Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (TR)  1901 – McKinley is assassinated: TR becomes president at the age of 42  He believed the US had to be strong and compete internationally.  He was a progressive who believed that the US needed many reforms with regard to big business, consumer protection, and the environment. He called his programs the “square deal”

TR and big Business  TR felt that large corporations helped the US progress BUT they needed to be regulated and follow certain rules  First Case: Northern Securities (owned by JP Morgan) was brought to trial – the SC ruled it violated Sherman Anti-Trust act  TR was hailed as “trust-buster”

The Coal Strike of 1902  Spring 1902, 150,00 coal miners in PA go on strike.  By the fall, strike not settled, winter is coming- without coal – big problems ahead  TR asks owners and union to use ARBITRATION ( a neutral third party decides)  Union says yes – owners say no  TR threatens owners (will use army to run the mines)  Arbitration takes place, strike over, TRs actions very popular with the American people.

More Business regulations  Hepburn Act – this helped regulate the railroads  TR would meet with any business to convince them to accept regulations rather than go to court.

Protecting Consumers  At this time, there were no government inspections of the food or medicine producing process.  Patent medicines claimed to cure any illness but were often made of alcohol, water or even small amounts of dangerous poisons.  Meat-packing plants used chemicals to kill the smell and taste of spoiled meat.

TR Actions  TR read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It revealed the problems in the meat industry. The public was outraged!  The Meat inspection Act was passed  The Pure Food and Drug Act soon followed.  Consumers now had a right to know ingredients and how food was processed.

Conservation  TR loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He felt that we needed to protect our resources so we could enjoy them for years.  Established National Forests, National Parks, and made companies use resources responsibly  Appointed Gifford Pinchot head of the US Forest Service.

TRs greatest contributions  1. He increased the power of the Presidency – the pres. Should be active to help make the US better  2. Regulated big business – allowed it to make $$ but had to do so fairly.  3. Protected consumers and the environment

William Howard Taft  Taft won the Election of 1908 – TR felt Taft would do a good job of continuing his policies.  Taft was a progressive but didn’t have a forceful personality like TR and didn’t have as much influence over Congress.

Problems with Taft’s administration  The Payne-Aldrich tariff was passed –even though most progressives didn’t like it – they were angry at Taft.  Taft replaced TR’s Sect. Of the Interior which led to a big controversy and then Taft fired Pinchot.  These actions helped progressive Democrats get more seats in Congress

Taft’s Achievements  He busted more trusts than TR  He started the Children’s Bureau to investigate Child labor problems  He set up the Bureau of Mines  He helped conservation efforts even more than TR