Presidents of the Progressive Era Roosevelt Taft Wilson

Theodore Roosevelt With the assassination of President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the youngest President in the Nation's history. He brought new excitement and power to the Presidency, as he vigorously led Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy.

His View as President The President is a "steward of the people" should take whatever action necessary for the public good unless expressly forbidden by law or the Constitution. "I did not usurp power," he wrote, "but I did greatly broaden the use of executive power."

Roosevelt: the Government should arbitrate between capital and labor guarantee justice to each and dispensing favors to none. (Square Deal for All)

2. Coal Strike Roosevelt threatened government takeover of the mines, which ended the dispute. Government should intervene in strikes: When it’s in the public interest to do so. Showed that disputes could be settled in an orderly way.

1. Trustbusting Curb all trusts that hurt the public interest. Filed 44 antitrust suits. Winning 6 of them. Standard Oil broken up into companies in each state to avoid gov’t regulation.

3. Railroad Regulation Elkins Act: made it illegal for railroad officials to give and shippers to receive rebates for using particular railroads. RR could not change set rates without notifying the public. Hepburn Act: limited the distribution of free RR passes to gov’t officials. Gave the ICC power to set maximum RR rates.

4. Regulating Food and Drugs Pushed for Meat Inspection Act after Upton’s Sinclair’s The Jungle. Meat Inspection Act Pure Food and Drug Act

5. Conservation Conservation: some wilderness areas would be preserved while others would be developed for the common good. Set aside 150 million acres of forest reserve. 1.5 million acres of water-power sites 80 million acres of land that experts form the U.S. Geological Survey would explore for mineral and water resources. Established > 50 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks: Crater Lake, Wind Cave, Yosemite

Roosevelt and the Panama Canal Aware of the strategic need for a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific, Roosevelt ensured the construction of the Panama Canal. His corollary to the Monroe Doctrine prevented the establishment of foreign bases in the Caribbean and arrogated the sole right of intervention in Latin America to the United States. Get permission from Columbia, which then ruled Panama. U.S. paid $10 million plus an annual rent of $250,000 for an area of land across Panama.

Interesting Facts on Taft Taft was a more cautious progressive than Roosevelt but did break up more trusts than Roosevelt. Taft was unable to appease both the reform-minded progressives and the conservatives within his party. If not for Taft, Wilson would not have become President.

Taft Presidency supposed to carry on Square Deal Busts 90 Trusts in four years Promises to lower tariffs Payne Aldrich Tariff Act Lowers tariffs on some items but raises tariffs on other imports Names Richard Ballinger as Secretary of Interior Ballinger opens up 1 million acres to timber and mining Progressives mad at Taft for these acts Taft not seen as Progressive enough Roosevelt decided to run again but is not chosen by Republicans Roosevelt sets up Bull Moose Party to run against Taft Hands the Presidency to Woodrow Wilson as a result

Election of 1912

Woodrow Wilson His plan is called “New Freedom” Wilson regarded himself as the personal representative of the people. "No one but the President," he said, "seems to be expected ... to look out for the general interests of the country." He reorganized the Executive Branch to make it more efficient and concentrate power in an “elite” group. In 1917 he proclaimed American entrance into World War I a crusade to make the world "safe for democracy."

Wilson’s New Freedom Three Goals: Attack Trusts, Reduce Tariffs, Reorganize the Financial System Refutes Laissez Faire “Freedom is more than being left alone.”

Attack Trusts Clayton Antitrust Act Federal Trade Act Strengthens Sherman Act Corporations can’t buy stocks of other companies to set up monopoly. Holds officers of company liable for the company’s actions. Makes unions legal. Sets up Federal Trade Commission 5 member watchdog group to oversee trade violations. Corporations now have to answer to the government Commission can make business stop illegal practices.

Attack Tariffs Underwood Tariff Reduced tariffs and increased competition for American businesses big business against it Wilson goes to the American people directly to ask for support in congress.

Financial Reforms 16th Amendment Federal Reserve Act Makes income tax legal Income tax was declared unconstitutional 3 times before. Need constitutional amendment to make it legal Federal Reserve Act Sets up Federal Reserve System 12 districts issue currency to regulate the economy.

Federal Reserve System

Wilson’s reforms continued Expanded segregation in the federal government and military. Retreated on Civil Rights like Roosevelt and Taft. Wanted to reorganize the Executive Branch Gave the executive more power-the bureaucracy we see today stems from his efforts.

Square Deal New Freedom Roosevelt Both Wilson