Progressivism Under Taft How does Taft anger progressives?

Taft Becomes President 1908: T. Roosevelt does not run for a 3 rd term TR picks his Sec. of War, William H. Taft, to run for Republicans, Taft beats Democrat William Jennings Bryan When Taft takes office, he takes a cautious approach and consolidates many of TR’s programs instead of expanding them Despite busting over 90 trusts, Taft gained little credit

Taft Stumbles Taft promised to lower tariffs during election but as President signed Payne-Aldrich tariff, which slightly increased rates Progressives labeled Taft as a traitor Taft had difficulties convincing American public that is policies were right Taft started facing problems within his own party Taft appoints Richard Ballinger as Sec. of Interior, removes 1 million acres of land from the reserved/conservation list

Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy US banks loan Latin Am. nations money to pay off prior debts Banks gain the country’s tariff money & other assets Nicaraguan, govt can’t pay US loans back, President Adolfo Diaz gives US banks control of Nicaragua’s RR & nat’l bank Nicaraguan people protest try to overthrow Diaz Taft sends in 2000 marines to keep Diaz in power

Taft Splits Republicans Voters upset at Taft’s “non-progressive” policies 1910: Democrats win House of Representatives 1912: Roosevelt wants to run for President again to restart progressive movement – problem Taft is sitting Rep. President Roosevelt supporters start the Bull Moose Party Republican vote split – Democrat Woodrow Wilson wins