Prompt #10 What does it mean to be a “progressive”?
Progressive Presidents Chart, pg. 396
1912 Election
Teddy Roosevelt Strong personality Range of interests: hunting, explorer, soldier, author, naturalist McKinley assassinated 1901: Youngest President (42)
TR’s Record Presidential term: 1901-1909 Accomplishments: National Reclamation Act (1902)—irrigation United States Forest Service (1905)—land and water use Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act (1906)—public health
Taft’s Presidency Presidential term: 1909-1913 Won easily, but bad start Conflict over tariffs ran on platform to lower tariffs Progressives mad at Taft
Taft’s Record Progressive record Reserved more public lands Brought more antitrust suits in than TR Supported Children’s Bureau 16th & 17th Amendments Supported Mann-Elkins Act (1910)—ICC regulations
Four Way Election
Four Way Election Four-Way Election Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Eugene Debs Republican vote split; Wilson takes most electoral votes
The Bull Moose Party Roosevelt decides to run Didn’t win Republican ticket Creates new party--“I feel fit as a bull moose”
The Bull Moose Party Progressive Platform Tariff reduction Women’s suffrage More regulation of business Child labor ban Eight-hour workday Federal workers’ compensation system Direct election of senators
Wilson’s Presidency
Wilson’s “New Freedom” Criticized big business and gov’t Enforce antitrust laws, but keep competition
Wilson’s Policies Lower tariffs and taxes Attacking the Trusts Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)—limited businesses Set up Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—Monitored unfair practices The Federal Reserve System (1913)
1912 Election
Promote a Prez! - Design a campaign poster for one of the three candidates running during the 1912 election: Roosevelt, Taft, or Wilson - Include: Party platform (what they wanted/did to accomplish during presidency), catchy slogan, pictures/color
Limits of Progressivism Focused on city level issues Did little for farmers and nonunionized workers Favored immigration limits Social Justice Wilson—allowed Jim Crow Laws in gov’t TR refused to seat black delegates GOOD: 1909 NAACP formed