A Progressive Federal
Government…
Progressive Politics Under Teddy Roosevelt,
William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson
THROUGH POLITICAL CARTOONS!
Progressivism Under TR
• An “accidental” president
– Put into VP spot to “shut him up.”
• 1901 becomes president after Will McKinley
dies.
• Accomplishments – “Square Deal”
– 1902 = First to use Sherman Anti-trust Act to
break up illegal trusts.
– 1903 = Established “Department of Labor” as
cabinet position.
– 1903 = Elkins Act.
•
Empowered Interstate Commerce Commission to
act against RRs that were giving illegal rebates.
– 1905 = Creates United States Forest Service to
manage the nation’s water and timber resources.
– 1905 = TR sets aside 200 million acres of land
for national parks. (John Muir!)
– 1906 = Hepburn Act
• Allows Interstate Commerce Commission
enforcement powers.
– 1906 = Meat Inspection Act
– 1906 = Pure Food and Drug Act
• Food and Drug Administration Created (FDA)
During his two
terms in office,
TR’s
administration filed
“anti-trust”
legislation against
42 different
companies…
Trust
Busting!
Teddy Roosevelt
Video Clip Questions…
1. When TR entered office, what percentage of
American businesses were owned by trusts?
2. What trusts did TR try to break up using the
Sherman Anti-Trust Act?
3. What industry did the Interstate Commerce
Commission regulate under TR’s
administration?
4. Under the Pure Food and Drug Act, what could
producers now NOT do?
5. How many acres of forest land did TR withdraw
from public sale (turn into national parks)
during his administration?
Progressives Lose Their Way…
I’ll make you
Traitor!!!
the next
President!!!
• William Taft is TR’s handpicked successor.
– He wins easily in 1908.
• Taft angers Progressives by
passing a protective tariff.
– Why would a tariff anger many
progressives?
• Hires Richard Ballinger,
admitted anti-conservationist,
as head of the Dept. of the
Interior.
– Fires Gifford Pinchot
– Angers TR
• When TR returns from Safari in
1910, he starts to campaign
against Taft
– “New Nationalism”
Election of 1912
• Taft wins nomination of Republicans
• TR breaks away, forms
“Progressive” Party
– Later called “Bull-Moose Party”
• Platform: Reduce tariffs, women’s
suffrage, business regulation, child labor
ban, eight hour workday, direct election
of senators
• Wilson is nominated by Democrats
– Promises a “New Freedom”
• Platform: Many of the same reforms as
TR, but easier on business.
TR Campaigns in 1912
What are the issues that TR campaigned upon?
Wilson Campaigns in 1912
What are the issues that Wilson campaigned upon?
Wilson Wins!!!
A Progressive Renaissance Under
Wilson
• Wilson’s Policies: (New Freedom)
– Underwood Tariff Act of 1913
• Cut average tariff from 40% to 25%
– Income Tax
• To fund progressive gov’t programs
– Clayton Anti-trust Act
• Clarified and strengthened Sherman
Anti-Trust Act
– Stated the Unions were not trusts
• Created Federal Trade Commission
(FTC)
– Organization to ensure business
dealings are free and fair.
– Creates Federal Reserve
• To supervise and regulate banks and
manage nation’s money supply.
Federal Reserve Districts
Wilson created the Federal Reserve System in 1913 to
help regulate the banking industry.
Exit Ticket
• Answer the following question on a scrap
piece of paper in a few sentences and
return it on your way out the door today…
• We’ve now studied 3 Progressive
presidents and countless other
Progressive politicians…
• Pick a politician today that you would label
as “Progressive.” Why would you label
this person as so?