Progressivism Under Taft
Objectives Summarize the event of the Taft presidency Explain the division in the Republican party Describe the election of 1912
Taft Becomes President Prelude Taft Stumbles Teddy’s Pledge Taft Secretary of War What is this office called today? “Vote of Taft this time, you can vote for Bryan any time” William Jennings Bryan Easy Republican Victory Cautious Progressive Consolidate rather than explain Legal victories 90 trust busted Uneasy President “bully pulpit” Party troubles
Taft Becomes President The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Disputing Public Lands Payne Bill - (House) Lowered the rate on imported goods Aldrich Bill - (Senate) Fewer cuts Increased many rates The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Compromise Did not please either side of the isle Richard A. Ballinger Secretary of the Interior Removed 1 million acres of forest and mining lands from reserved list Pinchot accused of putting commercial interests in front of the public Taft fires Pinchot for testimony
The Republican Party Splits Problems within the Party The Bull Moose Party Two sided party Progressive vs Conservative “Uncle Joe” Cannon House Speaker Chair of the House Rules Committee Removed Republican lose control over the house 1st time in 18 years New Nationalism The welfare of the people Advocated for Direct elections of Senators Women’s suffrage Worker’s compensation 8 hour work day Min wage for women Federal law against child labor Federal Trade Commission
The Republican Party Splits The Bull Moose Party (cont.) William Taft Republican Teddy Roosevelt Bull Moose Woodrow Wilson Democrat The split gave Democrats the first real chance in 20 years Enters reformer Woodrow Wilson
The Republican Party Splits New Freedom – Wilson Mudslinging Progressive Platform Antitrust legislation Bank Reform Reduced Tariffs Stash on stash violence Taft and Roosevelt attack each other, Wilson stays quite