast reported and all easily went to Johnson which included his home state of California. Nevada was called for Johnson too. Arizona, New Mexico, and surprisingly Utah were too close to call. It was now 213-206-24 and Johnson was in a slim lead which surprised many at that point. At around 1 AM New Mexico and Oklahoma were called for Glass.

And a little later around 2 AM, in a extremely tight race Glass is able to edge it out in New York to win its 45 Electoral Votes putting him 2 votes from the presidency. At around 2:30 AM Utah was called for Johnson and at 3 AM Maryland and its 8 EV's went to Glass giving him the presidency. Glass would go on to win the remaining too states of Arizona and Indiana over Johnson and Harding respectively.

It was official, Glass was the new president.

(Full Map Results plus In-detail State County Results to come later + Congressional Elections)

[The Govanah Jake]

1920 Presidential Election

Carter Glass (D-VA)/David Francis (D-MO): 290 Electoral Votes, 44.38%

President Hiram Johnson (R-CA)/Vice President George W. Norris: 217 Electoral Votes, 34.92%

Warren G. Harding (ACP-OH)/Calvin Coolidge (ACP-MA): 24 Electoral Votes, 14.84%

Morris Hillquit (S-NY)/Sam DeWitt (S-NY): 0 Electoral Votes, 5.91%

[The Govanah Jake]

Chapter 11: Part 3 (This will only go through the important states. Next update after these will be "The Year was 1921")

1920 States in a closer look: New York



Carter Glass: 40.63%
Hiram Johnson 38.68%
Warren G. Harding: 15.90%
Morris Hillquit: 4.13%

In New York, the crucial swing state of 45 electoral votes went to Glass by about 2%. He under performed the polls here massively and went from a 9% lead before the election to 7% less after. This was due to the states pro-republican bias and had leaned towards the republican party since its creation.

The key to Glasses victory was his wins in the historically crucial republican collar county's of the five boroughs. Although these had held a lot less population then the five boroughs and had a mostly rural landscape, these areas still voted for republicans at 60-75% margins and had been crucial in close elections to overcome democratic controlled New York City. However Johnson's unpopularity with moderate voters which made up most of these county's populations lead to Glass being able to swoop in the fill in the void.

Like with Cleveland who last won these county's, he portrayed himself as against democratic and republican radicalism and called for a return for normalcy which resonated well with these voters. This allowed him to win Suffolk and Nassau by small but decisive margins. Meanwhile this moderation also allowed him to regain parts of the democratic upstate winning Rockland County, Delaware and numerous other small county's.

To top it off he was able to hold Richmond, Manhattan, and the Bronx by smaller then average margins but this tipped him to win the state in a winning coalition.

Meanwhile Johnson was able to keep it close due to due maintaining of his big margins in the upstate and also making a play in labor friendly and immigrant populations in the five boroughs.

In the Upstate he held onto Roosevelt margins here with some disturbances from the democrats and Harding. He was able to win highly populated Erie County 58-30% which was able to give him a big boost. He was also able to maintain the state capital county of Albany by 54-38% giving him more of a boost and was able to maintain Westchester 45-40% while keeping it close though loosing in Suffolk and Nassau. However his main reason for keeping it under 3% was his play in the five boroughs.

Like with past republicans before he was able to win Queens and Kings County by small margins though in highly populated county's. His appeal to the poor and immigrant classes played well in Manhattan and he won big in immigrant and poorer sections however the middle class, the wealthier, and the democratic party machine all tried there best to keep Johnson from winning here and in a somewhat fraudulent setting Glass won the county 61-27%. Meanwhile he lost heavily 65-30% in democratic Staten Island while keeping it close in the Bronx due to his strong margins from the poor, immigrants, and growing Black Population coming out strong for him.

Harding meanwhile got most of his vote from the upstate and the suburbs.

He under performed the polls and the final result was barely better then he national result which was a real disappointment. His strongest region was in the Western New York area in the upstate where he often came in second in many county's and his rural conservative appeal played well in this area coming closest in Allegany coming in second 42-32% over Johnson.

