Progressivism Under Taft Chapter 9 Section 4 The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th Century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard_Taft

Taft Becomes President Roosevelt’s hand-picked successor Had served as Sec. of War Ran against William Jennings Bryan “Vote for Taft this time, you can vote for Bryan anytime”. What is that all about???? 6 foot tall and 350 pounds, making Taft our largest president.

Taft Stumbles Taft busted 90 trusts in 4 years quietly Payne-Aldrich Tariff Campaigned on lowering tariffs Signed the Tariff Act although it didn’t really cut tariffs as was the original intent Helped to split the Republican Party Disputing Public Lands Appointed Sec. of Interior Ballinger who disapproved of conservation Ballinger opened millions of acres to private businesses to exploit resources Gifford Pinchot openly criticized the Taft administration’s policies in Congressional hearings and was fired.

The Republican Party Splits 2 Wings of the Republican Party Conservative who did not like change and had supported the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Progressives who sought change Control of the House Committee on Rules Dispute Conservative dictator of the House, Joe Cannon, weakened or killed most progressive bills Progressive Republicans and Democrats passed a bill to elect the Committee on Rules thus ending Joe Cannon’s rule Shambles in the Republican Party cause the Democrats to gain control of the House of Reps. – 1st time in 18 years.

The Bull Moose Party Formed Election of 1912 Taft runs as the incumbent (Conservative Republican) Roosevelt challenges and the division in the Republican Party causes the formation of the Bull Moose Party (Progressive Reform) Wilson runs as the Democratic Challenger (Progressive Reform) Eugene V. Debs runs as the Socialist Candidate (Progressive Radical Reform)

Party Platforms Taft – Conservative Candidate Roosevelt – Strong as a Bull Moose Direct Election of Senators Initiative, Referendum and Recall Woman Suffrage National Workmen’s Comp 8 hour work day Federal child labor law Federal trade commission to regulate business Wilson – New Freedom Anti-Trust Legislation Banking Reform Reducing Tariffs Debs Called for an end to Capitalism Even distribution of Wealth

Election of 1912 Results Taft Roosevelt Wilson Debs 42 % of popular vote 435 Electoral Votes - Winner Debs 900,000 popular votes (6% total) Add Taft and Roosevelt’s votes together. Would that have been enough to defeat Wilson?? Taft and Roosevelt split the republican vote and allowed the Democrats to win the Presidency 75% of the vote went to reform candidates and showed that the American public wanted change.

The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th Century Wilson’s New Freedom Chapter 9 Section 5 The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th Century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodrow_Wilson

Wilson’s Background Son, Grandson, and Nephew of Presbyterian ministers. Religious Background Lived in the South during Civil War and Reconstruction “Born halfway between the Bible and the dictionary and never got away from either.” Political Science Professor President of Princeton University Governor of New Jersey

New Freedom Trusts Tariffs High Finance

Trusts Clayton Anti-trust Act Strengthen the Sherman Anti-Trust Act Prohibits corporations from acquiring stock of another company if that creates a monopoly. Specified that labor unions and farm organizations not only have a right to exist but also are no longer subject to antitrust laws.

Federal Trade Act 1914 Established the Federal Trade Commission Watchdog agency Given power to investigate possible violations of regulatory statues Can require periodic reports from companies Can put an end to unfair business practices Can issue cease-and-desist orders to companies engaged in illegal activities.

Tariffs Underwood Tariff Act of 1913 Federal Income Tax Substantially reduced tariffs for the 1st time since the Civil War Federal Income Tax 16th Amendment

Banking / High Finance Federal Reserve Act Federal Reserve System Divide nation into 12 banking districts with each having a Federal Reserve Bank. Can anyone bank there? Who can? Still the basis of the nation’s banking system today. http://www.federalreserve.gov/otherfrb.htm http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/frseries/frseri3.htm