PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENTS

p. 620-624

Roosevelt Facts

• Became President after William McKinley was assassinated

• Known as a “trustbuster” – went after monopolies and big business

• Ended labor crisis with the United Mine Workers – arranged for arbitration to work out disputes

• Ran for President in 1904 using “Square Deal” campaign – equal treatment for all

• Conservationist – created US Forest Service and the National Park System

Taft Facts

• Won election of 1908 (beat William Jennings Bryan); had support of Roosevelt

• Continued anti-trust policies

• Supported 16th Amendment – income tax

• Failed to fight lowering tariffs and favored big business

Roosevelt vs. Taft

• Roosevelt was disappointed in Taft and decided to run again

• Both Republican – Roosevelt won every primary

• Taft had backing of big business (money)

• Taft won nomination

• Roosevelt started “Progressive Party” (aka… the “Bull Moose Party”)

Election of 1912

• Republican – William Howard Taft

• Democrat – Woodrow Wilson

• Progressive – Theodore Roosevelt

• Republicans split their votes between Taft and Roosevelt… Wilson wins

Wilson Facts

• Supported most “Progressive” goals

• Lowered tariffs

• Helped to pass the Federal Reserve Act – regulates banking

• Supported Antitrust Acts

• Progressivism begins to fade by 1914 as America begins to focus on War that broke out in Europe