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Topic 3, Lesson 6: How Progressive was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt Histography
When did Theodore Roosevelt become President?
What political party was Theodore Roosevelt from?
Who was Roosevelt’s predecessor?
Why do some historians view Theodore Roosevelt as a reactionary?
What is a reactionary?
What contributions to the Progressive movement do other historians believe Roosevelt had?
Why was Theodore Roosevelt criticised by the Liberals?
Why was Theodore Roosevelt criticised by members of his own party?
Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) became President in 1901 after the assassination of his predecessor, William McKinley.
Some historians believe Theodore Roosevelt was a reactionary (someone who opposes social and political reform/conservative) who supported reforms in order to prevent revolution.
Other historians believe Theodore Roosevelt gave much publicity and impetus (kick-start) to the Progressive Movement.
Theodore Roosevelt was criticised by liberalists for being too cautious in his Progressive policies.
On the other hand, Theodore Roosevelt was criticised by conservative members of the Republican Party for being too radical in his Progressive reforms.
Topic 3, Lesson 6: How Progressive was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt’s Anti-Trust Laws
What did Theodore Roosevelt make clear during his first State of the Union Address to Congress in 1901?
What was Roosevelt planning to do with the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890?
In 1902, what did Theodore Roosevelt instruct his attorney-general Knox to start doing in relation to the Northern Security Company?
What was the Northern Security Company?
Who did this directly impact?
When and why was the Northern Security Company dissolved?
In total, how many anti-trust prosecutions did Roosevelt take on during his presidency?
What was the Hepburn Act?
When was the Hepburn Act introduced?
What was the aim of the Hepburn Act?
During his first State of the Union Address to Congress in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt made it clear that he would take on big businesses.
Theodore Roosevelt was determined to make the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 more effective.
Remember: the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 prohibited the establishment of trusts, monopolies and cartels.
In 1902 Roosevelt instructed his attorney-general Knox to start proceedings against the Northern Security Company.
The Northern Security Company controlled several railroads in the North East of America.
The proceedings would involve taking on powerful business men involved in the company such as John D Rockefeller and J P Morgan.
By 1904, the Supreme Court decided the Northern Security Company was illegal and it was dissolved.
During his two administrations, Theodore Roosevelt took on 44 anti-trust prosecutions. Among these 44 were the American Tobacco and Standard Oil Company (J D Rockefeller).
The Hepburn Act was introduced in 1906 and gave power to a federal government commission to inspect books of railroad companies and to lay down the maximum rates they could charge. This was to try protect the public from exploitation.
Topic 3, Lesson 6: How Progressive was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt’s Labour Relations (The 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike)
What was the response of previous presidents toward industrial disputes (including those that turned violent)?
What was the approach that Theodore Roosevelt took toward industrial disputes?
How did this approach impact Theodore’s popularity?
Case study: The 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike
Why was there tension between the employers and employees at the anthracite coal mine in Pennsylvania?
How did Theodore Roosevelt handle this tension?
Previous presidents had always taken the side of workers during industrial disputes.
Theodore Roosevelt, on the other hand, was prepared to intervene in industrial disputes on the side of workers.
For example: The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902
Employers had locked out miners who went on strike over better wages and an 8-hour day
To deal with this, Roosevelt summoned the employers and miners to Washington and told the employers that he would send troops to work the mines unless they agreed to arbitration (settle the dispute)
Topic 3, Lesson 6: How Progressive was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt and National Conservation
Why was Theodore Roosevelt considered to be ahead of his time?
What did Theodore Roosevelt order regarding 150 million acres of forest?
What did Theodore Roosevelt achieve in 1908 National Conservation Conference?
What measures did Theodore Roosevelt undertake to improve the quality of food standards?
Theodore Roosevelt was considered to be ahead of his time because he was possibly the first president to realise that natural resources were not infinite.
Theodore Roosevelt ordered 150 million acres of forest to be placed on federal reserves and strictly enforced laws concerning grazing, mining and lumbering.
During the 1908 National Conservation Conference, Roosevelt led many states into creating their own commissions to look after the environment.
Additionally, Roosevelt also extended the role of the federal government in food consumption. For example, Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) started the process of ending food adulteration.
Topic 3, Lesson 6: How Progressive was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt’s Achievements
Throughout his second administration, who did Roosevelt continue to take action against?
What were the limitations of Roosevelt’s successes?
Through his second administration, Roosevelt continued to take action against big businesses. Roosevelt showed a genuine concern for the underdog and he placed many of the Progressive’s greatest concerns on the nation’s agenda.
However, Theodore Roosevelt was unable to persuade Congress to pass more Progressive reforms. And, he was not helped by the growing divide within the Republican Party between the conservatives and Progressives.
