For More Information:
The History Channel has a great summary video:
www.history.com/videos/roosevelt-forms-bull-moose-party
For more about Theodore Roosevelt:
www.theodore-roosevelt.com/ (Great source for sources)
Task for these sources:
EReader #4: KSU Primary Source Series
The Bull Moose
Party
You are a newspaper reporter in 1912 Chicago. Your
editor has assigned to you the task of reporting on
Theodore Roosevelt’s upstart political party. Your
editor wants a 500 word article summarizing what the
progressive party believes in. By analyzing the three
sources provided, write the article of what to expect
from this party.
Credits
Cover Photo: www.time.com
Bull Moose Party Logo: www.retrocampaigns.com/
For Correspondence
If you have questions, suggestions, comments, or requests,
contact Dr. Brad Burenheide
bburen@ksu.edu
Primary Sources regarding
the Bull Moose Party
Dr. Brad Burenheide
Kansas State University College of Educaiton
About the Bull Moose Party
The Birth of the Party…
Teddy Roosevelt ended his presidential terms in 1909.
He, influenced by the progressive movement of the time
and his eight years as president was marked by “trust
busting” and his “Square Deal” where the average
citizen would get a fair share in politics. His handpicked
successor, William Taft, easily won the 1908 election, but
quickly moved towards conservative views rather than
the progressive movement he favored.
As the 1912 presidential election approached, Roosevelt
who was upset with Taft’s change, tried blocking Taft’s
re-nomination. In a drama filled moment, when it was
evident Roosevelt was going to be unsuccessful,
Roosevelt convinced his supporters to break away and
form a new party across the street from the Chicago
convention center.
What was the progressive movement?
What made Roosevelt so agitated against Taft,
besides personality differences, it was Taft’s
alienation of the Progressive movement. This
movement spawned in the 1890’s from the rural areas
of the country that wanted to reform governments. It
caught national fire and expanded into social areas,
such as education, medicine, finance, industry, and
railroads. Overall, the Progressive movement wanted
to modernize society, eliminate government
corruption, and help individuals secure their rights
and modern living.
The sources in this reader will get you to explore
what Progressives believe.
The Primary Sources
The 1912 Progressive Party Platform
Roosevelt’s upstart party quickly formed a political
platform and became a real threat to the established
parties with the charismatic Roosevelt as its leader.
teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=607
Roosevelt’s 8/31/1910 Speech in
Osawatomie Kansas.
At a ceremony dedicating a monument for John
Brown, the former president issues a speech for the
“new nationalism.” President Obama made a speech
similar to this during his presidency. Read President
Roosevelt’s speech from the White House Blog:
www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/12/06/archivespresident-teddy-roosevelts-new-nationalism-speech
The Right of the People to Rule
This speech was given at Carnegie Hall in March, 1912.
In it, he affirms the right of the citizen to be the source of
rule and opposing the tyrannies of government.
www.theodoreroosevelt.com/images/research/speeches/trrotptr.pdf
Why is it called Bull Moose Party?
While the official name was the
Progressive Party, it earned the name
of Bull Moose from an interview of
Teddy Roosevelt… Interviewer: “Are
you fit to be president?”
TR: “I’m as fit as a Bull Moose”