Presidential Eras

[old timey villain]

Hey Guys! I've been reading the forum daily for about a year now, and I pop in from time to time, but I want to get more involved!

   I was thinking about modern presidential eras, basically periods of time when certain parties of politics were dominant. From 1896, here we go!

1896-1912: Progressive era- progressive Republicans hold onto power in the White House. Their ascension to power comes on the heels of massive immigration to American cities, causing overcrowding and unsanitary living and working conditions for the nation's newest residents. Americans elected men who pledged to clean up the cities and assimilate the new immigrants. The coalition breaks apart when Roosevelt runs against Taft.

1912-1929: Big Business era: Pro business Republicans dominate during this era of prosperity and growth. Americans elect men who focus on strong economic growth, usually at the helm of the stock market and easy credit. A huge bubble forms and pops in 1929. The depression is so deep that is destroys the coalition permanently. (Wilson's presidency is a fluke. He takes advantage of the Repub schism in 1912 and holds on to the White House in the wake of WWI)

1930- 1952: The New Deal Era- Ok, this one isn't exactly novel. But it's probably the biggest realignment we will ever see. The severity of the great depression brings in Democrats (FDR) who make economic recovery and redistribution their main focus. And remember, "redistribution" wasn't  a dirty word back then. All of America's poor was in favor of this, and their desire for a bigger piece of the pie wasn't clouded by fears of "socialism".

1952-1964: The moderate Era: America has been in a period of extremes for almost 50 years. First it was extreme Repubs and then extreme dems after the depression. By the postwar era, the new deal coalition weakens naturally and Americans, in a very "pleasant, gee whiz" era, elect moderate politicians. They elect moderate Republican Dwight Eisenhower, and then moderate Democrat John Kennedy.

1964-1972: The WTF era- Kennedy is shot, LBJ enacts the most sweeping agenda since the New Deal, people turn on him during Vietnam and put Nixon in the White House thanks to his Southern Strategy. It is a very turbulent political era- The Democrats and Republicans begin polarizing to the degree we know and love today, segregationist candidates occupy the extreme right wing, and pacifist candidates occupy the extreme left wing. After 8 years, the dust settles in the wake of Nixon's landslide reelection.

1972-1980: Moderate Era Part II- After some turbulent years, Americans want to chill. Another brief political era brings us moderate Republican Gerald Ford and moderate southern Democrat Jimmy Carter.

1980-1992: Republican DOMINATION: The southern strategy comes to full fruition as the Republicans achieve full domination of the south and perform well everywhere else. This is the era that current Republicans have dirty fantasies about. It's like porn for them. Three landslide elections in a row and the era of Reagan, the Republican holy one. I kid, though. The Repubs have an impressive coalition at this time of white Southerners, religious conservatives and moderate Suburbanites that propel them to power.

1992-2008: Dueling Parties: In 1992, the Republican Party moves significantly to the right. Bush is primaried by Pat Buchanan in the 1992 election. He wins the nom of course, but stresses culture issues like never before. This alienates enough voters to help make the Dems competitive again and creates a level playing field that spurs fierce competition between the two parties. Clinton wins in 1992, but the Republicans dominate in 1994 and control congress over a decade afterward. The 2000 and 2004 elections are two of the closest and most bitterly fought races in history. It seems that every bit of ground one party gains is snatched up by the other party in the very next cycle. This era might still be lingering, in fact.

2008-?: The Obama Era: The era is named after the current President, but the ramifications of the election of our first black President are yet to be completely felt. The solidification of minority support gives Democrats an edge, but it has also given birth to a new era of racial and identity politics that can be downright nasty. I predict that the current era of politics will be known for its harsh polarization and emphasis on identity politics. So much for a "post racial" America...

Wow, that took forever. What do yall think? Do you have anything you want to add or change? I apologize for typos. It's late.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Wilson belongs in the progressive era. The 1912 election was between different types of progressives, with the more conservative but still progressive Taft coming in only third.  In 1916, Wilson won against the more business friendly Hughes.

