| Franklin Pierce elected President |
| James Buchanan elected President |
Democratic Party formally split over slavery
Northern wing supported Stephen A. Douglas
Southern wing supported John F. Breckenridge |
| Samuel Tilden ran unsuccessfully for President, a predecessor of
the Progressive reformers of the 1900s |
Grover Cleveland elected President; also elected in 1892
Reformed the Civil Service system for government employees, reducing
the number of jobs awarded on the basis of patronage |
William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for President; also ran
in 1900 and 1908
Led a movement of agrarian reformers
Supported the right of women's suffrage
Supported the progressive graduated income tax
Supported the direct election of Senators |
| Party became predominant in local urban politics |
Woodrow Wilson elected President
Led the country through World War I
Fought for the League of Nations
Established the Federal Reserve Board
Passed the first labor and child welfare laws |
Democrats were divided over the issue of Prohibition
Alfred Smith ran for the Presidency - first Catholic candidate
Democrats helped to establish the first primary system |
