Pinchot seems to see big business—in this case, lumber companies—as an entity that needs government oversight, much as Roosevelt viewed monopolies.

Discussion  How is Pinchot’s comment similar to Roosevelt’s comment on wealth and misconduct from the previous lesson? Pinchot seems to see big business—in this case, lumber companies—as an entity that needs government oversight, much as Roosevelt viewed monopolies.

Conservation  Roosevelt supported the Newlands Reclamation Act, which authorized the use of federal funds to pay for irrigation and land development.  Roosevelt tapped close friend Gifford Pinchot to head the U.S. Forest Service, designed to manage the vast timber resources of the West.  Roosevelt added over 100 million acres to national forests and established 5 new national parks and 51 federal wildlife reservations.

Discussion Teddy Roosevelt said that the government had to differentiate “between the man who skins the land and the man who develops the country.” What does it mean to skin the land? It means to exploit or frivolously use natural resources for quick economic gain while not bothering to think of the lasting impact.

Discussion  How did Roosevelt’s theory about the best way to run national forests differ from the laissez- faire argument of businesses that was popular at the time? The laissez-faire argument is that control of the forests should be put in the hands of lumber companies. Roosevelt did not trust the lumber industry enough and believed it was the government’s responsibility to protect the forests.

Predictable Misunderstanding  You may think that Theodore Roosevelt established the national parks.  In fact, the first national parks were created by Andrew Jackson in Roosevelt expanded the system and established the United States Forest Service to manage national forests and grasslands.

Reforms During Taft’s Presidency  Business Taft focused on breaking up trusts and brought twice as many antitrust cases to court as Roosevelt. Roosevelt criticized Taft for undermining the system of cooperation and regulation established during his administration.  Workplace Safety Taft established the Children’s Bureau in This agency investigated and publicized problems with child labor.  Consumer Safety Taft continued with Roosevelt’s Drug and Safety reforms, enforcing meat inspections and drug labeling.  Conservation Taft named Richard A. Ballinger Secretary of the Interior. Ballinger was a conservative corporate lawyer who tried to make public forests available for private development, which strongly opposed progressive ideals.  Economic Taft supported tariff reductions, but his position changed during negotiations. He signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff into law, which only slightly cut most tariffs and actually raised tariffs on some goods.

Discussion  Roosevelt personally supported Taft as his presidential successor. Why do you think his support of Taft changed so drastically? Roosevelt probably expected Taft to continue the policies and procedures Roosevelt had established in his presidency. When Taft took different approaches, Roosevelt’s support disappeared and he actively opposed Taft’s policies.

Discussion  What were some achievements of the Progressive movement? The Progressive movement identified societal ills that needed to be addressed. Laws were passed to protect consumers and workers. Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration were established.

Discussion  What more could progressives have done to improve the lives of Americans? Progressives could have become more involved in the suffrage movement, or civil rights. Some students may remark on the need for health care.