1. The Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Taft & Wilson

2. I.The 3 Progressive Presidents (1901-1921) Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson All committed to reforming American society & government All committed to reforming American society & government Challenged government corruption & corporate greed Challenged government corruption & corporate greed

3. II.Teddy Roosevelt (TR) 1901-1909 Came to power after McKinley’s assassination in 1901 (was his VP) Came to power after McKinley’s assassination in 1901 (was his VP) The youngest president at 42 The youngest president at 42 He was a character – short, stout, big teeth, shrewd, charismatic, energetic and ‘got things done’ He was a character – short, stout, big teeth, shrewd, charismatic, energetic and ‘got things done’ Loved by the people Loved by the people

4. TR as western rancher in his custom NY “costume” TR as the captain of the Rough Riders during the Sp/Am War

6. “Teddy’s Bear”

7. He was known as a ‘Trust Buster’ because he broke up large trusts and monopolies He was known as a ‘Trust Buster’ because he broke up large trusts and monopolies His goal was to break up and regulate big businesses His goal was to break up and regulate big businesses Ex. Sherman Antitrust Act – broke up trusts Ex. Sherman Antitrust Act – broke up trusts Ex. Hepburn Act – regulated railroads Ex. Hepburn Act – regulated railroads TR’s Reforms

8. TR loved the role of the Battler of Corruption

9. After reading Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle he pushed for passage of After reading Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle he pushed for passage of –The Meat Inspection Act –The Pure Food and Drug Act

10. TR loved the environment and considered himself a ‘conservationist’ TR loved the environment and considered himself a ‘conservationist’ Pushed to create the National Forest System Pushed to create the National Forest System This later led to the creation of the National Park Service This later led to the creation of the National Park Service

11. III.William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Tried to be Teddy... But just wasn’t Tried to be Teddy... But just wasn’t He was quiet, reserved, cautious AND He was quiet, reserved, cautious AND The fattest president at over 300+ lbs The fattest president at over 300+ lbs Not nearly as much of a reformer as TR Not nearly as much of a reformer as TR

13. White House legend has it that President Taft once got stuck in the bathtub in the private quarters. The details of how and why are…sketchy at best.

14. Taft’s Reforms Continued TR’s trustbusting Continued TR’s trustbusting Pushed for 8hr work day for public employees Pushed for 8hr work day for public employees Overall, not so successful at ‘getting stuff done’ Overall, not so successful at ‘getting stuff done’

15. IV. Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921 Strong morals & ethics Strong morals & ethics Quiet, but determined to make reforms Quiet, but determined to make reforms

16. Wilson’s Reforms Determined to break up monopolies & regulate businesses Determined to break up monopolies & regulate businesses Ex. Clayton Anti-trust Act (even stronger law than TR’s) Ex. Clayton Anti-trust Act (even stronger law than TR’s) Signed law banning child labor (under 14 yrs old) Signed law banning child labor (under 14 yrs old) Supported 8hr work day Supported 8hr work day Backed the creation of the Federal Reserve (The FED – the central bank of the US that regulates the country’s money supply) Backed the creation of the Federal Reserve (The FED – the central bank of the US that regulates the country’s money supply)

17. New Amendments under Wilson 16 th Amendment – allows fed. Gov. to collect income tax 16 th Amendment – allows fed. Gov. to collect income tax –Graduated income tax (wealthy pay more) 17 th Amendment – direct election of senators by people 17 th Amendment – direct election of senators by people 18 th Amendment – prohibition – banned the production & sale of alcohol 18 th Amendment – prohibition – banned the production & sale of alcohol 19 th Amendment – women’s right to vote 19 th Amendment – women’s right to vote

18. Summary Questions 1. Describe Teddy Roosevelt. What were some of his major reforms? 2. Describe William Howard Taft. What were some of his major reforms? 3. Describe Woodrow Wilson. What were some of his major reforms? 4. Which progressive president do you think was actually the most ‘progressive’ – meaning who made the most changes and got the most done?