Progressivism Under Taft How does Taft anger progressives?
Taft Becomes President 1908: T. Roosevelt does not run for a 3rd term TR picks his Sec. of War, William H. Taft, to run for Republicans, Taft beats Democrat William Jennings Bryan When Taft takes office, he takes a cautious approach and consolidates many of TR’s programs instead of expanding them Despite busting over 90 trusts, Taft gained little credit
Taft Stumbles Taft promised to lower tariffs during election but as President signed Payne-Aldrich tariff, which slightly increased rates Taft appoints Richard Ballinger as Sec. of Interior, removes 1 million acres of land from the reserved/conservation list Progressives labeled Taft as a traitor Taft had difficulties convincing American public that his policies were right Taft started facing problems within his own party
Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy US banks loan Latin Am. nations money to pay off prior debts, US banks gain the country’s tariff money & other assets Nicaraguan, govt can’t pay US loans back, President Adolfo Diaz gives US banks control of Nicaragua’s RR & nat’l bank Nicaraguan people protest, try to overthrow Diaz Taft sends in 2000 marines to keep Diaz in power Overall, Republicans and most Americans upset at Taft