1. CH 18 - Progressivism on the National Stage
How well did Presidents Roosevelt, Taft,and Wilson promote progressive goals in national policies?

2. Three Progressive Presidents
Americans began to change their views on the government and president.
All 3 progressive president expanded the power of the presidency.
Teddy Roosevelt became president after McKinley was assassinated.
passion for physical fitness
Impulsive
Very good politician
Believed that businesses, workers, and consumers should all receive fair and honest treatment
Square Deal, focused on regulating big business and protecting workers and consumers.

3. Three Progressive Presidents
Believed the country needed a strong president
Thought that presidential power should be used to benefit all Americans
Served two terms

4. Three Progressive Presidents
Roosevelt confident that Taft would continue his reform program
Quiet and reserved
Cautious
Fought to limit power of corporations
Added land to forest reserve
However, Progressives wanted lower tariffs on imported goods. but in 1909 he agreed to sign a bill that raised tariffs
Tarnished his record as a progressive

5. Three Progressive Presidents
Election of 1912
Roosevelt ran again for a third party
“Bull Moose party”
Republican candidate was Taft
Split between the two made it easy for Woodrow Wilson to win
Wilson
Had idea for New Freedom, a plan to eliminate all trusts, because he felt they were hurting small business
Unsuccessful
First president since Washington to speak in front of congress, promoting bills and reforms

6. Addressing Effects of Industrialization
Roosevelt began the progressive trustbusting movement.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
believed that government should regulate monopolies
Sometimes he had to break up trusts rather than regulate them.
reputation as a trustbuster.
limited the power of railroads to set shipping rates

7. Addressing Effects of Industrialization
Taft supported a stricter interpretation of the Sherman Act.
he prosecuted any trusts that had the effect of limiting trade, regardless of intent.
Wilson took even stronger action by making it harder to form trusts to form and to squeeze out competition.
protected labor unions from antitrust regulation.
Created the Federal Trade Commission

8. Protecting Consumers and Workers
Roosevelt
passed the Pure food and Drug Act, establishing the food and drug administration to test and approve drugs before the went on the market.
Also passed the Meat Inspection Act
Improved working conditions for coal miners
Taft
Children's Bureau - investigate the welfare of children
Wilson
Ban on child labor for interstate commerce (10 percent of children in labor force)

9. Protecting the Environment
Roosevelt
Preservationist (protection from development)
U.S. Forest Service
Set aside 150 million acres
Taft
2.7 million acres to National Wildlife Refuge
Sold some open land to developers
Wilson
National Park Service
Yellowstone, first park
Preservationists supported tourism to parks

10. Reforming the National Government
Reforming the Banking System
Wilson helped create the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the U.S. It manages the nation's money supply, making the financial system much more stable.
Reforming Taxes
Taft and congress proposed the 16th amendment, allowing the federal government to impose income tax.
Ratified under Wilson
Graduated income tax
Those with more pay more

11. Reforming the National Government
Electing Senators
17th Amendment, direct election of senators by popular vote. Giving average citizens more influence in the senate.
Legislating Morals: Prohibition
Most advocates for prohibition were women
Argued alcohol mad men unable to support their wives and children
Wilson supported amendment after U.S. entered WWI
18th amendment, manufacture, sale, or transportation of liquor is illegal

12. Reforming the National Government
Women’s Suffrage
19th amendment, gave women the right to vote