Progressive Presidents Objective 7.02

Theodore Roosevelt Internationally—he was a Social Darwinist Domestically—believed that government should actively balance the needs of competing groups in American society

“Square Deal” Reform program during 2 nd term Wanted to supervise business and protect public interest Provide a “square” (fair) deal for everyone

Anthracite Coal Strike United Mine Workers (UMW) call for strike in 1902 Coal prices increased Roosevelt felt it was another example of groups pursuing their private interests at the expense of the nation

Strike threatened to shut down factories and leave many people w/o heat for winter Roosevelt called for arbitration Unions agreed Mine owners refused Roosevelt threatened military action and then the owners agreed

Bureau of Corporations 1903 Gave government authority to investigate large businesses Allowed government to look at business practices and solve problems w/o breaking up trusts—thus sparing the economy

Trusts Believed trusts contributed to economic success but they were also worrisome J.P. Morgan created a large new RR trust called Northern Securities

Roosevelt said company was in violation of Sherman Anti-Trust Act Ordered Attorney General to file a lawsuit

Northern Securities v. U.S. (1904)—Supreme Court agreed that Northern Securities was in violation Victory for Roosevelt, hailed as a “trustbuster” His popularity soared

Social Welfare By 1905 consumer protection was a big issue Due to Sinclair’s The Jungle  Meat Inspection Act (1906)  Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Conservation Actively bought and protected undeveloped land Protected from lumber companies

Increase of Gov’t Power ICC could set RR rates (Hepburn Act) Agriculture Department could inspect food Bureau of Corporations could monitor businesses Attorney General could bring Anti- trust lawsuit

William Taft Easily won Election of 1908 over William Jennings Bryan Roosevelt supported; Taft had been his Sec. of War

Taft was complete opposite of Roosevelt  Roosevelt had been energetic, loved the spotlight, and was quick and decisive on issues  Taft was a skilled administrator, avoided conflict, and was slow at making decisions

Taft’s Reforms Twice as many anti-trust lawsuits  American Tobacco Co. v. U.S. (1911)—broke up the company into R.J. Reynolds, Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Co., and Lorillard

Created Children’s Bureau— investigated Child Labor Created Bureau of Mines— monitor activity of mines Expanded National Forest Mann-Elkins Act—increased the power of the ICC

Payne-Aldrich Tariff Taft wanted to lower tariffs Roosevelt warned against this Congress passed tariff which barely cut tariffs and actually raised them on some goods Taft reluctantly accepted—lost him a lot of support

Election of 1912 Democratic Party—Woodrow Wilson Republican Party—William Taft Progressive Party (Bull Moose)— Theodore Roosevelt Wilson and Roosevelt heavily supported reform

Roosevelt’s New Nationalism Campaign  Accepted economic power of trusts  Increase power to regulate  Protect women and children in labor  Supported workers compensation  Favored creation of Federal Trade Commission to regulate industry

Wilson’s New Freedom Campaign  Wanted to destroy monopolies— not regulate them  Thought federal government was too strong  Felt freedom was more important than efficiency

Outcome  Republicans split the vote between Taft and Roosevelt  Allowed Wilson to win

Wilson’s Reforms Underwood Tariff  Reduced average tariff  Held provision for collecting direct income tax

Federal Reserve Act  Created Federal Reserve System  Banks must keep portion of deposits in reserve Keating-Owen Child Labor Act  Prohibited children under 14 to work in factories that produced goods for interstate commerce

Adamson Act  Forced 8 hour workday for RR workers Federal Trade Commission  Monitor American businesses  Can order to stop unfair business practices  Did not fully satisfy progressives

Clayton Anti-Trust Act  Recognized unions  Banned tying agreements—when a retailer is required to stop selling a competitor’s products  Manufacturers could no longer give discounts to chain stores who bought in bulk

16 th Amendment Established 1913, Federal graduated income tax.