President Roosevelt
and his Square Deal
Teddy Roosevelt
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Roosevelt was a smart,
energetic leader, who had
rose to the rank of Colonel
in the US Army as part of
the Calvary division known
as the Rough Riders.
He was elected as
President McKinley’s Vice
President in 1900.
Teddy Roosevelt becomes President
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In 1901, at the beginning of his 2nd
term, President McKinley is
Assassinated.
Roosevelt becomes the 26th President
of the United States. At 43 years old,
he is the youngest President in history.
He is reelected in 1904, serving as
President until 1909.
He was a Republican and a leader of
Progressive Movement.
He is considered one of the greatest
presidents in the history of the United
States.
Roosevelt’s Square Deal
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President Roosevelt coined the term ‘Square Deal’ in
reference to the Progressive Movements agenda of
political reform and individual protections.
The goal was to keep the wealthy and powerful from
taking advantage of small business owners and the poor.
He compared his Square Deal to a hand of cards: ‘When I
say I believe in a square deal, I do not mean to give every
man the best hand. If good cards do not come to any
man, or if they do come, and he has not got the power to
play them, that is his affair. All I mean is that there shall be
no crookedness in the dealing.”
1902 Coal Strike
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Roosevelt: Called both sides to the White
House to negotiate, threatening to take
over the mines.
Legislation: none
Trusts
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Roosevelt: Filed suits under the Sherman
Anti-Trust Act against the railroads, beef,
oil, tobacco and other trusts.
Legislation : Sherman Anti-Trust
Deregulating Big Business
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Roosevelt: Urged Congress to strengthen
Interstate Commerce Act. Fought for
passage of the Hepburn Act (power to set
Rail Road rates)
Legislation : Interstate Commerce Act,
Elkins Act, Hepburn Act
Dangerous Food and Medicine
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Roosevelt: appointed a commission to
study the meatpacking industry.
Legislation : Meat Inspection Act
(inspection of meat and standards of
cleanliness), Pure Food and Drug Act
(prohibited sale of falsely labeled items)
Shrinking wilderness and natural
resources
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Roosevelt: promoted conservation of
natural resources, set aside thousands of
acres of forest reserves, water-power sites,
wildlife sanctuaries, national park sites, US
forest services, irrigation projects
Legislation : National Reclamations Act
{Newland Act} (sell public land to pay for
irrigation and building projects)
Racial Discrimination
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Roosevelt: Appointed an African American
to head South Carolina custom house, he
refused to dismiss the African American
postmistress in Mississippi, and he invited
Booker T. Washington to dinner at the
White House.
Legislation : none