Essential Questions Which groups of Americans made economic and political gains during the Progressive Era? Which groups of Americans made economic and political gains during the Progressive Era? What tactics were most effective in bringing about the social, economic, and political reforms of the Progressive Era? What tactics were most effective in bringing about the social, economic, and political reforms of the Progressive Era? What impact did TR’s Presidency have on the Progressive Era? What impact did TR’s Presidency have on the Progressive Era?

Taft Elected -Roosevelt serves two terms Roosevelt hand picks Taft -William Howard Taft designated to replace him -Taft never wanted or liked being President “I don’t like politics…I don’t like the limelight.” William Howard Taft -reluctant to use Presidency as bully pulpit -very cautious agenda

Activities -Roosevelt earned name as trustbuster -Taft breaks up twice as many trusts in half the time 90 in 4 years, really should have earned the “trustbuster” name -tried to lowers tariffs Payne-Aldrich Tariff actually had few cuts and angered Progressives -angered the conservation movement by opening up gov’t lands -Fires Pinchot “Washington was a dead town. Its leader was gone, and in his place was a man whose fundamental desire was to keep out of trouble.” Gifford Pinchot

Taft’s Struggles -progressive and conservative parts of Republican party begin to fight -Speaker Joe Cannon old style conservative goals clashed with progressives (he was a party boss and ignored reform bills) -Republicans argue over party goals and leaders split -Republicans lose control of H.O.R. -TR decides to try for third term -Taft and Roosevelt vie for 1912 party nomination

Taft’s Struggles

Bull Moose Party -Roosevelt decides to run for 3 rd term Taft supporters corruptly get Taft the nomination, by refusing to admit TR and his delegates -Roosevelt forms his own Progressive Party Bull Moose Party “I’m stronger than a bull moose” -New Nationalism federal powers should be expanded to protect the public and supported many Progressive reforms Disliked big business that hurt public interest

New Freedom -Democrats nominated reform governor Woodrow Wilson from New Jersey -New Freedom: progressive platform that Wilson ran on -Fight Four Privileges -wealth: close the gap -banks: need reform -tariff: needs to be lowered -trusts: stronger anti-trust legislation favored small business interests over monopolies which were evil

Eugene Debs - Socialist Party candidate -Favors the working man -supports the organization of Unions by industry -supports the right for women to vote -reform of the workplace and child labor -was against big business

Election of voters had choice between conservatism (TAFT), New Nationalism (ROOSEVELT), New Freedom (WILSON), or Socialism (DEBS) -All but Taft, are reformers!

Socialist Debs got nearly 1 million votes -Roosevelt and Taft split the Republican voting -Wilson wins the election with only 42% of popular vote 75% of total vote was for reformers (Roosevelt, Debs, or Wilson) = America is calling for REFORM Results of the Election of 1912

Election of 1912 Information Booklet Use 5 squares of paper to make a booklet. Cover—title, name, date, block, picture Inside—all 4 candidates (Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Debs) must be covered. You will use the outline provided for you. You must also have an illustration for each person. Include the following for each candidate: –Name, Political Party, Platform (describe it), position on big business and reform, two facts

Election of 1912 Information Booklet Use 5 squares of paper to make a booklet. Cover—title, name, date, block, picture Inside—all 4 candidates (Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Debs) must be covered. You will use the outline provided for you. You must also have an illustration for each person. Include the following for each candidate: –Name, Political Party, Platform (describe it), position on big business and reform, two facts