Progressivism Under Taft Taft was the son of a prominent judge, attended Yale, and practiced law in Ohio. He much preferred studying and practicing the law to politics. Later, he would become a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Taft Becomes President Endorsed by Roosevelt as 1908 Republican candidate Many believed he would continue Roosevelt’s progressive policies Ran against William Jennings Bryan Democratic nominee for 3rd time Prior to serving as President, Taft was the Chief Civil Administrator to the Philippines and Secretary of War under Roosevelt

Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909) Taft promised lower tariffs Followed Progressive Party ideals House Payne Bill that increased rates on imported goods Senate Aldrich Bill made fewer cuts to tariffs Payne-Aldrich Bill combined both Taft signed and outraged Progressives -Representative Sereno E. Payne (R–NY) and Senator Nelson W.Aldrich (R–RI) - bill raising certain tariffs on goods entering the United States.

Ballinger Secretary of Interior Richard A. Ballinger Disapproved of conservation Removed 1 million acres of forest and mining reserve Returned it to public domain Muckraking article published Gifford Pinchot (head of U.S. Forest Service) supported article Fired by Taft

Republican Party Splits Division Progressives Promoted reform Conservatives Did not want reform “I am afraid I am a constant disappointment to my party. The fact of the matter is, the longer I am president the less of a party man I seem to become. “ – William H. Taft

Republican Party Splits Joseph Cannon Controversy Failed to play party politics Did not acknowledge seniority Failed to support progressive reforms Progressive Republicans tried to remove him from office Republican split leads to Democratic victory in 1910 mid-term elections

Republicans Split Election of 1912 Taft (Republican) Roosevelt (Bull Moose) Wilson (Democrat) Debs (Socialist)

Democrats Win in 1912 Wilson’s “New Freedom” Views on Business Promoted reforms for trusts, banking, and tariffs Views on Business Roosevelt: Gov’t should supervise big business Wilson: All trusts and monopolies are bad Debs: Gov’t should distribute wealth equally among all people

Democrats Win in 1912 Wilson wins and has support for his policies "No one but the President," Wilson said, "seems to be expected ... to look out for the general interests of the country."