[Person Man]

I am thinking that until our problems are resolved, that the post-1992 era will continue for quite some time. We will see backlash after backlash until the Unemployment is under 6%, there aren't any wars and an incumbent president can have 60% approval ratings without a massive terrorist attack. We could be in a time of political instability and might not even recognize a stable new normal for a long time.

Two things will happen-

We will enter a period where NO ONE gets reelected and if they do, there will be progressively advancing levels of unrest. This period will end when we either learn to cope with our problems or give up on trying to deal with them. You will see this happening when either unemployment dips under 7% or when we get a European-sized welfare state to deal with European-sized economic disenfranchisement, or when things start to get a little more Mad Maxy at a time. You will know that this is happening when you begin to hear "we've been told we can't do that anymore" or "you have to do this now" more and more in your day to day life.

when some supreme warlord like FDR or The Gipper Unites a large enough majority of the country to say that they united ALL of the country...and either moves us to "socialism" or corporate nationalism.

[GLPman]

I agree with the comment about Wilson belonging in the Progressive Era. Overall, I think the list is quite solid. There are a few things I'd change:

1972-1980: Instead of the "Moderate Part II Era," this should probably be the "Weak Presidency Era." Nixon had just resigned, and Americans had lost faith in the Executive. Ford pardoned Nixon, too. Neither Ford nor Carter were powerful presidents and the low voter turnout in the 1976 election particularly emphasizes American's loss of credibility in the presidency. Carter's term was a downright disaster between the Oil Crisis and Operation Eagle Claw. Carter barely survived a primary challenge from Ted Kennedy and went on to be crushed by Ronald Reagan.

I would also create an era spanning from 1980-2001 called "The Great Leader Era." Clinton and Reagan were, for the most part, loved. Yes, H.W. Bush was defeated, but he was an excellent Commander-in-Chief during the Gulf War.

Finally, I would also create an era called "The Politics of Fear and Hope" Era, extending from 2001 to present day, which would specify the roles that fear of terrorism and hope for new leadership controlled the outcomes of the 2004 and 2008 elections and the presidencies of George Bush and Barack Obama.

[GLPman]

I agree with the comment about Wilson belonging in the Progressive Era. Overall, I think the list is quite solid. There are a few things I'd change:

1972-1980: Instead of the "Moderate Part II Era," this should probably be the "Weak Presidency Era." Nixon had just resigned, and Americans had lost faith in the Executive. Ford pardoned Nixon, too. Neither Ford nor Carter were powerful presidents and the low voter turnout in the 1976 election particularly emphasizes American's loss of credibility in the presidency. Carter's term was a downright disaster between the Oil Crisis and Operation Eagle Claw. Carter barely survived a primary challenge from Ted Kennedy and went on to be crushed by Ronald Reagan.

I would also create an era spanning from 1980-2001 called "The Great Leader Era." Clinton and Reagan were, for the most part, loved. Yes, H.W. Bush was defeated, but he was an excellent Commander-in-Chief during the Gulf War.

Finally, I would also create an era called "The Politics of Fear and Hope Era," extending from 2001 to present day, which would specify the roles that fear of terrorism and hope for new leadership and change controlled the outcomes of the 2004 and 2008 elections and the presidencies of George Bush and Barack Obama.

[Del Tachi]

I wouldn't go as far to say that 1980-1992 was Republican "domination", you have to remember that the Dems had the Congress. 

What you see, actually, beginning in 1980 (some would argue 1968) is political dealignment.  Americans prefer divided government over one-party rule, which has been the norm for most of American history.  Americans are becoming very skeptical of government and are taking advantage of the "seperation of powers" to illustrate that fact. 

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

1986-1920: Proggressive Era

1920-1932: Laissez Faire Era

1932-1945: FDR Era

1946-1963: The Wholesome Era

1963-1980: Anti-Government Era

1980-2000: The Chasrisma Era

2000-Present: Terror Era

[Mechaman]

Bumping this thread after going through cope's posting history.

I just want to comment that, 95 posts in, this poster has managed to get a better FF rating from ole Mecha than a vast majority of people here.  This is why.

[I'm JewCon in name only.]

Awesome list Cope. I agree w/ like 96% of it.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I must agree with Mech's praise of cope's posting, having only seen two of them. Also, agree with some of GLPman's analysis as well.