1. The Progressive Presidents
Section 2

2. Teddy Roosevelt BACKGROUND Childhood: Adulthood: Wealthy NY family
Asthma, sickness
Adulthood:
Moved up in gov’t and politics

3. T.R. and Business Not against big business
There are “good” and “bad” trusts
Gov’t must break up “bad” trusts
Reputation = TRUSTBUSTER
Ex: Northern Securities Trust
T. R.: unfair business practices
Supreme Court: violates Sherman Antitrust Act
Landmark: 1st time Act used against business, not labor

4. T.R. and Labor Stood up for workers
Example: Pennsylvania Coal Miners strike
Owners won’t negotiate with union
T.R. threatened to send troops
Owners and union reach agreement
1st Pres. To side with strikers

5. T.R. and Environment Goal: Problem: T.R.: Use natural resources wisely
Protect nation’s wilderness
Problem:
industries using lumber, iron, coal
T.R.: Use natural resources wisely
Solutions:
Conservation
U.S. Forest Service
National parks

6. T.R. and Consumers Goal: Problem: Solutions: Protect Consumers
Food and drug production and labeling
Solutions:
Meatpacking plant inspections
Pure Food and Drug Act

7. William Howard Taft BACKGROUND T.R.’s secretary of war
Backed by T.R. for president
Quiet, cautious, careful of power

8. Taft Supports Progressives
Broke up trusts
Favored graduated income tax
Approved mine safety rules
Signed 8-hour workday laws
Created office to control child labor

9. Taft Loses Progressive Support
Rose tariffs
Which raise prices for consumers
Modified conservation policies

10. Woodrow Wilson BACKGROUND Princeton U. Pres. N.J. Governor
Brilliant, cautious, honest, idealistic

11. Wilson’s New Freedom Goal: Restore free enterprise Solution:
Federal Trade Commission
Keep companies from destroying competition
Clayton Antitrust Act
Banned practices that limited competition
Federal Reserve Act
Set up federal banks
Gov’t can raise or lower interest rates

12. Becoming President Theodore Roosevelt (R) McKinley’s VP
Pres after assassination
Re-elected Pres. 1904
Square Deal

13. Becoming President William Howard Taft (R) T.R. = Secretary of War
Picked by T.R. to run
Wins pres. 1908

14. Becoming President Woodrow Wilson (D) T.R. = Progressive Party
Taft = Republican Party
Taft and T.R. split votes
Wilson wins Pres. 1912
New Freedom

15. Objectives