1. Progressive Reforms and the Men Who Loved them
The Presidents Behind the Era:
Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson

2. Brainstorm time! Write this stuff down in your notes!
Progressive movement- what is it?
Why do you think this political movement became so popular?
Give some examples of industries/society that needed reforming.

3. Theodore Roosevelt
The man. The myth.

4. Rough Riding Republican
Youngest President (42)
½ Social Darwinist
Believed in US competition with other nations
Supported Imperialistic goals
½ Progressive
Government needed to ensure fair treatment of citizens
Big Idea:
Progressive reforms would make the US more competitive

5. The Square Deal TR’s domestic policy Offers a fair playing field
Conservation of natural resources
Control of corporations
Consumer Protection

6. The Trust Buster “Good Trust” vs “Bad Trust”
Good might dominate an industry, but it still offered good prices and products
Only TR could decide which trusts to go after
**Hint hint- he greatly expanded power and role of the executive which brought a lot of criticism**

7. The infant Hercules and the Standard Oil Serpents

8. Coal Miner’s Strike of 1902
United Mine Workers wanted increase in pay, reduction in work hours
TR wanted strike dealt with quickly
Offered to set up meeting b/w workers and owners
Owners refused
TR ticked off! Threatened to send in troops… on behalf of the workers!
First time fed gov’t sided with workers
Peaceful solution

9. The Progressive Bureau of Corporations (1903)
Authority to investigate suspicious corporations
US Steel
“Gentleman’s agreement” to avoid lawsuit
Pure Food and Drug Act/ Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Fed regulation of food and meat industry
Drugs and food items actually had to be what they said it was
Public outrage over “The Jungle” inspired legislation
Hepburn Act (1906)
Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission some actual power
Could actually set rates

10. The Conservationist Newlands Reclamation Act (1902)
Fed $ to pay for irrigation and building projects
Controlling lumber industry on federal land
Over 200 million acres set aside, 5 national parks, 50+ wildlife sanctuaries
Essentially, we have to conserve our resources so future generations can use them
Fun fact! TR refused to cut down a Christmas tree for the White House during his time as president
The Teddy bear was named after TR

11. Not Even a Bathtub Could Stop Him
William Howard Taft
Not Even a Bathtub Could Stop Him

12. He busted trusts, but they weren’t the ones TR wanted….
More trust busting
No longer distinguishing b/w good and bad trusts
Went after Standard Oil
TR not happy
Fired one of TRs former advisors for insubordination
Payne-Aldrich Tariff
Didn’t lower tariffs as much as TR wanted

14. Rift between TR and Taft at Election Time
How might TR and the Progressives have dealt with Taft?
Taft won the Republican nomination
TR broke off and formed 3rd party- Bullmoose Party
How do you think this affected the 1912 election?

16. Election of 1912 William H. Taft (incumbent)- Republican Party
Theodore Roosevelt- Progressive/ Bull Moose Party
Woodrow Wilson- Democrat
Wilson won because Republicans split b/c of third party

18. This Presidency is brought to you by the Bull Moose Party
Woodrow Wilson
This Presidency is brought to you by the Bull Moose Party

19. Wilson’s Administration
16th Amendment (1913)
Tax individuals and businesses on their income
Aka graduated income tax
Federal Reserve Act (1913)
Set interest rates and money supply
Federal Trade Commission
Power to investigate shady businesses

20. Improved Working Conditions
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Legalized unions
More federal power against trusts
Keating-Owen Act (1916)
Banned anyone under 14 from working for factory tied to interstate commerce
Adamson Act
8 hr work day for RR workers

21. More Laws Passed 17th Amendment (1913) 18th Amendment (1919)
Direct election of Senators
18th Amendment (1919)
Prohibition of making and selling alcohol
19th Amendment (1920)
Women granted right to vote