2. Section 3: Progressive Presidents
Presidents during the Progressive Era worked to control big business & to deal with labor problems

3. Theodore Roosevelt was William McKinley’s Vice President
Became President when McKinley was assassinated in 1901.
Known as a trustbuster (25 indictments against trusts)
1904 ran for President promising people a “Square Deal”
Known as first environmental president

4. William Howard Taft
Taft easily won 1908 election (hand picked by Roosevelt).
His administration won more antitrust cases than Roosevelt
Supported the Sixteenth Amendment
Disappointed Progressives in areas of tariffs and conservation.

5. Roosevelt Challenges Taft
By 1912 Roosevelt completely disappointed in Taft.
Roosevelt wanted to challenge Taft for Republican Nomination for 1912 election.
When he didn’t receive nomination he & his followers formed a new party, the Progressive Party also known as the Bull Moose Party

6. Woodrow Wilson
The split in Republican party hurt both Taft & Roosevelt.
Democrat Wilson won the 1912 election
Wilson criticized big government & big business and called his program New Freedom.
Achieved progressive goal of tariff reform in 1913
Congress also passed Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission and Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914