The 1912 Tariff Debate

The passage and political cartoons provide information about the 1912 tariff debate.

1 The election of 1912, Eke many elections, was a contest of ideas. The four candidates for president had very different views on the role of government. These differences were clearly evident in the candidates' position on tariffs — taxes charged on imported goods. Democrat Woodrow Wilson argued that the economic role of the federal government should be limited. He supported reducing tariffs to decrease government involvement in the economy. Republican William Taft argued that the federal government had an obligation to protect American businesses and workers. A high tariff would limit competition from foreign companies and would, therefore, benefit American businesses. The Progressive candidate, Theodore Roosevelt, tock a more moderate view. He believed that the government should control and supervise the economy. But he argued against a blanket tariff on all