2. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (TR)  1901 – McKinley is assassinated: TR becomes president at the age of 42  He believed the US had to be strong and compete internationally.  He was a progressive who believed that the US needed many reforms with regard to big business, consumer protection, and the environment. He called his programs the “square deal”

3. TR and big Business  TR felt that large corporations helped the US progress BUT they needed to be regulated and follow certain rules  First Case: Northern Securities (owned by JP Morgan) was brought to trial – the SC ruled it violated Sherman Anti-Trust act  TR was hailed as “trust-buster”

4. The Coal Strike of 1902  Spring 1902, 150,00 coal miners in PA go on strike.  By the fall, strike not settled, winter is coming- without coal – big problems ahead  TR asks owners and union to use ARBITRATION ( a neutral third party decides)  Union says yes – owners say no  TR threatens owners (will use army to run the mines)  Arbitration takes place, strike over, TRs actions very popular with the American people.

5. More Business regulations  Hepburn Act – this helped regulate the railroads  TR would meet with any business to convince them to accept regulations rather than go to court.

6. Protecting Consumers  At this time, there were no government inspections of the food or medicine producing process.  Patent medicines claimed to cure any illness but were often made of alcohol, water or even small amounts of dangerous poisons.  Meat-packing plants used chemicals to kill the smell and taste of spoiled meat.

7. TR Actions  TR read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It revealed the problems in the meat industry. The public was outraged!  The Meat inspection Act was passed  The Pure Food and Drug Act soon followed.  Consumers now had a right to know ingredients and how food was processed.

8. Conservation  TR loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He felt that we needed to protect our resources so we could enjoy them for years.  Established National Forests, National Parks, and made companies use resources responsibly  Appointed Gifford Pinchot head of the US Forest Service.

9. TRs greatest contributions  1. He increased the power of the Presidency – the pres. Should be active to help make the US better  2. Regulated big business – allowed it to make $$ but had to do so fairly.  3. Protected consumers and the environment

10. William Howard Taft  Taft won the Election of 1908 – TR felt Taft would do a good job of continuing his policies.  Taft was a progressive but didn’t have a forceful personality like TR and didn’t have as much influence over Congress.

11. Problems with Taft’s administration  The Payne-Aldrich tariff was passed –even though most progressives didn’t like it – they were angry at Taft.  Taft replaced TR’s Sect. Of the Interior which led to a big controversy and then Taft fired Pinchot.  These actions helped progressive Democrats get more seats in Congress

12. Taft’s Achievements  He busted more trusts than TR  He started the Children’s Bureau to investigate Child labor problems  He set up the Bureau of Mines  He helped conservation efforts even more than TR