American Presidents of the Reform Era Roosevelt to Wilson and the Election of 1912

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt President, –Youngest President at age 43 New York Republican

Roosevelt’s Presidency Domestic Issues - “Bully Activist” –“Square Deal” - Business Reform “Trust-buster” –Environmentalist 194 million acres for National Parks –Public Health Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) Yellow Fever

William Howard Taft President, Ohio Republican Weighed 300 pounds

Taft Presidency, Series of reforms –Anti-trust cases –Tariff reductions –Strengthened Interstate Commerce Act Although TR earned the name “Trust- buster”, Taft actually broke apart more trusts

Taft and Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt more and more disenchanted with his successor –Taft fired TR’s Chief of Forest Service 1910 Midterm Elections –Democrats take House

Taft and Roosevelt Taft Anti-trust case criticizes TR policy –US Steel –Roosevelt declares for nomination Increasing split among Republicans –Conservative camp –Progressive camp Robert LaFollette

Republican Convention LaFolletteRooseveltTaft

Republican Convention RooseveltTaft “Fathead!” “Dumber than a guinea pig” “Demagogue!” “Dangerous Egoist”

Republican Convention Progressive wing (TR & LaFollette) split delegate vote Taft takes Conservatives TR and allies walk out and vow to start new party - The Progressive Party

Democratic Convention Highly contested William J. Bryan backs Wilson Wilson wins on 46th ballot

Campaign Teddy Roosevelt and Progressive Party –“Bull Moose” Party “New Nationalism” –Government involvement in the economy –Guarantee social justice –Protecting labor –Women’s suffrage

Campaign Taft –Incumbents traditionally did not campaign Surrogates back conservative platform –Some reform –Maintain tariffs

Campaign Wilson and the Democrats “New Freedom” –Reform, but not radical –Government not to interfere too much in economy –Reduce tariffs –Good government –Women’s suffrage a state issue

Campaign Eugene V. Debs Candidate in 1904 and 1908, as well as 1912 Socialist –Government ownership of some industry –Sweeping labor reforms –Women’s suffrage

Results

Wilson’s Presidency Domestic Issues –18 th Amendment: Prohibition –19 th Amendment: Votes for Women –Federal Reserve System –Federal Farm Loan Act –Some support for Labor Unions