TR, Taft, and Wilson Aim: Were they true “progressives”?

TR’s Domestic Accomplishments  “Square Deal” - three C’s: control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation.  anthracite coal strike in Pennsylvania declared that he would seize the mines and operate them with federal troops. Owners reluctantly agreed to arbitration workers received a 10 percent pay increase and a nine-hour working day. first time a president sided with unions

TR  Trustbusting - Some trusts were effective and legitimate, but many engaged in corrupt business practices. Roosevelt initiated legal proceedings against Northern Securities and eventually the Supreme Court ordered that the company be dissolved.  Department of Commerce and Labor This cabinet-level department was designed to monitor corporations and ensure that they engaged in fair business practices.

TR  RR Regulation Elkins Act - levied heavy fines on companies that engaged in illegal rebating. Hepburn Act - strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission.  Consumer Protection Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act

TR  Conservation Newlands Act of allowed the federal government to sell public lands in the arid, desert western states and devote the proceeds to irrigation projects. Set aside 125 million acres of timberlands as federal reserves. Environmentalists such as John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the upstart Sierra Club aided Roosevelt in his efforts.

TR’s successor  ube.com/watch? v=n6H97Fgqrs4 ube.com/watch? v=n6H97Fgqrs4

I. William Howard Taft ( ) Signed Payne-Aldrich Tariff bill – raised tariff, benefiting big business at expense of consumers Ballinger-Pinchot Affair  Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot (TR appointee) publicly denounced Sec. of Interior Ballinger’s environmental policies  Taft fires Pinchot  cause rift b/w Taft and TR, and a schism within the Republican party Key reforms passed by Congress:  Children’s Bureau  Regulation of mine and RR safety  Eight-hour workday for federal employees Trust-busting – US Steel, etc.

II Election

Candidates  Woodrow Wilson - Democrat “New Freedom” – promised to use antitrust legislation to get rid of big corporations and to give small businesses and farmers better opportunities. Supported states’ rights and limited gov’t Attack what Wilson called the “Triple Wall of Privilege”— the tariff, the banks, and the trusts..  Theodore Roosevelt – Progressive (Bull Moose) “New Nationalism” – wanted to increase power of federal gov’t, decrease power of the courts, and expand the role of president; promoted social justice.  William H. Taft – Republican  Eugene V. Debs – Socialist

III. Woodrow Wilson ( )  Reforms during Wilson’s presidency Underwood Tariff – lowered tariff rates by 15% 16th Amendment – federal income tax 17th Amendment – direct election of senators Federal Reserve Act – established a national banking system controlled by Federal Reserve Board; regulated currency (inflation/deflation) and interest rates Federal Reserve Act Clayton Antitrust Act – outlawed unfair business practices, such as price discrimination and interlocking directorates Federal Trade Commission – had wide investigatory powers to prosecute corporations for “unfair trade practices;” regulated big business Keating-Owen Child Labor Law 18th Amendment – prohibition

III. Woodrow Wilson  The Limits of Progressivism Wilson reluctantly signed many pieces of legislation Industrial Workers of the World (IWW – “Wobblies) were formed by William “Big Bill” Haywood to address the needs of unskilled workers Women’s Rights (tomorrow’s lesson) Jim Crow laws - African Americans still struggled for equality  Wilson himself was very racist, segregated the federal gov’t According to the Republican Colored Advisory Committee, “No sooner had the Democratic Administration come into power than Mr. Wilson and his advisors entered upon a policy to eliminate all colored citizens from representation in the Federal Government” (1916).