1. WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT 27th President of the US 1909-1913 Buschistory Presents – The Presidents www.buschistory.net

2. The Election 1.President: William Howard Taft Number 27 VP - James Sherman 2. Political Party - Republican 3. Term of Office 1909-1913 4. Who came before and after him, and what were their Political parties? Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) preceded him and Woodrow Wilson (Democrat ) followed him 5. Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding his ascent to the presidency? If so, describe the situation in specific detail. TR personally anointed Taft as his chosen successor. William Jennings Bryan ran against him claiming that TR and Taft had taken Democratic ideals as their own Electoral College – Taft 321, Bryan 162

3. The Office 6. Are there any catch phrases or terms specifically associated with this president? If so, list and explain them. Dollar Diplomacy 7. When he left office, was it by: choice, defeat, natural death, assassination, or resignation. Explain your answer. Defeat. The 1912 election saw a divided Republican party with Theodore Roosevelt running as an independent when the Republicans failed to nominate him. The divided Republican voters allowed Woodrow Wilson to obtain a majority of the Electors.

4. Domestic Issues and Events Continued Anti-Trust activities – dismantled American Tobacco Co. and Standard Oil 1909 – Payne Aldrich Tariff – Lowered the tariff form 46 to 41 percent but placed higher tariffs on coal, iron ore, and some animal products. Very unpopular 1910 – Mann Elkins Act – Fed. Will fix railroad rates, regulated telephone and telegraph companies; Mann Act –Forbade transporting women across state lines for prostitution 1913 - Webb-Kenyon Interstate Liquor Shipments Act, 16 th Amendment (Income Tax) States Admitted – New Mexico, Arizona – both in 1912

5. Foreign Policy and Events Dollar Diplomacy – 1909-1913: American Investment into nations around the world in return for favorable trade conditions.