1900-1917

Three Progressive Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt, William H.

Taft, and Woodrow Wilson

The Federal Government and the Presidency gain power, 1900-1917Three Progressive Presidents: (T)

Theodore Roosevelt, (R)1901-1908

William Howard Taft (R) 1908-1912

Woodrow Wilson (D) 1912-1920

The Progressives are demanding more action from the government

Amendment passes for direct election of U.S Senators

People turn to the President for leadership

IN THIS PERIOD, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESIDENCY WILL GROW IN POWER AND CONTINUE TO UNTIL THE PRESENT DAY. WASHINGTON, D.C. BECAME THE POWER CENTER OF THE U.S.

Theodore Roosevelt, The Accidental President, 1901

McKinley assassinated42 years old, youngest to assume officeBelieved in using the power of the Presidency!!! Moderate—believed using the office of the

presidency and the government as a go-between for business/industry and the people

He was a moderate on labor—wanted to settle disputes as a mediator—but did support many labor issues

Wanted regulation but not destruction of trusts and monopolies

Roosevelt’s “Square Deal” Wanted to be fair to as many people as possible, “Level

the Playing Field” First target—railroads, Hepburn Act, Railroad RegulationNegotiated an end to the coal strike Used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to bring charges against

over 40 companies Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act8 Hour workdayPayment for those injured at work in factoriesRegulation of the stock market Higher Inheritance and a progressive income tax Conservation of wilderness areas and forests

T.R. with John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club

Financial Panic of 1907Government had little real control

over the economyToo many goods were being

produced and the global market could not absorb them

There had also been irresponsible speculation and financial mismanagement.

J.P. Morgan helps with a bailout for the economy

T. Roosevelt leaves office and hand picks Taft to replace him. Safari time!

J. P. Morgan put together a financial plan to support the weak financial institutions.

TODAY Warren Buffet is financing some firms.

President William Howard Taft, 1909

Could not fill Roosevelt’s shoes—personality, energy, charisma

Both the progressives and the conservatives thought he shared their views---could please NO ONE

Brought suits against over 90 corporations Fought with the Congress over the tariff Ballinger-Pinchot Affair-Debate over the

use of public lands (Angered T Roosevelt) Left office one of the most defeated

presidents in historyLater was appointed Chief Justice of the

U.S. Supreme Court

Election of 1912The Return of Theodore

Roosevelt?William Howard Taft –RepublicanWoodrow Wilson ---DemocratTheodore Roosevelt—”Bull Moose” Progressive Party-New Nationalism

Eugene Debs ---Socialist PartyHighly emotional campaign—Taft is devastated

T. Roosevelt is struck by a bullet during the campaign

Woodrow Wilson’s “New Freedom” Served 2 termsScholar—a professor and later President of PrincetonDiffered from Roosevelt in that he wanted to break up

trusts and monopolies—not just regulate themClayton Anti-Trust Act, Federal Trade Commission He took EVEN MORE POWER into his own hands as

presidentApproved the graduated income tax (16th

Amendment) MOST IMPORTANTLY—PASSED THE FEDERAL RESERVE

ACT – and set up the FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD to bring stability to the banking system. This institution is very important today and regulating our economy.

Wilson feels the pressure…..more reforms

Passed laws against child labor Made it easier for farmers to get

loans (credit) Appointed Louis Brandeis to

Supreme Court (first Jewish justice)

Workman’s comp for employees of the federal government

Refused to support the Woman Suffrage Movement

Reimposed segregation in federal agencies (TR had eliminated them)

W. Wilson relaxed after his first term but soon realized he had to act to get reelected.

The Progressive Movement: 1900-1920

Was the Progressive Movement of the early 1900s a success or a failure? Did progressive reformers achieve their goals? Which groups benefitted from reforms? Which groups were left behind in the progressive movement?

Progressive Era Video-Summary (33:00) Presidents begin at 10 minutes

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=PWmQhnK6xu8&name=Just+the+Facts-+The+Emergence+of+Modern+America+The+Progressive+Era&uploadUsername=wdiaz120&hitCount=4868

TEST Tomorrow