Tracy High School
US History
Progressive Presidents Notes
What was President Roosevelt’s Square
Deal?
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To use the federal government to protect the
needs of the citizens by ensuring business
leaders, laborers, farmers, and consumers were
treated equally.
How did President Roosevelt give business
leaders a Square Deal?
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By using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to break up
trusts like the Northern Securities Company
(Railroad Company that had a monopoly over the
Northwestern rail lines).
How did President Roosevelt give laborers a
Square Deal?
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He forced the mine owners and unionized mine
workers to arbitration after a 5 month strike.
The mine owners only agreed to arbitration after
President Roosevelt threatened to nationalize
their coal mine.
Miners secured a 9-hour work day and a 10% pay
increase.
Mine owners did not have to recognize the union
and hire only union workers.
President Roosevelt set a precedent for future
presidents by taking federal action when the
public welfare was threatened.
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How did President Roosevelt give farmers a
Square Deal?
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How did President Roosevelt give consumers
a Square Deal?
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What were some other reforms that President
Roosevelt achieved?
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He persuaded Congress to pass the Elkins Act
and the Hepburn Act.
The Elkins Act made it illegal for railroad official
and shippers to give rebates for using particular
railroad lines as well as requiring railroad
companies to notify the public of rate increases.
The Hepburn Act gave the ICC the right to set
rates with court approval.
He persuaded Congress to pass the Meat
Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.
The Meat Inspection Act set cleanliness
standards for meatpackers and created a federal
meat inspection program.
The Pure Food and Drug Act halted the sale of
contaminated foods and medicines and called for
truth in labeling.
He set aside millions of acres of western land for
forest preserves, water-power sites, wild life
sanctuaries, and national parks.
How was President Taft a progressive
president?
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What was President Woodrow Wilson’s New
Freedom?
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He sought to consolidate rather than expand
President Roosevelt’s reforms.
He busted over 90 trusts.
He increased the number of federal employees
under the civil service.
He supported the 16th (income tax) and 17th
Amendment (direct election of senators).
He supported Congressional bid to increase the
power of the ICC.
He failed to lower the tariff or support
conservation of western land.
He wanted to harness the extremes of great
wealth and radical agitation.
He wanted to preserve and strengthen our
democratic and capitalist society through
lowering tariffs, improving the banking system,
using the government to regulate business, and
protecting unions and workers.
How did President Wilson lower the tariff?
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He supported the Underwood Tariff Act which
reduced tariff rates.
How did President Wilson improve our
banking system?
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He supported the Federal Reserve Act which
created an effective banking system.
How did President Wilson regulate big
business?
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He continued to bust trusts.
He supported the income tax to
He supported the Federal Trade Commission Act
which helped prevent unfair business practices.
How did President Wilson protect unions and
workers?
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He supported the Clayton Anti-Trust Act which
exempted unions in anti-trust lawsuits.
He supported the Adamson Act which
established an 8 hour work day for railroad
workers.
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