The Progressive Presidents

1901-1921

What does it mean to be progressive?

How truly progressive were these presidents?

PRESIDENT

Theodore (Teddy)

Roosevelt

(became president after President McKinley was shot)

YEARS IN OFFICE

1901-1909

• Governor of New York

• Rancher in Dakota• Harvard Graduate

• Cavalry (Rough Riders)

Background

POLITICAL PARTY

Republican

Progressive

T.R.’s Efforts to Reform

•Based on Belief in “ Square Deal”

•1st time government intervened in a strike to protect workers and public

•Expanded the role of government by trustbusting 44 trusts.

T.R’s Additional ReformsHelped Enact “Food &

Drug Act”Helped Enact

“Meat Inspection Act”

T.R’s Additional Reforms

•Set aside 150 millions acres as forest preserve

•Newlands Reclamation Act: paid for making damaged land productive.

•Created National Conservation Commission

Cruise of the Great White Fleet 1907-1909

T.R’s PROBLEMS

Very popular, no opposition in 1904 for reelection.

Critics said conservation efforts too costly.

Great White Fleet represented imperialism.

PRESIDENT

William H. Taft

YEARS IN OFFICE

1909-1913

Secretary of War

for Teddy Roosevelt

• Taft was from which party? (Look at the poster for clue)

Background• Accepted Nomination in Cincinnati (now

the Taft Museum of Art)•Back was so round…. Taft needed a

custom tub!

Taft’s Efforts to Reform•Filed 90 suits against trusts.

•Helped adopt the 16th Amendment

•Income tax based on individual income: now fund government programs in a fair manner.

Taft’s Additional ReformsCreated the

Department of LaborAdded vast area’s to nation’s forest

preserves

PROBLEMS

Former judge. Did not want presidency. Progressives did not like his support for lowering tariffs & firing US Forestry Service head & not helping dispute in Congressional Rules Committee Lost Teddy Roosevelt’s support (TR ran against Taft, but Wilson won)

PRESIDENT

Woodrow Wilson

YEARS IN OFFICE

1913-1921

Governor of New Jersey

Background

Governor of New JerseyDean of Princeton University

POLITICAL PARTY

Democrat

Wilson’s Efforts to Reform

•Based on Belief in “ New Freedom”

•Wanted a return to small business, where the “little guy” was free from control of

big business and government.

•Passed Clayton Anti-Trust Act

•Corporations could not undersell, or buy stock to be monopoly

Wilson’s Additional ReformsEstablished the Federal Trade Commission

Federal Reserve Act

PROBLEMS

Could not get child labor laws passed. Did not support suffrage for women in his campaign for reelection. Blacks’ rights unprotected. Prohibition difficult to enforce.