Ch. 22 Battle for National Reform The Presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson

Changing role of Federal Government Gilded Age: most power belonged to Conservative Republicans in Congress. maintained status quo, protect powerful industrialists Theodore Roosevelt - progressive figure in the White House. Accidental President – V.P. in 1900 to get rid of him Popularity of Rough Riders helped re-elect McKinley Progressive views scared conservative Republicans

Trust Busting and the Square Deal TR’s Domestic Policy: use gov’t to regulate business, not destroy trusts. Northern Securities Co.: first Republican President to use Sherman Anti-trust Act on powerful Railroad. First President to side with coal miners in 1902 strike “Trustbuster”- filed over 40 anti-trust suits during his presidency.

Square Deal TR’s Second Term - reform society to create “a Square Deal” for every American. Hepburn Act: regulate railroads and interstate commerce. Pure Food and Drug Act: regulate over the counter medicines. 8 hour work day. Compensation for victims of industrial accidents.

Big Stick Diplomacy TR’s motto - “speak softly and carry a big stick” intimidate to achieve objectives with little action. The Great White Fleet: powerful Navy to influence foreign policy. Panama Canal: TR instigated war with Colombia to gain Panamanian independence, then built the canal

The Roosevelt Corollary: Roosevelt’s addition to the Monroe Doctrine. U.S. could intervene in foreign affairs within American interests. extended U.S. influence beyond Western Hemisphere. intentionally vague, difficult to determine where U.S. interests ended Russo- Japanese War – TR negotiated Treaty of Portsmouth to end the war, won Nobel Peace Prize Boxer Rebellion – surpassed rebellion and open oriental trade through Open Door Policy.

William Howard Taft – hand picked successor of Roosevelt Progressives loved him because of TR Actually more moderate Payne-Aldrich Tariff – lost Congressional support by lowering Roosevelt era tariffs. Public criticism by TR = split Republican Party

Taft’s Downfall Ballinger-Pinchot Dispute: replaced James Garfield with Richard Ballinger as Sec. of Interior Suspicious deal - Ballinger sold 1 million acres U.S. forests Accused of wrongdoing by Gifford Pinchot, head of the Forest Service, and friend of TR. Taft fired Pinchot after dispute in media Created divide between Taft and Roosevelt Progressives in Republican party

Taft’s Successes – contrary to Roosevelt Criticism Filed nearly twice as many anti-trust suits in 4 years as Roosevelt had in 7 years Created the Federal Children’s Bureau - regulated child safety and labor laws. Election of 1912 – TR returned from an African Safari “throw his hat in the ring” First President to seek a third term

Roosevelt vs. Taft Republican Party was bitterly divided. Chicago Convention - Party leaders refused to recognize many delegates supporting TR. Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party and declared himself their candidate. (Bull Moose Party) Democrats - Woodrow Wilson from New Jersey Reluctant candidate, professor of Political Science at Princeton University Wanted to destroy trusts, not regulate them

Election Results Taft – barely campaigned at all 23% popular vote, two states in Electoral College. Roosevelt – energetically campaigned, sidelined after being shot. 27% popular vote, six states in electoral college. Eugene Debs – socialist party candidate, supported by union workers. 6% popular vote, no states. Woodrow Wilson – held most of the Democrats. 42% popular vote, 435 of the 531 electoral college votes.