Theodore Roosevelt I Unit 2.2

Learning Targets I can identify important Progressive leaders and the changes for which they were advocating. I can explain the nature of the Progressive movement and evaluate its successes or failures. I can analyze the methods used to achieve changes in American society and how affective each of them was. I can evaluate the legacy left by Progressive reformers today. I can identify regulations placed on big businesses during the Progressive Era. I can demonstrate how the US impacted the affairs of other countries.

Theodore Roosevelt 26th President (1901-1909) Republican from NY Former VP, cleaned up crime in NYC Born rich, wife/mom died same day Went west to become a cowboy Volunteered for SA War where he became a hero Teddy Bear named after him

Square Deal TR was a progressive, and he intended to change the US drastically. His domestic plan was called the Square Deal, which focused on his 3 C’s Corporations Consumer Protection Conservation

Corporations Since the Gilded Age, companies had profited through monopolies. The Interstate Commerce Act and Sherman Antitrust Act were supposed to stop trusts, but were rarely used. TR went after trusts he considered bad by trust-busting. Using the courts he destroyed many monopolies, including JP Morgan’s. TR was also tough on labor disputes. The 1902 Coal Strike saw the president intervene, threatening to use the army to take over coal mines in workers and owners could not cooperate. TR advocated for increased regulations for corporations.

Consumer Protection Muckraker Upton Sinclair released a novel “The Jungle”- about the meatpacking industry. Up to this point, there were no laws requiring sanitation in food processing or truth in advertising. “The Jungle” exposed the disgusting truth about what the US was eating. TR and Congress responded with: Meat Inspection Act- gov. employees have to inspect meat before being sold. Pure Food and Drug Act- required labels to be truthful about ingredients. The government was now in the business of protecting consumers.

Conservation TR was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was concerned with the destruction of our natural wonders. TR established the ability of the Pres. to declare certain sites as National Monuments. Before TR the US had 3 National Parks, TR creates 4 more. TR also buys land around the country to make National Forests. TR was the first politician to recognize that nature needed protecting.

First Flight In 1903 the Wright Brothers achieve fame by successfully flying the 1st airplane in NC. The field of aviation experiences rapid changes as others build upon the Wright Bros success.