1. Objectives
Describe how Theodore Roosevelt tried to limit the power of business.
Summarize the main points of Roosevelt’s Square Deal.
Identify the reforms promoted by Presidents Taft and Wilson.

2. Terms and People
Theodore Roosevelt – first Progressive President; formed the Progressive Party
trustbuster – person who works to destroy monopolies and trusts
conservation – the protection of natural resources
national park – natural area protected and managed by the federal government

3. Terms and People (continued)
William Howard Taft – President who supported many reforms but lost Progressive support
Woodrow Wilson – Progressive President who promoted the New Freedom program

4. How did reformers try to end government corruption and limit the influence of big business?
Progressives had made important gains in state and local governments. By the early 1900s, they began to succeed at the national level.

5. Theodore Roosevelt was the nation’s first Progressive President.
State legislator
Police chief
Assistant secretary of the navy
Governor of New York
Vice President
Became President when McKinley was assassinated 5

6. Though he was not against all big businesses, Roosevelt was against what he called the “bad trusts.”
“Good Trusts”
“Bad Trusts”
Efficient
Fair
Should be left alone
Took advantage of workers
Cheated the public
Must be controlled or broken up 6

7. Roosevelt soon earned a reputation as a trustbuster, winning court rulings that eventually broke up the bad trusts.
The courts broke up Northern Securities because it had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Because of Roosevelt, Standard Oil and the American Tobacco Company were also broken up.
Finally, the Antitrust Act was used to limit trusts, instead of unions. 7

8. Roosevelt also supported Progressive goals in other areas.
When miners went on strike to demand higher pay and shorter hours, he supported them.
He encouraged Congress to require stricter inspections in meatpacking houses.
He supported the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect consumers from false drug claims and harmful additives. 8

9. Everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed.
In 1904, Roosevelt ran for President promising to give Americans a Square Deal.
Square Deal
Everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed.
TR, as he was called, won a huge victory. 9

10. Roosevelt loved the outdoors and promoted conservation.
During Roosevelt’s presidency, resources were being used at a frantic pace to fuel industrial growth.
In 1905, he formed the U.S. Forest Service to help protect the nation’s woodlands. 10

11. He also set aside thousands of acres for national parks.11

12. Roosevelt decided not to run for re-election in 1908.
Many Progressives, including Roosevelt, supported William Howard Taft, who won easily.
Taft
Trustbuster
Favored graduated income tax
Supported workplace safety rules
Supported eight-hour workday
Controlled child labor
Progressive
Support

13. Despite his record of reform, however, Taft soon lost Progressive support.
Raised tariffs
Blocked conservation efforts

14. When Roosevelt lost, he formed his own party.
Roosevelt decided to challenge Taft for the Republican party nomination in 1912.
When Roosevelt lost, he formed his own party.
Progressive Party
Called the Bull Moose Party
Nominated Roosevelt for President

15. The Democratic candidate in the 1912 election was Woodrow Wilson.
President of Princeton University
Governor of New Jersey
Wilson promised to support Progressive goals.

16. On election day, Taft and Roosevelt split the Republican vote, and Wilson won.

17. Like other Progressives, Wilson disliked the ruthless business practices of the trusts.
He created a plan to restore free and fair competition among businesses.
He called his program the New Freedom.

18. Wilson’s New Freedom put further limits on big business.
Stops businesses from using unfair practices to eliminate competition
Federal Trade
Commission (FTC)
Banned business practices that limit competition
Stopped antitrust laws from being used against unions
Clayton
Antitrust Act

19. Wilson and Congress also took steps to regulate banking.
Federal Reserve
Act
Set up a system of federal banks
Gave the government the power to raise or lower interest rates and to control the money supply
By 1914, the Progressives had gradually achieved many of their goals under Wilson, Taft, and Roosevelt.

20. Section Review
QuickTake Quiz
Know It, Show It Quiz