The Progressive Presidents

I. Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal TR’s approach to social problems Believed all people have an equal opportunity to succeed through strong personal ethics, a sense of squareness, and adherence to the law The “Trustbuster” Wanted to regulate business and end trusts Sought out only those trusts that damaged the public or broke the law

Labor Disputes and Corporate Regulation Coal Strike of 1902 One of the most prolonged strikes in history Union called for higher wages and shorter hours TR threatened military use to keep mines open; owners backed down; TR credited with ending the strike Hepburn Act of 1906 Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission Abolished “free pass” to friends Widened commissions jurisdiction and power to fix rates

II. William H. Taft Sought to carry on TR’s progressive reforms Payne-Aldrich Tariff Attempted to reduce tariff; protected industries and kept consumer prices high Prosecuted more “trust” cases than TR Passed 16th Amendment: income taxes; and 17th Amendment: direct election of senators

III. Woodrow Wilson and New Freedom Election of 1912 Taft (Republican) Roosevelt (Bull Moose Party/Progressive party) Wilson (Democrat)

Wilson’s New Freedom Monopolies needed to broken apart Enhance government authority to protect consumers Underwood Tariff Reduced tariff 16th Amendment used to make up lost revenue Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1913) Limited companies from buying other companies to create a monopoly Federal Reserve Act (1913) 12 Federal Banks Issued new currency “federal reserve note”

IV. Progressivism in Retrospect Problems of Progressive Reform Contradictory goals Opposition to progressivism-courts strike down legislation Failed to redistribute power Accomplishments of Progressivism Trust-busting forced industrialist to notice public opinion Legislation gave government tools to protect consumers Income tax helped build government and redistribute wealth Challenged old ways of thinking