1. The Progressive Presidents 1901-1921 What does it mean to be progressive? How truly progressive were these presidents?

2. PRESIDENT Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (became president after President McKinley was shot)

3. YEARS IN OFFICE 1901-1909

4. Governor of New York Rancher in Dakota Harvard Graduate Cavalry (Rough Riders) Background

5. POLITICAL PARTY Republican  Progressive

6. T.R.’s Efforts to Reform Based on Belief in “ Square Deal” 1 st time government intervened in a strike to protect workers and public Expanded the role of government by trustbusting 44 trusts.

7. T.R’s Additional Reforms Helped Enact “Food & Drug Act” Helped Enact “Meat Inspection Act”

8. T.R’s Additional Reforms Set aside 150 millions acres as forest preserve Newlands Reclamation Act: paid for making damaged land productive. Created National Conservation Commission

9. Cruise of the Great White Fleet 1907-1909

10. T.R’s PROBLEMS Very popular, no opposition in 1904 for reelection. Critics said conservation efforts too costly. Great White Fleet represented imperialism.

11. PRESIDENT William H. Taft

12. YEARS IN OFFICE 1909-1913 Secretary of War for Teddy Roosevelt

13. Taft was from which party? (Look at the poster for clue)

14. Background Accepted Nomination in Cincinnati (now the Taft Museum of Art) Back was so round…. Taft needed a custom tub!

15. Taft’s Efforts to Reform Filed 90 suits against trusts. Helped adopt the 16 th Amendment Income tax based on individual income: now fund government programs in a fair manner.

16. Taft’s Additional Reforms Created the Department of Labor Added vast area’s to nation’s forest preserves

17. PROBLEMS Former judge. Did not want presidency. Progressives did not like his support for lowering tariffs & firing US Forestry Service head & not helping dispute in Congressional Rules Committee  Lost Teddy Roosevelt’s support (TR ran against Taft, but Wilson won)

18. PRESIDENT Woodrow Wilson

19. YEARS IN OFFICE 1913-1921 Governor of New Jersey

20. Background Governor of New Jersey Dean of Princeton University

21. POLITICAL PARTY Democrat

22. Wilson’s Efforts to Reform Based on Belief in “ New Freedom” Wanted a return to small business, where the “little guy” was free from control of big business and government. Passed Clayton Anti-Trust Act Corporations could not undersell, or buy stock to be monopoly

23. Wilson’s Additional Reforms Established the Federal Trade Commission Federal Reserve Act

24. PROBLEMS Could not get child labor laws passed. Did not support suffrage for women in his campaign for reelection. Blacks’ rights unprotected. Prohibition difficult to enforce.