What was the defining election of the 20th Century?

[PresidentSamTilden]

I posted in the 2016 forum recently, asking if this year's presidential election will be the most significant in recent times. A couple replies in there got me thinking about perspective. What could we call the defining election of the previous century, and why?

As a rough definition of "defining", I'll start with: An election that clarified the US' position and identity, with large and long lasting effect, setting a course that could have been radically changed with the opposite result. This was off the top of my head and is open to adjustment.

For the poll, I included some commonly cited important or divisive elections. Feel free to select other and let me know why. Discussion > forum poll results.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

1932 in a walk.

[RINO Tom]

1932 in a walk.

Yeah, how can anybody not say this?  Our entire country - for better or for worse - has been FDR's baby since the '30s.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

1936 rather than 1932 was the defining election. Given the depths of the depression, FDR's landslide in 1932 was not a portent of a permanent change. 1936 was.

[RINO Tom]

1936 rather than 1932 was the defining election. Given the depths of the depression, FDR's landslide in 1932 was not a portent of a permanent change. 1936 was.

Meh, I guess I could see that argument, but 1932 started it all.  Tons of states that had voted solidly for three straight Republican tickets fundamentally rejected the party.  I'd say 1936 was the exclamation point after the statement.

[The_Doctor]

I can't say 1932 alone. I have to add 1980. By now, everyone who has seen me post has seen this variation on this argument. But here it goes.

FDR's 1932 election created the welfare state and the safety that has defined our economy. By any metric FDR is a more consequential president than what we've seen to date. (I do think we're seeing another FDR coming very soon - but that's guesswork). The upshot is that FDR redistributed the spoils of the Industrial Revolution and made it more equitable via the safety net. He also radically reoriented our economic thinking and shifted us from a purely profit motive to guaranteeing a fair economic outcome for most Americans.

Reagan's 1980 election was hugely consequential (although shaping up to be less so than FDR but only marginally so) in that he turned us into a service economy based on deregulation, low taxes, and supply side economics. Reagan brought back the profit motive, which was crucial for the survival and innovation of the service economy. Important industries like the telecomms industry wouldn't have done as well without deregulation (the 1996 act in itself helped the broadband expansion massively). Innovation going into the 2010s was definitely helped by the 1980s reorganization of the IT and computer industry among other factors.

[OSR stands with Israel]

1932 in a walk.

[Blue3]

32 was inevitable. 68 and 80 were more coin tosses affected by last minute calamities.

[President Johnson]

I agree with 1932 for the stated reasons.

But 1940 is also important.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Literally 1900.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Literally 1900.

How does a 19th century election get the distinction of being the defining election of the next century?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Literally 1900.

How does a 19th century election get the distinction of being the defining election of the next century?

Regardless of whether you believe a century begins at "1900" or "1901", the results of 1900 decided who would be sworn in on the 4th day of March in 1901, essentially deciding politics for the next century or so, until the 2000 election came along.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Even accepting your argument, and ignoring the first 63 days of the 20th century, the 56th Congress elected back in 1898 remained in office until March 4, 1901.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

My real answer would be 1789, as each election led to the next.

[The_Doctor]

32 was inevitable. 68 and 80 were more coin tosses affected by last minute calamities.

1980 was not a coin toss. Reagan was consistently leading after the RNC, except a few polls.

[PresidentSamTilden]

My real answer would be 1789, as each election led to the next.

Well, if Adams somehow won that, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be a USA, lol.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

1932.  Except for a brief period during the Reagan/Bush 1 years, the left has dominated the terms of debate since the Depression.

[OSR stands with Israel]

1932.  Except for a brief period during the Reagan/Bush 1 years, the left has dominated the terms of debate since the Depression.

From 1994-2004 the right dominated the debate as well

[Del Tachi]

1968.