Lesson Summary: Reformers in the White House

Reformers in the White House

Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency (1901)

  • Background: Theodore Roosevelt was a war hero, seasoned politician, and dedicated reformer.

  • Trust Busting: He utilized the federal government's power to take on big businesses, breaking up trusts he deemed abusive.

  • Hepburn Act (1906): Roosevelt influenced Congress to pass the Hepburn Act, which limited railroad shipping charges.

  • Conservation: Roosevelt placed millions of acres of forests under federal control.

    • He followed the "rational use" principle, advocated by Gifford Pinchot, head of the Division of Forestry, to protect forests as lumber sources.

  • National Reclamation Act: Roosevelt pushed for this act to resolve water source disputes in the West.

    • It empowered the government to build and manage dams, controlling water usage.

Transition to Taft and Roosevelt's Disappointment

  • Succession: After two terms, Roosevelt wanted William Howard Taft to succeed him.

  • Disagreement: Taft diverged from Roosevelt's policies, leading to Roosevelt's disappointment and criticism.

  • New Nationalism: Roosevelt promoted this program to restore the government's trust-busting capabilities.

1912 Election and the Progressive Party

  • Progressive Party: Progressives formed this party and nominated Roosevelt for President.

  • Republican Split: Roosevelt and Taft divided the Republican vote, enabling Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the 1912 election.

Woodrow Wilson's Presidency and New Freedom

  • Shared Ideology: Like Roosevelt, Wilson was a reformer who advocated for an active governmental role in the economy.

  • New Freedom: Wilson's three-part program:

    • Tariff Reduction: Wilson aimed to prevent manufacturers from charging unfairly high prices by cutting tariffs on imported goods, fostering competition and fairer pricing.

    • Federal Reserve Act: This law empowered the government to supervise banks by placing national banks under the control of the Federal Reserve Board.

    • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Wilson established the FTC to monitor business practices, prevent false advertising, and ensure honest labeling.

Impact of Progressivism

  • Political Reforms: Expanded the power of voters.

  • Economic Reforms: Enabled government regulation of corporations and banks in the public interest.

  • Consumer Protections: Increased public confidence in product safety.

  • Natural Resource Management: The government began managing natural resources nationwide.