The Progressive Presidents

Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson

Theodore Roosevelt• Weak child, overcame weaknesses

• Wealthy family, Harvard cowboy

• Used media well in NY politics

• Wife, mother died on same day

• Wanted American Imperialism, “White man’s burden”

Young “Teedy” Roosevelt

Roosevelt (cont.)• USS Maine explodes in Cuba

• Begins Spanish-American War

• Made “Rough Riders” to attack Spain

• Famous San Juan Hill charge—hero

• Made governor of NY, VP

• McKinley assassination makes him president (new, active man)

• Protects natural resources

Rough Rider

Roosevelt (cont.)

• “Speak softly and carry a big stick”

• Used “Panama revolution” to build and control canal under Monroe Doctrine.

• Broke monopolies when abusive—ie. railroads but not steel.

• Supported unions if honest.

• Feared socialism, re-elected to “Bully Pulpit”.

William Howard Taft

Roosevelt

• Chose P.R. nightmare, tariff problem- plagued Taft as successor, regretted it.

• Taft alienated Progressives/T.R.

• 1912—T.R. ran against Taft as Progressive “Bull Moose Party” (shot, finishes speech)

• Taft and Roosevelt defeated by democrat Woodrow Wilson.

1912 Election Results

• Woodrow Wilson (435)

• Teddy Roosevelt (88)

• William Howard Taft (8)

• Eugene Debs (0)

Socialist Party=6% of vote

Runs for pres. from prison in 1920

Woodrow Wilson• Wilson continues progressive reforms• Creates Federal Reserve and

Federal Trade Commission to manage finance.

• Direct federal income tax created.• Major racist, expels all African

Americans from government positions.

• Reelected 1916 under slogan “He kept us out of war.”

Woodrow Wilson