The Progressive Presidents

Preview: 1. What are the three most interesting details you see? 2. What do the lions represent? 3. This cartoon is titled “The Lion Tamer.” The lion tamer is President Theodore Roosevelt. Based on the cartoon, what might his personality be like? 4. Does the cartoonist seem to believe that President Roosevelt will be able to control the trusts?

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909 Personality: Teddy; impulsive and physically active Background: served in NY state assembly; from a VERY wealthy family Square Deal: Promise of fair and equal treatment of all; balance the needs of competing groups – corporations and unions

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909 Used the Sherman Anti-trust Act to regulate and break up monopolies Protected consumers by passing the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food Act Helped coal miners by pressuring strikers and owners to use arbitration to end the 1902 strike Backed the creation of the U.S. Forest Service and set aside nearly 150 million acres of national forests “Bullied” through the Panama Canal Treaty

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909 Supported women’s suffrage when he ran for president in 1912. “Bull Moose Party” – Progressive Party split the Republican vote in 1912

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Personality: quiet and cautious Background: former judge and member of Roosevelt’s cabinet Reforms: continued many of Roosevelt’s reforms

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Brought more than 90 lawsuits against trusts; prosecuted trusts that limited trade Established Children’s Bureau – Department of Labor Implemented an 8-hour workday for government employees Added 2.7 million acres to National Wildlife Refuge System

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Called for reform of banking system; Americans were divided on a solution 16th Amendment – federal income tax 17th Amendment – direct election of senators “Dollar Diplomacy” – joining business interests of a country with diplomatic (ambassadors, state department) issues abroad

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921 Personality: idealist and scholar Background: Governor of New Jersey “New Freedom” – gave more economic freedom to small businesses and average citizens Edith Wilson – “Secret President” ran the government after president had a stroke

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921 Clayton Antitrust Act: made it harder for trusts to form and exempted unions from antitrust laws Signed Keating-Owen Child Labor Act and secured an 8-hour workday for railroad workers Supported creation of the National Park Service to manage and preserve land for public use

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921 Federal Reserve System created to stabilize the banking system Underwood Tariff Act – lowered tariffs 18th Amendment – prohibition of alcohol 19th Amendment – suffrage for women