The 1912 presidential campaign was primarily a contest between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Howard Taft, the Republican candidate and incumbent, was largely ignored by most reporters who covered the campaign. On one level, the campaign became a debate over political philosophy, in particular the proper relationship of government to society in a modern industrial age. Roosevelt borrowed heavily from a book, The Promise of American Life, written by Herbert Croly, a young journalist. This work reinforced, if not stimulated, Roosevelt’s New Nationalism and, to a lesser extent, Wilson’s New Freedom. Croly argued for a "Hamiltonian principle of national responsibility" (Roosevelt’s position also), moving beyond the mere "negative" governmental implications of Jeffersonian individualism (which was more Wilson’s thrust). Croly favored a strong national state and, instead of Jefferson’s concept of "a government of and by the people," he argued for a "government for the people by popular but responsible leaders." According to Croly, laissez-faire liberalism was no longer compatible with the industrial era. He believed that big business and big labor required a strong government to balance and regulate them and to guarantee the rights of the people. Wealthy individuals were attracted by his ideas and supported Croly in founding the New Republic in 1914, which he edited until 1928.

The following excerpt from The Promise of American Life describes the zealous patriotism of the American people and discusses the reasons behind its unique nature. It further warns the American people of the challenges that industrialism has brought and suggests that changes in the American vision will be necessary to adapt successfully to the new era. How does Croly describe the Americans’ faith in their country? How does American patriotism differ from that of other industrialized countries? Why? What is the importance of individual and national promise in the attitude of Americans toward their country? How is this promise to be fulfilled? Does this attitude exist today? If so, how does it manifest itself?