Progressive Reforms and the Men Who Loved them The Presidents Behind the Era: Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson

Brainstorm time! Write this stuff down in your notes! Progressive movement- what is it? Why do you think this political movement became so popular? Give some examples of industries/society that needed reforming.

Theodore Roosevelt The man. The myth.

Rough Riding Republican Youngest President (42) ½ Social Darwinist Believed in US competition with other nations Supported Imperialistic goals ½ Progressive Government needed to ensure fair treatment of citizens Big Idea: Progressive reforms would make the US more competitive

The Square Deal TR’s domestic policy Offers a fair playing field Conservation of natural resources Control of corporations Consumer Protection

The Trust Buster “Good Trust” vs “Bad Trust” Good might dominate an industry, but it still offered good prices and products Only TR could decide which trusts to go after **Hint hint- he greatly expanded power and role of the executive which brought a lot of criticism**

The infant Hercules and the Standard Oil Serpents

Coal Miner’s Strike of 1902 United Mine Workers wanted increase in pay, reduction in work hours TR wanted strike dealt with quickly Offered to set up meeting b/w workers and owners Owners refused TR ticked off! Threatened to send in troops… on behalf of the workers! First time fed gov’t sided with workers Peaceful solution

The Progressive Bureau of Corporations (1903) Authority to investigate suspicious corporations US Steel “Gentleman’s agreement” to avoid lawsuit Pure Food and Drug Act/ Meat Inspection Act (1906) Fed regulation of food and meat industry Drugs and food items actually had to be what they said it was Public outrage over “The Jungle” inspired legislation Hepburn Act (1906) Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission some actual power Could actually set rates

The Conservationist Newlands Reclamation Act (1902) Fed $ to pay for irrigation and building projects Controlling lumber industry on federal land Over 200 million acres set aside, 5 national parks, 50+ wildlife sanctuaries Essentially, we have to conserve our resources so future generations can use them Fun fact! TR refused to cut down a Christmas tree for the White House during his time as president The Teddy bear was named after TR

Not Even a Bathtub Could Stop Him William Howard Taft Not Even a Bathtub Could Stop Him

He busted trusts, but they weren’t the ones TR wanted…. More trust busting No longer distinguishing b/w good and bad trusts Went after Standard Oil TR not happy Fired one of TRs former advisors for insubordination Payne-Aldrich Tariff Didn’t lower tariffs as much as TR wanted

Rift between TR and Taft at Election Time How might TR and the Progressives have dealt with Taft? Taft won the Republican nomination TR broke off and formed 3rd party- Bullmoose Party How do you think this affected the 1912 election?

Election of 1912 William H. Taft (incumbent)- Republican Party Theodore Roosevelt- Progressive/ Bull Moose Party Woodrow Wilson- Democrat Wilson won because Republicans split b/c of third party

This Presidency is brought to you by the Bull Moose Party Woodrow Wilson This Presidency is brought to you by the Bull Moose Party

Wilson’s Administration 16th Amendment (1913) Tax individuals and businesses on their income Aka graduated income tax Federal Reserve Act (1913) Set interest rates and money supply Federal Trade Commission Power to investigate shady businesses

Improved Working Conditions Clayton Anti-Trust Act Legalized unions More federal power against trusts Keating-Owen Act (1916) Banned anyone under 14 from working for factory tied to interstate commerce Adamson Act 8 hr work day for RR workers

More Laws Passed 17th Amendment (1913) 18th Amendment (1919) Direct election of Senators 18th Amendment (1919) Prohibition of making and selling alcohol 19th Amendment (1920) Women granted right to vote