Progressive Presidents

Aim: Which Progressive Era President was the most progressive? Key Terms: Progressive Party Platform Pure Food and Drug Act Meat Inspection Act Bull Moose Party Payne-Aldrich Tariff Ballinger-Pinchot dispute Woodrow Wilson 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Amendments The New Freedom William Taft Teddy Roosevelt – Square Deal/The New Nationalism Essential Questions: Which President’s plan was most in line with Progressive principles? Which of the plans would be most effective in solving the problems that the Progressives brought attention to? Which plan would have long term effects on the nation?

Theodore Roosevelt Believed in fair business policies (greatly opposed to corruption). Equalize opportunity for all men so each had equal chances for success. Square Deal was his domestic agenda which included three main points: conservation of natural resources control of corporations consumer protection Wanted to help middle class citizens by attacking bad trusts and plutocracy, or “rule by the wealthy.” Protected businesses from extreme trade union demands. Believed that some trusts were good and should be preserved. "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

William H. Taft Lacked Roosevelt’s strength of personality and was more passive in his dealings with Congress. Payne-Aldrich Tariff 1909: Went against Taft’s campaign promises of lowering tariffs. Effectively raised tariffs on almost all products. Conservation issues: Taft was a dedicated conservationist, however, most of his progress was undone by his handling of the Ballinger-Pinchot dispute. Pinchot, the leader of the Department of Forestry, attacked Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger for how he handled public lands. Ballinger opened up thousands of acres of public lands in Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska for private use, and this angered many Progressives.

Woodrow Wilson Believed in less governmental interference than Roosevelt. *However during his presidency he added even more governmental regulation (Federal Reserve System and Clayton Antitrust Act). New Freedom (plan when in office) had 3 main points: Tariff Reform – Underwood Tariff Act (1913) Business Reform - Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) Banking Reform – (Federal Reserve Act (1913) Also did NOT support unfair business policies. Depended on Federal Trade Commission to regulate businesses and ensure fair policies. Ratified 19th amendment while in office (gave women the right to vote).

Woodrow Wilson and his attack on the “Triple Wall of Privilege” Tariff reduction – “lower tariffs will bring consumer prices down.” Underwood Tariff of 1913 – lowers tariffs for the 1st time in 50 years. Banking Reform – Federal Reserve Act, 1913. Trusts – a group of individuals who contribute capital to create a joint business. Legislation against trusts: Clayton Antitrust Act –strengthened the provisions in Sherman Anti-Trust Act Federal Trade Commission – investigate and take action against “unfair trade practice.”

Causes of the Economic Revolution Plentiful raw materials (ex. lumber, iron, oil, copper, silver) Available capital – investors from abroad and domestically provided money for industry. Available labor – farm laborers were not needed in such large numbers due to technological advances, so many went to industrial factory jobs; old (German, British, Scandinavian countries = western settlers; Irish = eastern settlers) and new immigrants Italians, Poles, Russians, Austrians and Jews). Ingenuity – mass production techniques were developed; inventions. Encouragement from the Government – laissez faire theory says that the government should not interfere in industry. This allowed businessmen to pay low wages, charge high prices, employ corrupt practices, and enter into monopolistic agreements without interference by state or national government. Federal laws were passed to aid industry, with protective tariffs, land grants, loans to RR, and acts requiring shipbuilders and RRs to use American-made materials.