Progressive Era Presidents and their political agendas

Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal 1901-1909 Background Info View on the Presidency Served as Calvary Commander of the Rough Riders and the Governor of New York. Became President of the US in 1901 after William McKinley was assassinated Believed that the Pres. Should be a man of action with the citizens best interest. Ex: During a coal miner strike, Roosevelt intervened calling both sides to the White House. When a compromise was not reached, he threatened to use troops the settle dispute “It is the duty of the president to act upon the theory that he is the steward of the people, and…to assume that he has the legal right to do whatever the needs of the people demand, unless the Constitution of the laws explicitly forbid him to do it.”

Roosevelt as Trust-Buster Roosevelt was against big business and monopolies He opposed unfair, anti-competitive practices and business consolidation known as trusts He broke up Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company He also filed 44 law suites against other companies (monopolies) winning numerous cases and breaking other companies such as the Northwestern Railroad Co.

The Square Deal Teddy Roosevelt launched new laws to protect consumer health and prevent false advertising, known as the Square Deal Protecting public health- Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. Regulating Transportation and Communication- Roosevelt increased regulated the railroads Conserving the Nation’s Resources- Drew attention to conserving the forests, wildlife and natural resources. He set up national forests and parks and formed the National Conservation Commission to protect the nations natural resources.

Wilson’s New Freedom Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the presidential election of 1912. Wilson had a different personality from Roosevelt, he was more cool, reserved and logical. Wilson’s plan The New Freedom promised Americans reforms that would also tame big business. He focused more his attention on banking and the economy and high tariffs.

New Freedom Legislation Underwood Tariff 1913- created a law to lower tariffs by 25% Graduated Income Tax 1913- Created the 16th Amendment which created the 1st income tax based on your yearly income, wealthier Americans would pay higher taxes than the less wealthy. Federal Reserve Act 1913- Reformed the banking industry by creating a separate bank to serve as the bankers bank. The Fed Res controlles the amount of money in cirrculation and established interest rates. Clayton Anti-Trust Act- Provided support to labor unions by creating laws to support labor rights.

National Parks and Labor Like Roosevelt, Wilson also believed in protecting the environment. He created the National Park Service which brought 40 exisiting parks and monument under federal control The purpose of these parks was to conserve nature and wildlife for the enjoyment of the American people. After the incident of the Triangle Shirtwaste Factory, society pushed for reform to prevent such cases. The Department of Labor-was created as a new cabinet of the president. The purpose of the dept was to promote and develop the welfare of the working people. Child Labor Act- law created to prohibit the sale of goods created by children, this law was overturned 2 years later

Word bank Bull Moose Republican Democrat Anti trust reform Focused on banking reform Created laws to protect consumers Progressives Helped conserve the environment Favored unions Filed laws suits against major monopolies Reserved and logical Strong personality Tried to reform child labor laws Known as a trust buster Created reforms to improve America Square Deal New Freedom Pure Food and Drug Act