Roosevelt Presidency
4 C’s
Conservation of Natural Resources
Controlling Corporations
Land Reclamation
Forest Preservation
Newlands Reclamation Act Forest Preservation Act Sold public lands to pay for irrigation projects Controlled lumbering on fed. lands
Wildlife Protection
51 bird reservation and game preserves
Actions Taken:
Roosevelt filed suit against JP Morgan using the Sherman Anti Trust Act (trusts
for purposes of restraint of trade were illegal, also made Monopolies illegal)
Roosevelt nicknamed “Trust Buster”
Reality – did little to change business practices
Historic Site Preservation
5 national parks
How did these actions expand the powers of the Presidency?
Expanded presidential role in management of our natural resources. Set a
precedent for presidential role in placing issues on the national agenda
How did these actions expand the powers of the Presidency?
Established presidential role in controlling “Big Business” , looking out for public vs.
private interests and a “hands on” policy of business
Caring for Labor
Actions Taken:
UMW strike for 20% pay and 8hr day, recognition of union
Roosevelt tried to end strike by forcing arbitration – mine owners refused
Roosevelt threatened to send in federal troops to take over mines – owners agreed
to arbitration.
Workers get – 9hr day and 10% pay increase, no recognition of union
Consumer Protection
Actions Taken:
Responded to Sinclair’s Jungle
Meat Inspection Act – outlawed misleading labels and dangerous chemical
preservatives. Roosevelt compromised with business by agreeing govt should pay
for meat packing inspections and dropped requirement to date meat
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) – banned the manufacture, sale or shipment of
impure or falsely labeled food and drugs in interstate commerce
FDA established later
How did these actions expand the powers of the Presidency?
How did these actions expand the powers of the Presidency?
Roosevelt worked on behalf of public interest to get a “Square Deal” Established a
president for presidential participation in future labor disputes
Presidential role in defending the public interest on consumer issues.