November 8, 2010 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the presidential election of 1960, which still very much interests those who care about disputed elections in American history. However, looking back further in time to the presidential election of 1928, we can see another notable moment in American politics that was characterized by strong anti-Catholic sentiment.
In 1928, the Democratic nominee for president was Al Smith, a Catholic from New York. His opponent was Herbert Hoover, a Protestant Republican. This marked the first time in American history that a major party had nominated a Catholic for president. The issue of Smith's religion became a central focus of the campaign, with many Protestant voters expressing concerns about the idea of a Catholic president.
Some historians have viewed the 1928 election as a reflection of deep-seated anti-Catholic sentiment in American society at the time. This sentiment was fueled by a combination of religious prejudices, fears of foreign influence (given the large Catholic immigrant population), and longstanding stereotypes about Catholics as being loyal to the Pope over the United States.
One of the key moments that highlighted the anti-Catholic sentiment in the election was the distribution of pamphlets and flyers that contained derogatory and inflammatory language about Smith's religion. These materials portrayed Catholics as un-American and suggested that a Catholic president would be beholden to the Pope rather than serving the interests of the American people.
Additionally, Smith faced intense scrutiny and criticism from Protestant leaders and organizations who openly questioned his loyalty to the United States and his ability to separate his religious beliefs from his political decisions. Many Protestant voters were swayed by these attacks and ultimately voted against Smith in the election.
The election of 1928 ultimately ended in a landslide victory for Hoover, with Smith winning only a handful of states in the heavily Protestant South. The outcome of the election was seen as a clear indication of the strength of anti-Catholic sentiment in American society at the time.
Despite his loss, Al Smith's candidacy was a significant moment in American political history. It paved the way for future Catholic politicians to run for higher office and helped to challenge and break down some of the barriers and prejudices that existed against Catholics in American society.
In conclusion, the presidential election of 1928 serves as a stark reminder of the power of religious prejudice and anti-Catholic sentiment in American politics. The campaign against Al Smith highlighted the challenges faced by Catholic candidates in a predominantly Protestant country and underscored the need for greater tolerance and understanding among different religious groups in the United States.
