T6 Political

Question 1

The 1932 Presidential Election

Answer 1

-‘Turning Point’ election
-Beginning of New Deal era
-1933-1980s electoral watershed seen as positive, replacing Republican conservatism with FDR & New Deal
-FDR provided leadership, using powers of newly expanded federal government to restore confidence & overcome fear & pessimism
-By 1932 FDR was already an experienced politician with drive, confidence & great speech making abilities.
-Was Assistant Secretary to the Navy under Wilson in 1913
-Was Governor of New York in 1928 & defeated Al Smith to gain Democratic nomination
-Many Democrats would have preferred Al Smith
-Few knew about his plans for dealing with the Depression
-His promises in the election campaign were a loose collection of general principles
- He was vague as he was not sure what he would so yet

Question 2

Roosevelt’s 1932 Election Campaign Themes

Answer 2

-Federal Government intervention badly needed
-America had to abandon the Gold Standard
-Business should be reformed & regulated
-Business world & American workers had to be given a sense of hope & confidence for a better future
-The song Happy Days Are Here Again was used as his campaign theme tune

Question 3

The 1932 Election (Democratic)

Answer 3

Nominee Candidate- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Running Mate- John Nance Gardner
Electoral College Vote- 472
States Won- 42
Popular Vote- 22,821,277
Percentage- 57.4%

Question 4

The 1932 Election (Republican)

Answer 4

Nominee Candidate- Herbert Hoover
Running Mate- Charles Curtis
Electoral College Vote- 59
States Won- 6
Popular Vote- 15,761,254
Percentage- 39.6%