He also did well with the middle class and the suburbs of the five boroughs with many traditional republicans voting for him instead of Johnson instead because he was the "real republican candidate".

Finally Hillquit also under performed and expected this state to be one of his holdouts in terms of high percentages for the socialists. But this was not the case. He got less then the national average hear was was crushed by all other candidates resulting in him and his party in Hillquit's very own state and his running mates state and only got 4.1%.

He did best in labor friendly areas getting double digits in Kings, Bronx, and Manhattan Island due to strong support from the same demographics as Johnson appealed too. Altogether New York proved in 1920 to be very much a swing state and a swing state to come into the 1920's and beyond.

[Don Vito Corleone]

Is NYC a Republican stronghold ITTL?

[The Govanah Jake]

Is NYC a Republican stronghold ITTL?

Nope. It is still like in our timeline still democratic machine controlled. However with more Progressive presidents, the influence of this and Tammany Hall has decreased greatly then in our timeline which has lead to republicans being able to compete.

For reference

Is NYC a Republican stronghold ITTL?

Manhattan - Lean D due to more upscale voters and the center of a weakening democratic machine. Tons of minority's, immigrants, and the poor are making it more close

King - A full on swing borough and Johnson won here. Glass wins the upscale voters here but by this time new immigrants and minority populations like African Americans due to the Great migration have made the Republican Party being able to win here.

Queens - The most Republican of all of these and is swing. Johnson won here and has less upscale voters which lead to a stronger Johnson win

States Island - Conversely the most democratic borough. Is still strongly controlled by WASP machines and is dominantly by moderates and more wealthier folks. However a growls new immigrant population in the form of Italians have made it slightly closer

Bronx - A swing to slight D regions. Due to the above mentioned plus the influence of labor unions have made it closer and is a swing borough at that moment

[The Govanah Jake]

Chapter 11: Part 3

1920 States in a closer look: Pennsylvania

Carter Glass: 41.19%
Hiram Johnson: 38.92%
Warren G. Harding: 16.83%
Morris Hillquit: 2.71%

In the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania which held 38 electoral votes, a close race was held. Pennsylvania around this time was a historically republican stronghold state and went for Roosevelt by 18% in 1916 and although the state had been close as a state many times before and in fact dozens of times between Democrats and Republicans, in the end Republican usually won by 2-10% points.

In fact the last time it went to the Democrats was in 1856 with a newly formed Republican Party and James Buchanan. However growing unpopularity with Johnson among Moderates, Conservatives, the Philadelphia collar county's, and the Philadelphia machine itself made the state competitive and ultimately lead to his downfall here.

Johnson's main support came from his holding on of the republican machine in Philadelphia, keeping it close in the traditional republican but now swing or democratic collar county's, winning big in Allegheny which was a historically republican area but made gains in Democratic run Pittsburgh, and maintaining good margins in the western part of the state.

His only improvement in the state was in the southwest were Johnson's pro-labor stances resonated well in the labor heavy but democratic friendly area. Glass meanwhile main improvement was winning in Chester and Montgomery and keeping it close in Delaware and Bucks county. This was great for a Democrat and these areas before would go to Republicans no matter what. Meanwhile his moderation lead to good performances in the eastern rural areas of the state by some good margins. He however lost big in Scranton in the Northeast to due his weakness with the working class there. Overall his coalition allowed him to win the state.

Meanwhile Harding performance better then the national average for him but still didn't perform as well as he hoped. He barely got 1% more then the national average and did best in areas like Chester and in the central regions. He also did great near the border with him home state of Ohio.

Meanwhile the Socialists extremely under performed here and got less then even 3%! This was one of there better states in 1916 getting 25% and now under 3%.

All in all, 1920 showed by as of now the state which was once considered a republican stronghold could be won by a Democrat and going forward whether it will remain a swing state or lean democratic will be up for question.

[The Govanah Jake]

If anyone wants anymore of these county maps then ask. Anyway "The Year was 1921" is coming soon.