1. Chapter 9 Section 4 Notes William Howard Taft

2. How did Taft get to be President?
very successful judge
Governed the Philippines after it became a territory
Became Teddy Roosevelt’s Secretary of War
TR convinced Taft to run for president in 1908
after deciding against doing so due to tradition.
Totally different personality than TR
More quiet, didn’t like the media
They poked fun at his appearance
6 ft., 350 lbs. Heaviest President ever
(Could a “large person” be Pres. Today?)

3. 1908 Election
Taft defeats William Jennings Bryan (lost Pres. Election 3 separate times)
- mainly due to TR’s endorsement.
- Taft wasn’t that excited about winning (wife wanted him to be pres.)

4. Facts about Taft’s Presidency
It lasted from 1909 – 1913 (1 term)
He was Republican
Taft heading
to his inauguration

5. Taft’s Biggest Accomplishment Trust Buster
Taft “busted” 90 trusts during his 4 years in office – more than TR did during his 8 years in office.

6. Taft’s political blunders
1. The Payne – Aldrich Tariff (tax on imports)
Taft campaigned that he was going to lower tariffs
This bill actually raised tariffs
Result: Higher cost for foreign products
less competition for US companies

7. 2. A major conservation controversy
Taft hires Richard Ballinger into his Cabinet
Sells 1 million acres of protected lands to businesses.
Taft not concerned about Conservation like TR was.
Gifford Pinchot (appointed under TR) was the official head of the Nat. Govt. conservation effort
He publicly protests Ballinger’s actions (All over the press)
Taft sides with Ballinger, fires Pinchot (public not happy)

8. 3. Taft supported the unpopular conservative Speaker of the House of Representatives (Joe Cannon) and his “stall” tactics in Congress (explain)
Half of his own party opposed (was against) this and turned on him

9. All of these blunders caused most Democrats to win the 1910 mid term elections
The public viewed Taft as a traitor to Roosevelt

10. The 1912 Election – 4 main candidates
Similarities:
1. All against illegal trusts
2. All want more power for regular people
Workers, Consumers
1. Debs (Socialist)
Wanted end to capitalism
No more private businesses
Didn’t come close to winning
Went to jail several times
To help unions
Spoke out on WWI eventually

11. 2. Taft (Republican) Incumbent (already president running again)
Usually an advantage… not this time
Wanted to keep doing what he was doing
Hardly campaigned at all – not a real contender
Was relieved not to win – happier with job after Presidency

12. Hard to win if not in major political party
3. Roosevelt (Progressive or Bull Moose)
Formed from the part of the Republican party that didn’t like Taft
“New Nationalism” Platform
Regulate Trusts (Don’t Ban good ones)
Woman Suffrage
More protections for workers
(women, children, if injured, 8 hr. standard work day)
Was shot during the campaign
he survived and continued
his run for office, but it slowed
him down a lot.
(video on website)
Hard to win if not in major political party

13. 4. Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
Former president of Princeton University (smart guy) and Governor of New Jersey
The party finally picked someone besides Bryan
“New Freedom” Platform
Eliminate All Trusts (create competition)
Lower tariffs
Regulate Banking System (more in Sec. 5)

14. 1912 Election
Taft and Roosevelt split the Republican vote (main reason Wilson won)
- Wilson won all but 8 states (electoral votes) but popular vote close
- 1st Democrat elected in 20 years (Grover Cleveland)

15. 2 stupid facts
1st President to throw out a “1st pitch” to start off the MLB season
Had to have a new bathtub installed in the White House because he got stuck in the old one.

16. Taft was the only person to ever become a Supreme Court judge after finishing his Presidency