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.