Progressive Presidents

Objective 7.02

Theodore RooseveltInternationally—he was a Social Darwinist

Domestically—believed that government should actively balance the needs of competing groups in American society

“Square Deal”

Reform program during 2nd term

Wanted to supervise business and protect public interest

Provide a “square” (fair) deal for everyone

Anthracite Coal StrikeUnited Mine Workers (UMW) call for strike in 1902

Coal prices increasedRoosevelt felt it was another example of groups pursuing their private interests at the expense of the nation

Strike threatened to shut down factories and leave many people w/o heat for winter

Roosevelt called for arbitrationUnions agreedMine owners refusedRoosevelt threatened military action and then the owners agreed

Bureau of Corporations1903Gave government authority to investigate large businesses

Allowed government to look at business practices and solve problems w/o breaking up trusts—thus sparing the economy

TrustsBelieved trusts contributed to economic success but they were also worrisome

J.P. Morgan created a large new RR trust called Northern Securities

Roosevelt said company was in violation of Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Ordered Attorney General to file a lawsuit

Northern Securities v. U.S. (1904)—Supreme Court agreed that Northern Securities was in violation

Victory for Roosevelt, hailed as a “trustbuster”

His popularity soared

Social WelfareBy 1905 consumer protection was a big issue

Due to Sinclair’s The JungleMeat Inspection Act (1906)Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Conservation

Actively bought and protected undeveloped land

Protected from lumber companies

Increase of Gov’t Power ICC could set RR rates (Hepburn Act)

Agriculture Department could inspect food

Bureau of Corporations could monitor businesses

Attorney General could bring Anti-trust lawsuit

William Taft

Easily won Election of 1908 over William Jennings Bryan

Roosevelt supported; Taft had been his Sec. of War

Taft was complete opposite of RooseveltRoosevelt had been energetic, loved the spotlight, and was quick and decisive on issues

Taft was a skilled administrator, avoided conflict, and was slow at making decisions

Taft’s ReformsTwice as many anti-trust lawsuitsAmerican Tobacco Co. v. U.S. (1911)—broke up the company into R.J. Reynolds, Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Co., and Lorillard

Created Children’s Bureau—investigated Child Labor

Created Bureau of Mines—monitor activity of mines

Expanded National ForestMann-Elkins Act—increased the power of the ICC

Payne-Aldrich TariffTaft wanted to lower tariffsRoosevelt warned against thisCongress passed tariff which barely cut tariffs and actually raised them on some goods

Taft reluctantly accepted—lost him a lot of support

Election of 1912Democratic Party—Woodrow Wilson

Republican Party—William Taft

Progressive Party (Bull Moose)—Theodore Roosevelt

Wilson and Roosevelt heavily supported reform

Roosevelt’s New Nationalism CampaignAccepted economic power of trusts Increase power to regulateProtect women and children in labor

Supported workers compensationFavored creation of Federal Trade Commission to regulate industry

Wilson’s New Freedom CampaignWanted to destroy monopolies—not regulate them

Thought federal government was too strong

Felt freedom was more important than efficiency

OutcomeRepublicans split the vote between Taft and Roosevelt

Allowed Wilson to win

Wilson’s Reforms

Underwood TariffReduced average tariffHeld provision for collecting direct income tax

Federal Reserve ActCreated Federal Reserve System

Banks must keep portion of deposits in reserve

Keating-Owen Child Labor ActProhibited children under 14 to work in factories that produced goods for interstate commerce

Adamson ActForced 8 hour workday for RR workers

Federal Trade CommissionMonitor American businessesCan order to stop unfair business practices

Did not fully satisfy progressives

Clayton Anti-Trust ActRecognized unionsBanned tying agreements—when a retailer is required to stop selling a competitor’s products

Manufacturers could no longer give discounts to chain stores who bought in bulk

16th Amendment

Established 1913, Federal graduated income tax.