Imperial Presidency
Document 1: Liver and kidney pills advertisement, Sparks Company, ca. 1880s
1. What advantages would advertisers gain from using Frances Cleveland's picture?
They would receive more sales because the commonwealth would trust Frances.
2. What advantages might a political candidate get from this phenomenon? It’
They will receive more attention.
3. What does advertising like this tell us about the process of political choice in the 1880s?
Political choices try to get appeal towards the commonwealth.
Document 2: Account of Benjamin Harrison's "front porch campaign," October 12, 1888
4. Analyze ways in which a front porch campaign contributed to the positive image of a candidate.
It creates an image the public can view.
5. How did front porch campaigns avoid the appearance of aggressive campaigning?
It shows the politician is open to the public.
6. What conclusions can you draw from the behavior of the public at Harrison's house?
Harrison’s House was a front for a front porch campaign.
Document 3: Joseph Ferdinand Keppler, "The Opening of the 'Aggressive' Campaign," 1884
7. Contrast the evidence of this image with the scene depicted in document 2. How does this cartoonist regard the effects of aggressive campaigning?
It shows a more personal side to politicians.
8. What political alliance are these politicians being accused of? Why does the cartoonist think this is bad for the country as a whole?
This is bad because it creates tension and distrust.
9. What conclusion can you draw about public opinion concerning aggressive campaigning at this time?
It was not supported of.
Document 4: "President Roosevelt Speaking from His Car at Lake City, Minnesota," ca. 1903
10. How did Roosevelt make use of technology in his campaign for reelection?
He used the car as transportation to get to his speech and then used the car as a stage.
11. What does Roosevelt's campaigning show about the "incumbent advantage" of a campaigning president?
He had resources to get any type
1. What advantages would advertisers gain from using Frances Cleveland's picture?
They would receive more sales because the commonwealth would trust Frances.
2. What advantages might a political candidate get from this phenomenon? It’
They will receive more attention.
3. What does advertising like this tell us about the process of political choice in the 1880s?
Political choices try to get appeal towards the commonwealth.
Document 2: Account of Benjamin Harrison's "front porch campaign," October 12, 1888
4. Analyze ways in which a front porch campaign contributed to the positive image of a candidate.
It creates an image the public can view.
5. How did front porch campaigns avoid the appearance of aggressive campaigning?
It shows the politician is open to the public.
6. What conclusions can you draw from the behavior of the public at Harrison's house?
Harrison’s House was a front for a front porch campaign.
Document 3: Joseph Ferdinand Keppler, "The Opening of the 'Aggressive' Campaign," 1884
7. Contrast the evidence of this image with the scene depicted in document 2. How does this cartoonist regard the effects of aggressive campaigning?
It shows a more personal side to politicians.
8. What political alliance are these politicians being accused of? Why does the cartoonist think this is bad for the country as a whole?
This is bad because it creates tension and distrust.
9. What conclusion can you draw about public opinion concerning aggressive campaigning at this time?
It was not supported of.
Document 4: "President Roosevelt Speaking from His Car at Lake City, Minnesota," ca. 1903
10. How did Roosevelt make use of technology in his campaign for reelection?
He used the car as transportation to get to his speech and then used the car as a stage.
11. What does Roosevelt's campaigning show about the "incumbent advantage" of a campaigning president?
He had resources to get any type