Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson The Presidential effect on Progressivism

How Taft Became President William Howard Taft was TR’s most trusted Lieutenant, hand-picked successor William Howard Taft was TR’s most trusted Lieutenant, hand-picked successor Interesting fact: Taft was 350lbs Interesting fact: Taft was 350lbs Progressive reformer Progressive reformer More regard for the law, would not abuse the powers of the presidency like TR. More regard for the law, would not abuse the powers of the presidency like TR. Taft easily won the election in 1908 over Democrat William Jennings Bryan Taft easily won the election in 1908 over Democrat William Jennings Bryan

President Taft 4 yrs. later Taft would leave the most decisively beat president of the 20th century. 4 yrs. later Taft would leave the most decisively beat president of the 20th century. Problem: He could not satisfy both republican conservatives and progressives Problem: He could not satisfy both republican conservatives and progressives

Taft and the Progressives Strike 1: Did not lower the Tariff Strike 2: Appointed pro-big business, borderline corrupt Secretary of Interior, Richard Ballinger Strike 2: Appointed pro-big business, borderline corrupt Secretary of Interior, Richard Ballinger - Pinchot vs. Ballinger Controversy Summarize the event Summarize the event Who would these events upset? Who would these events upset? How would these events upset them? TR? How would these events upset them? TR?

Roosevelt vs. Taft Roosevelt had traveled to Africa and Europe after his departure from Whitehouse Roosevelt had traveled to Africa and Europe after his departure from Whitehouse Angered by Taft’s actions Angered by Taft’s actions Felt only he could Re-unite Conservatives and Progressives Felt only he could Re-unite Conservatives and Progressives

Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” Gave Speech on September 10, 1910 called “New Nationalism” Speech included Progressive reforms Basically, a slap in Taft’s face

1910 Congressional Election Conservative Republicans suffered huge defeat in the Congressional Elections. What does this mean? Conservative Republicans suffered huge defeat in the Congressional Elections. What does this mean? People are unhappy with Government People are unhappy with Government People dislike Taft People dislike Taft

Roosevelt vs. Taft Strike 3: U.S. Steel suit in Oct. 27, 1911 TR organized a monopoly with US steel to help during an economic recession in TR organized a monopoly with US steel to help during an economic recession in TAFT charged them with a lawsuit and said the monopoly was illegal. TAFT charged them with a lawsuit and said the monopoly was illegal. Slap in TR’s face. Slap in TR’s face.

LaFollette Roosevelt liked La Follette who was campaining for Republican nomination Roosevelt liked La Follette who was campaining for Republican nomination La Follette suffered nervous breakdown in Feb 1912, Roosevelt announced his candidacy Feb 22. La Follette suffered nervous breakdown in Feb 1912, Roosevelt announced his candidacy Feb 22.

Roosevelt vs. Taft TR declares a run for presidency TR declares a run for presidency Battle now for the Republican Nomination: Battle now for the Republican Nomination: Roosevelt = Progressive Republicans Roosevelt = Progressive Republicans Taft = Conservative Republicans Taft = Conservative Republicans TR won victories in all 13 presidential primaries, but lost the nomination to Taft TR won victories in all 13 presidential primaries, but lost the nomination to Taft TR formed Progressive Party TR formed Progressive Party Said it was “Fit as a bull moose”, hence BULL MOOSE party Said it was “Fit as a bull moose”, hence BULL MOOSE party

Woodrow Wilson as Presidential Nominee Democratic Presidential Candidate Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor of NJ and professor of Political Science at Princeton Governor of NJ and professor of Political Science at Princeton Committed to Reform – Platform called “New Freedom” Committed to Reform – Platform called “New Freedom” Why is this a problem for the REPUBLICANS!?! Why is this a problem for the REPUBLICANS!?!

Election of 1912 Taft resigned to defeat, hardly campaigned Taft resigned to defeat, hardly campaigned TR campaigned tons, until would-be assassin shot him, and sidelined him last few weeks before election TR campaigned tons, until would-be assassin shot him, and sidelined him last few weeks before election In Nov, TR and Taft split republican vote, Wilson held onto most Democrats and won easily. In Nov, TR and Taft split republican vote, Wilson held onto most Democrats and won easily.

ElectoralPopular Vote Vote (%) Woodrow Wilson 4356,293,454 (Democratic) (41.9) Theodore Roosevelt 88 4,119,538 (Progressive/Bull Moose) (27.4) William H. Taft 8 3,484,980 (Republican) (23.2) Eugene V. Debs — 900,672 (Socialist) (6.0) Other Parties — 235,025 (Prohibition; Socialist Labor)

Election of 1912

Woodrow Wilson as a Progressive Concentrated powers of Exec branch in his own hands, more than TR or Taft Concentrated powers of Exec branch in his own hands, more than TR or Taft Firm control over his cabinet Firm control over his cabinet Delegated real authority only to those loyal to him Delegated real authority only to those loyal to him Progressive Acts Progressive Acts Income Tax – graduated income tax, 1% tax on individuals or corporations earning over $4,000 a year, up to 6% for those over $500,000 Income Tax – graduated income tax, 1% tax on individuals or corporations earning over $4,000 a year, up to 6% for those over $500,000 Federal Reserve Act – reform American banking system, passed December 1913 Federal Reserve Act – reform American banking system, passed December 1913 Federal Trade Commission Act – created a regulatory agency that would help business determine in advance whether their actions would be acceptable to the gov. Federal Trade Commission Act – created a regulatory agency that would help business determine in advance whether their actions would be acceptable to the gov. Clayton Antitrust Act – anti-monopoly act which Wilson eventually lost interest in after awhile Clayton Antitrust Act – anti-monopoly act which Wilson eventually lost interest in after awhile

Woodrow Wilson as a Progressive By 1914, Wilson believed New Freedom was complete By 1914, Wilson believed New Freedom was complete Refused to support movement for national woman suffrage Refused to support movement for national woman suffrage Dismissed any new progressive reform legislation Dismissed any new progressive reform legislation Congressional elections of 1914 smashed democrats, and Presidents lackluster attempt at reforms Congressional elections of 1914 smashed democrats, and Presidents lackluster attempt at reforms By 1915 – Wilson began to support a 2nd flurry of reforms By 1915 – Wilson began to support a 2nd flurry of reforms Keating-Owen Act – prohibited shipment across state lines of goods produced by underage children (court invalidated this act in 1918) Keating-Owen Act – prohibited shipment across state lines of goods produced by underage children (court invalidated this act in 1918) Smith-Lever Act – demonstrated how fed gov. could influence local behavior, fed grants to states that agreed to support agricultural extension education. Smith-Lever Act – demonstrated how fed gov. could influence local behavior, fed grants to states that agreed to support agricultural extension education.