9.3 TR the Progressive

The Modern President TR was into “manly stuff” like boxing, horseback riding, hunting, etc. – Volunteered in the Spanish-American War, became gov. of New York, then VP in 1900 When McKinley was assasinated in 1901, TR became president – Many conservative Republicans were furious, didn’t like TR

The Modern President TR was the first to really engage the news media to keep his message heard – From his “bully pulpit” he had the world’s attention to present his arguments Like our modern politicians with Twitter, etc. – His overall message was called the “Square Deal,” in which he would help protect average Americans, rather than the big businesses.

The Modern President By turning national attention on himself, he became the first president since Lincoln that was more powerful than Congress. He also expanded presidential powers – The Constitution’s list of presidential powers is vague, he “interpreted” them to be strong

TR Attacks Big Businesses Remember the monopolies & trusts from Ch 6? Roosevelt began using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to actually go after trusts – The first big one to fall was the Northern Securities Co., a railroad monopoly The ICC gained the ability to actually regulate RR companies with the Elkins and Hepburn Acts – No more rebates, kickbacks, and free passes for the rich!

TR Attacks Big Businesses In the 1902 coal strike, TR forced both sides to compromise – Workers received higher pay and shorter hours, companies won the right to hire non-union workers TR created a new expectation that the President was expected to get involved with labor disagreements when the nation would be impacted.

TR’s Health and Safety Reforms 1906 Meat Inspection Act was created as a response to The Jungle – Another example of TR expanding people’s expectation of what their govt. should be involved with

TR’s Health and Safety Reforms Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) tried to stop false advertising of drugs, etc. – Labels requirements still expected consumers to read them and make an informed decision

TR and Conservation As an avid outdoorsman, TR wanted to protect some land from being “developed” – He expanded the National Park system – He also claimed large chunks of land for the govt. to protect for later use – Made sure that water resources in western states would be used responsibly

TR and Civil Rights TR’s progressive record with civil rights is fairly weak – Why is it significant that Booker T. Washington was invited to dinner at the White House, and not someone else instead?