roosevelt and progressivism

ROOSEVELT AND PROGRESSIVISM

ROUGH RIDING PRESIDENT

Born into a wealthy family.

Asthma made him stronger! – Active lifestyle.

NY Police commissioner.

Colonel of the “Rough Riders” regiment during Spanish American War - 1898

http://www.history.com/shows/the-presidents/videos/theodore-roosevelts-acts-and-legacy#theodore-roosevelts-acts-and-legacy

ROOSEVELT Not supposed to be president.

McKinley assassinated so it was Teddy’s time.

Took office at 42 years old – Republican

He was different – dynamic personality, strong willed, unlike any president before him.

Model for future presidents.

Used personality and popularity to advance his programs.

Led American toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy.

ROOSEVELT Saw presidency as a

way to influence the news media and shape legislation.

Wanted to takeaction for the publicgood.

“Speak softly andcarry a big stick”

SQUARE DEAL Fair opportunities for

all!

The 3 C’s 1. Conservation of

natural resources2. Control of

Corporations 3. Consumer protection

Keeps an eye on big business

1902 COAL STRIKE

1902 COAL STRIKERoosevelt's Steps Legislation that helped

Roosevelt calls both sides to White House to talk (instead of calling in the troops).

Finds operators

stupid/bad tempered.

Arbitration commission Mediator for both

sides

Miners won a 10% pay hike and 9 hour day

TRUSTBUSTING Roosevelt had

good mediation skills so he used them!

Sought to stop trusts that were harmful to the public but maintain those that were good. “The Trust Buster”

TRUSTBUSTINGRoosevelt’s Steps Legislation that helped

Filed suits under Sherman Antitrust Act.

Sued Northern Securities Company (they had a monopoly) Also sued – beef trust,

oil trust and tobacco trust.

Filed 44 antitrust suits

Sherman Antitrust Act

UNREGULATED BIG BUSINESSRoosevelt’s Steps Legislation that helped Urged congress to

strengthen the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

Fought for the Elkins Act

Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

Elkins Act

DANGEROUS FOODS/MEDICINE Roosevelts’ Steps Legislation that helped

Appointed a commission to study the meat packing industry

Pushed for passage of Meat Inspection Act

Meat Inspection Act

Pure Food and Drug Act

SHRINKING WILDERNESS/NATURAL RESOURCES

Roosevelt's ’ Steps Legislation that helped

Promoted conservation of natural resources

Set aside

thousands of acres of forest reserves, water power sites, wild life sanctuaries and national parks

National Reclamation Act (Newlands Act)

CONSERVATION VS. PRESERVATION

John MuirNaturalist

Believed parks should be preserved and that we should “connect with nature”

Parks are sacred space – Keep them as they are!

CONSERVATION VS. PRESERVATION

Gifford PinchotBelieved nature

can be managed and controlled

Friends with Roosevelt

Head of U.S. Forest Service

Friends with Muir…for a second

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION Roosevelt’s Steps Legislation that helped

Not much…

Invited Booker T. Washing to Dinner (symbolic gesture)

None

NAACP National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People 6,000 members by 1914Aimed for equality among races

This goal didn’t have much support from progressive reformers