Day 15 Objectives Evaluate the degree to which Taft and Wilson were Progressive Presidents Analyze the reforms implemented by Taft and Wilson during their Presidencies
Best tariff bill the Rep Party has ever passed. Taft’s Issues Best tariff bill the Rep Party has ever passed. Wrong Branch… Inherits disunited Republican Party… Eastern Conservatives vs Western Progressives Old Guard vs “Insurgents” Is Taft allowed to be his own President? Early on, Taft picks which side? Old Guard…Cabinet and Payne-Aldrich Tariff… But he does push for the 16th Am (Progressive)
Give me a break…I was Progressive too… Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy (1910) Opening coal fields in Alaska to private mining interests Pinchot fights back and breaks some rules… Pinchot fired 8 hour day Broke up more trusts than TR did
Republican Party in 1912 Split…how Progressives (Insurgents) with TR Conservatives with Taft 8 hour day Broke up more trusts than TR did
TR is Back Osawatomoie Kansas Speech in August 1910 Admits trust-busting has failed Called for “New Nationalism” New progressive platform
Republicans need to pick their guy!!!! Why does Taft win? What does TR do next?
Progressive Party Direct Primary Initiative Referendum Women’s Suffrage Prohibition of Child Labor Workmen’s Compensation 8-hour day Minimum wages for women Social Security Regulate Big Business
TR vs Taft got ugly
Dems offer Progressivism too Grew up in South Intellectual more than Politician College shaped his views from Old Democrat (TJ) to New Democrat… Many writings on his theories of gov Like TR… Large gov is good… Prez = spokesman for the people Anti-Socialism
Wilson’s Background President of Princeton 1902-1910 Governor of NJ 1911-1913 Defeated NJ Bosses Passed many Progressive Laws Most of them are Laws TR would have applauded
Wilson vs TR New Nationalism Regulate Monopoly Trusts New Freedom Break up Monopoly Trusts (artificial creations of greedy men aided by gov) Regulate competition between free big businesses
These guys on the Spectrum?
This explains why Wilson beat TR
Wilson’s New Freedom Programs Underwood-Simmons Tariff 1913 “Pressures” Senators to vote for it Federal Reserve System 1913 Central banking system subdivided into 12 districts, privately owned Supervised by the Federal Reserve Board appointed by the President Clayton Anti-Trust Act 1914 Gave teeth to Sherman Anti-Trust Act Protects Unions and Farmers Coops Federal Trade Commission 1914 had power to prevent illegal suppression of competition (Monopolies!!) Many more!!
Government needed to replace revenue lost by lowering tariff rates 16th Amendment 1913 Federal Income Tax Government needed to replace revenue lost by lowering tariff rates Individual earnings and corporate profits Represents the governments main source of revenue Underway during Taft, all three candidates favored the tax
End of Progressivism Active first term