1. Chapter 9-The Progressive Era
Section 4-Progressivism Under Taft
and
Section 5-Wilson’s New Freedom

2. Section 4-Progressivism Under Taft

3. Taft Becomes President
Taft Stumbles-
During the 1908 Presidential Election, Republican William Howard Taft wins with Roosevelt’s support
He approaches the Presidency with a cautiously progressive agenda; gets little credit for his successes
Does not use presidential bully pulpit to arouse public opinion like Roosevelt
Chapter 9 Section 4

4. Taft Becomes President
The Payne-Aldrich Tariff
In 1909, Taft signs Payne-Aldrich Tariff into law. This was a bill raising certain tariffs on goods entering the United States.
The high rates angered Republican reformers, and led to a deep split in the Republican Party.
Disputing Public Lands
Conservationists become angry that Richard A. Ballinger is named interior secretary under Taft
Ballinger puts reserved lands in public domain negating some of the work Teddy Roosevelt did while in office
A fired member of the interior writes magazine exposé exposing Ballinger’s shady activities
Gifford Pinchot head of U.S. Forest Service Department testifies against Ballinger and is ultimately fired by Taft
Chapter 9 Section 4

5. The Republican Party Splits
Problems within the Party
Republicans become split over Taft’s decision to support Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon
Cannon attempted to weaken the progressive agenda causing a handful of progressives to ally themselves with Democrats
During the 1910 midterm elections, the Democrats win control of the House
Chapter 9 Section 4

6. The Republican Party Splits
The Bull Moose Party-
During his time away from the Presidency Theodore Roosevelt became disappointed with what he perceived was Taft’s many weaknesses
During the 1912 Republican National Convention, Taft the incumbent beat Roosevelt’s for nomination
Angry progressives form Bull Moose Party; and nominate Theodore Roosevelt as their candidate
The Bull Moose Party's political platform centered around:
Increased voter participation
Guaranteeing woman suffrage
Creating new labor legislation and new regulations on business
The Democrats nominate Woodrow Wilson the governor of New Jersey
Chapter 9 Section 4

7. Democrats Win in 1912 The Election of 1912-
Wilson endorses progressive platform called the New Freedom
He wants stronger antitrust laws, banking reform, lower tariffs
He also refers to all monopolies as evil
Roosevelt wants oversight of big business; not all monopolies bad
Socialist Party candidate Eugene V. Debs wants to end capitalism
Woodrow Wilson wins the 1912 Presidential Election
The Democrats also win a majority of seats in the house
Chapter 9 Section 4

8. Section 5-Wilson’s New Freedom

9. Wilson Wins Financial Reforms
Wilson’s Background-
Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856-February 3, 1924) was an American statesman, academic, former president of Princeton University and governor of New Jersey who served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921.
During his presidency he focuses on breaking trusts, tariffs, reforming financial issues
Chapter 9 Section 5

10. Wilson Wins Financial Reforms
Two Key Antitrust Measures
Clayton Antitrust Act passed in 1914 was designed to stops companies from buying stock in an attempt to form a monopoly
This act also ends injunctions against strikers
The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914-This Act outlawed unfair methods of competition that affects commerce and the fair trade of stocks
It acted as the new “watchdog” agency for the federal government
They also investigates regulatory violations
Worked to end unfair business practices
Chapter 9 Section 5

11. Wilson Wins Financial Reforms
A New Tax System
Wilson pushes for the Underwood Act to substantially reduce tariffs
Wilson also gives his State of the Union address in person
His use of bully pulpit leads to passage of several new financial reform acts
Federal Income Tax
Sixteenth Amendment legalizes graduated the federal government the ability to impose an income tax on it’s citizens
Federal Reserve System-
Created in 1913, to act as the central bank of the United States.
It was created by the Congress under President Wilson to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system.
Under this system the nation is divided into twelve districts each with its own central bank
Chapter 9 Section 5

13. Women Win Suffrage Local Suffrage Battles-
College-educated women work to spread the message of suffrage to working-class women across the country
They go door-to-door, take trolley tours and even give speeches at rest stops
Some adopt bold the tactics of British suffragists
Catt and the National Movement-
Carrie Chapman Catt the head of NAWSA, stressed the use of lobbying and political organization as a way to gain suffrage
National Woman’s Party aggressively pressures for suffrage amendment
Work of patriotic women in war effort influences politicians
Finally in 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment is passed granting women the right to vote
Chapter 9 Section 5

14. The Limits of Progressivism
Wilson and Civil Rights-
As candidate Wilson wins support of NAACP for his favorable position on civil rights
Although he didn’t follow through on many of his promises
As president, he opposes ant-lynching legislation
He also appoints fellow white Southerners to cabinet who worked to extend segregation
NAACP feels betrayed; Wilson self-defense tactics widens rift between him and those of color
The Twilight of Progressivism-
Outbreak of World War I distracts Americans; while the stroke he suffers stall many of his reform efforts
Chapter 9 Section 5