Chapter 10
Section 2 Notes
Roosevelt and the Square Deal
**1900 America was a grand time as exemplified by the Electric Tower at the
Pan-American Exposition in New York. America was emerging as an economic
and otherwise world power.
TR was the running mate for President McKinley. He was chosen for this because
the conservative republican party wanted to bury the progressive Roosevelt in
the most powerless but prestigious place they could- the Vice Presidency.
September 6, 1901- McKinley was shot by an anarchist (Czolgosz)- eight days
later TR was the President of the US at the age of 42. He promptly renamed the
Executive Mansion the White House and brought dynamic leadership to the
progressive movement.
TR’s Different Approach
Prior to TR presidents usually took a “hands-off” approach to government
Not TR- He thought the president should be the leader of government
“Bully Pulpit”- TR felt the President should use the presidency to speak out on
vital issues.
One of TR’s goals as president was to fight class distinctions
In TR’s words
“No republic can permanently exist when it becomes a republic of classes.”
The United Mine Workers Strike
In the Spring of 1902 150,000 coal miners struck for higher wages and
recognition of their union.
1.
2.
The mine owners refused to negotiate
Spurred by Washington Gladden thousands signed a petition for TR to
intercede
3. Conservatives wanted TR to send in the US Army
4. Progressives wanted the gov’t to take over the mines
5. TR encouraged the sides to agree to arbitration- using a 3rd party
6. Nothing happened for awhile until TR threatened to take over the mines
7. Both sides got some of what they wanted- workers-shorter hours and
more $. Owners did not have to recognize the union.
*Precedent- This was the 1st time the gov’t had intervened to protect workers
and the public
The Square Deal
• The Square Deal was TR’s 1904 campaign slogan. It means that everybody
has a fair chance- no more or no less.
*TR won the election easily- the conservatives didn’t dare challenge him
Regulating Business
TR believed big business was essential BUT it should be regulated to serve the
public good
• TR won a 1902 case against Northern Securities (JP Morgan, James Hill and
EH Harriman) that they monopolized RR’s in violation of the Sherman
Antitrust Act- in 1904 the Supreme Court agreed.
• Next year TR filed 44 Antitrust suits. TR didn’t hate wealth just
“misconduct”
RR Regulation
TR promoted RR regulation:
1. 1903 Elkins Act- Forbade shipping Co’s from accepting
rebates. Supported by politicians and RR owners
2. 1906 Hepburn Act- Authorized the Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC) to regulate interstate RR rates and pipeline
co’s
Overall effect was a strengthening of federal power and turning
the ICC into an important regulatory agency
Food and Drug Safety
Many food companies were adding dangerous chemicals to food
to make spoiled products appear fresh- making a lot of people
sick.
Many drugs were mislabeled or made false claims.
After Upton Sinclair published The Jungle the public demanded
action.
Result: 1906 Meat Inspection Act and The Pure Food
and Drug Act which is why we have ingredient labels
on our products and medicines.
Protecting the Environment
TR believed that it was important to “conserve” our natural
resources for future generations. This may be TR’s greatest
legacy.
Gifford Pinchot was a friend of TR’s who promoted conservation
•
•
•
•
TR’s Conservation Accomplishments
Reclamation- Turning damaged land into productive land
16 National Monuments
51 Wildlife Refuges
Creation of the National Park Service