Ch. 22 Battle for National Reform The Presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson

Changing role of Federal Government Prior to the twentieth century most power belonged in the hands of Conservative Republican leaders in Congress. – Most change on a national level came slowly if at all. – Such leadership sought to maintain the status quo and protect powerful industrial interests. Progressive changes would depend on a strong figure as President to gain momentum – Theodore Roosevelt provided such a figure for change.

Accidental President Following the fame of Rough Riders and war in Cuba, Roosevelt ran for office when he returned. – Easily won Senatorial race in New York. – Was wildly popular with progressives, but party leaders despised him. In an attempt to re-elect McKinley, Republicans put Roosevelt on the ticket as V.P. in – Unfortunately for his political enemies, McKinley was assassinated a few months into his presidency and Roosevelt took office.

Trust Busting and the Square Deal At the heart of Roosevelt’s policies was a desire to use the government to regulate business, not destroy trusts. – Northern Securities Co.: became the first Republican President to use Sherman Anti-trust Act on powerful Railroad magnets. – First President to actually side with coal miners when they struck in Roosevelt gain the nickname “Trustbuster” filing over 40 anti-trust suits during his presidency.

Square Deal Once re-elected in 1904, Roosevelt sought to reform multiple aspects of society to create “a Square Deal” for every American. – Passed Hepburn Act through congress to regulate railroads and interstate commerce. – Pure Food and Drug act to ensure safe over the counter medicines. – Provided the first steps for an 8 hour work day. – Compensation for victims of industrial accidents.

Big Stick Diplomacy Roosevelt’s motto “speak softly and carry a big stick” – Tried to intimidate to achieve objectives with little action. The Great White Fleet – Roosevelt reallocated government funding to bolster the U.S. Navy – With a powerful fleet he could use it to influence foreign policy.

The Panama Canal It was increasingly difficult for ships in the Pacific to reach the Atlantic. – Battleships struggled to reach Cuba from the West Coast during the war – America wanted to ship commercial goods to the new territories in Guam, and Hawaii. The best place to put a canal to accomplish this was in Panama, but the Colombian gov’t. would not allow it. – Roosevelt openly encouraged a revolt in Panama so that they would freely be able to build the canal.

The Roosevelt Corollary: Roosevelt’s addition to the Monroe Doctrine. – According to Roosevelt, the U.S. could intervene in foreign affairs so long as they were within American interests. This also extended our influence further than the Western Hemisphere. – The Roosevelt Corollary was intentionally vague since it was difficult to determine where U.S. interests ended because of new colonies.

The Russo – Japanese War: Conflict between Russia and Japan over control in Korea and Manchuria. – Roosevelt became involved in the conflict because he feared the two might interfere with American issues in the Philippines. The Russo – Japanese War was eventually brought to an end with the Treaty of Portsmouth. – Roosevelt won the Noble Peace Prize for his efforts in this treaty.

Boxer Rebellion The Boxers were a group of Chinese rebels who resented foreign influence in the larger Chinese markets. – America intervened when the rebellion became violent. Sec. of State – John Hay – convinced European powers to release China and open the region for international trade. – This was known as the Open Door Policy. These actions opened the American Spheres of Influence to Pacific markets. – Spheres of Influence: anywhere a country trades or owns territory.

The Taft Presidency Upon leaving office Roosevelt threw his support behind close friend and advisor, William Taft. – With endorsement from the popular Roosevelt he easily won the election of While progressives considered Taft one of their own, his record actually suggested he was more moderate.

Problems of the Taft Administration Payne-Aldrich Tariff – Taft believed the high tariffs under TR had held back the development of American investments. – Against warnings from Roosevelt and progressives he called Congress into special session to pass the bill. Immediately split the Republican Party in two and alienated him from the Progressives.

The Downfall of Taft Ballinger-Pinchot Dispute – In 1909 Taft replaced Roosevelt’s friend and Secretary of Interior, James Garfield, with Richard Ballinger. – When Ballinger removed 1 million acres of forest land for private speculation the decision was questioned. – Gifford Pinchot, friend of Roosevelt and head of the Forest Service, publicly charged Ballinger with wrongdoing. Even after investigation the charges were found groundless – When Pinchot took his claims to the press and continued, Taft fired him. – Progressives believed Taft sold Roosevelt and the Square Deal “down the river”

Taft’s Successes While Progressives and Roosevelt thought of the Taft Presidency as a failure, actually much success. – Taft filed nearly twice as many anti-trust suits in 4 years as Roosevelt had in 7 years as president. – Created the Federal Children’s Bureau in 1912 that regulated child safety and labor laws. By the Election of 1912 Roosevelt returned from an African hunting trip to “throw his hat in the ring” and run for re-election.

Roosevelt vs. Taft In the election of 1912 the Republican Party was bitterly divided. – At the Convention in Chicago, Party leaders were refusing to allow many delegates expected to support Roosevelt. Roosevelt responded by leaving with his delegates and vowing to run independent. – Conservative Party leaders quietly selected Taft as their candidate. Roosevelt then summoned his own delegates back to Chicago, formed the Progressive Party and declared himself their candidate. – When asked if he felt up to task, he claimed he was “fit as a bull moose!”

Woodrow Wilson Democrats then selected their own progressive candidate in Woodrow Wilson. – Wilson was Political Science professor at Princeton University until 1902, then became University President. – Elected Governor of New Jersey in – Reluctantly ran for President in Democrats selected him since he was their only real progressive candidate. – Biggest difference between he and TR, he wanted to destroy big business, not reform it.

Election Results Taft – resigned to defeat, barely campaigned at all. – 23% popular vote, carried only two states in Electoral College. Roosevelt – energetically campaigned, but forced to sidelines after being shot. – 27% popular vote, carried six states in electoral college. Eugene Debs – socialist party candidate, supported by union workers. – 6% popular vote, carried no states. Woodrow Wilson – basically held most of the Democrats. – 42% popular vote, 435 of the 531 electoral college votes.