17.3
Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal
Introduction
Theodore Roosevelt's presidency focused on delivering a "Square Deal" to American citizens through progressive reforms.
Conservation efforts during his presidency left a lasting impact on environmental resources.
Upton Sinclair and The Jungle
Context of The Jungle:
Upton Sinclair began researching for his book in 1904; aimed to illustrate the exploitation of labor in America.
Sinclair's intention was to expose the poor human condition, but readers were shocked by the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
Quotes from The Jungle:
“There would be meat that had tumbled out on the floor, in the dirt and sawdust, where the workers had tramped and spit uncounted billions of consumption [tuberculosis] germs.”
The imagery used depicted horrific conditions, which facilitated an increased public outcry.
Roosevelt's Response
Roosevelt, upon reading The Jungle, felt nauseated and invited Sinclair to the White House.
He promised to address the issues raised by Sinclair, stating that he would eradicate evils revealed if proven true.
Roosevelt's Ascension to Presidency
Background:
Roosevelt was born into wealth in 1858, overcame childhood asthma, and became a prominent political figure.
He served as New York's governor, police commissioner, and assistant secretary of the Navy.
Gained fame during the Spanish-American War as the leader of the Rough Riders.
Roosevelt became the youngest president in 1901 at age 42 after McKinley was assassinated.
The Modern Presidency
Roosevelt radically changed the role of the presidency by using media influence to advance reforms.
He referred to the presidency as a "bully pulpit" to influence public perception and motivate legislative action.
Emphasized federal government responsibility, arguing that the President should act as a steward of the people.
Quote from Roosevelt:
“It is the duty of the president to act upon the theory that he is the steward of the people, and to assume that he has the legal right to do whatever the needs of the people demand, unless the Constitution or the laws explicitly forbid him to do it.”
Federal Power and Trustbusting
Roosevelt believed modern America required a strong federal government to address complex industrial challenges.
Trusts and Antitrust Actions:
By 1900, trusts controlled about 80% of U.S. industries, including notorious ones like Standard Oil.
Roosevelt supported the enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) against harmful trusts.
Key Antitrust Actions:
In 1902, Roosevelt authorized a lawsuit against the Northern Securities Company, responsible for a railroad monopoly.
The Supreme Court dissolved the company in 1904, bolstering Roosevelt's trust-busting reputation.
The 1902 Coal Strike
Context:
In 1902, 140,000 miners in Pennsylvania struck for better wages and working conditions.
Roosevelt intervened after prolonged negotiations failed and threatened a federal takeover of the mines.
The resulting arbitration led to a 10% pay increase and a nine-hour workday for miners.
Roosevelt’s intervention established federal responsibility in labor disputes and the expectation of government involvement in strikes affecting public welfare.
Railroad Regulation
Roosevelt aimed for stronger federal regulation through landmark legislation:
Interstate Commerce Act (1887) established a commission with limited power.
Elkins Act (1903) prohibited discriminatory rebates in railroad shipping.
Hepburn Act (1906) gave the Commission authority to set maximum railroad rates and limited free passes, increasing government oversight.
Regulation and Public Health
Roosevelt promoted health and environmental policies inspired by public health concerns and economic considerations.
Following The Jungle, he established a commission to examine the meatpacking industry, resulting in:
Meat Inspection Act (1906): mandated cleanliness and federal inspection of meat processing.
Discussion of modern health concerns compared to Roosevelt's era, prioritizing public safety.
Conservation Efforts
Roosevelt emphasized conservation amidst rampant exploitation of natural resources pre-dating his presidency.
Policies:
Set aside 148 million acres as forest reserves and established national parks.
Advocated for responsible use of resources, balancing preservation and development for the public good.
Promoted the National Reclamation Act of 1902, funding irrigation projects using public land sale revenues.
Civil Rights Stance
Despite some individualized support for African Americans, Roosevelt's presidency was marked by a general indifference towards civil rights.
Notable Actions:
Appointed an African American head of the Charleston customs house despite pushback.
Dismissed an entire regiment of black soldiers without investigation in the Brownsville incident.
Symbolically invited Booker T. Washington to dinner, causing controversy within the civil rights community.
Formation of the NAACP
In reaction to the perceived indifference towards racial injustice, leaders like W. E. B. Du Bois founded the NAACP (1909) to advocate for equality.
The NAACP aimed for full racial equality, gathering momentum amid continued resistance in the larger progressive movement.
The Muckrakers: Investigative Journalists
Muckrakers were instrumental in exposing societal ills, drawing attention to issues requiring reform.
Notable Muckrakers:
Ida M. Tarbell exposed monopolistic practices of Standard Oil, which bolstered trust-busting efforts.
Lincoln Steffens revealed corruption in urban politics, highlighting voter fraud.
Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle shifted focus from labor exploitation to public health concerns, prompting significant legislative changes.
The term "muckraker" was coined by Roosevelt to describe journalists who uncovered corruption; illustrating the intersection of journalism and reform.
Conclusion
Roosevelt's presidency was characterized by groundbreaking reforms across economic, environmental, and civil rights spectrums, balancing personal convictions with broader societal changes. His actions paved the way for future governmental responsibilities in ensuring public welfare and protections.
Summary
Introduction
Roosevelt's presidency → "Square Deal" for citizens
Focus on progressive reforms
Conservation efforts → lasting impact on environment
Upton Sinclair and The Jungle
Sinclair's research (1904) → exploit. of labor in America
Intent → expose human conditions
Outcome → shock over unsanitary meatpacking
Quote → meat on floor, germs present
Roosevelt's Response
Roosevelt nauseated → invites Sinclair to WH
Promises action → address issues raised
Roosevelt's Ascension to Presidency
Born into wealth (1858) → overcame asthma
Political rise: NY governor, police commissioner, Navy sec.
Fame as Rough Riders leader (Spanish-American War)
Youngest pres. (1901, age 42) after McKinley assassination
The Modern Presidency
Radical change: media influence → reforms
Refers to presidency as "bully pulpit"
Stresses federal responsibility → steward of people
Quote → president acts as steward unless laws forbid
Federal Power and Trustbusting
Strong federal gov. → response to industrial challenges
Trusts control 80% U.S. industries (by 1900)
Supports Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)
Key action → lawsuit against Northern Securities Co. (1902)
Supreme Court → dissolved company (1904)
The 1902 Coal Strike
140k miners strike (PA) → better wages/conditions
Roosevelt intervenes → threatens federal takeover
Arbitration → 10% pay increase, 9-hour day
Establishes federal role in labor disputes
Railroad Regulation
Stronger federal regulation sought → key legislation:
Interstate Commerce Act (1887) → limited commission power
Elkins Act (1903) → prohibits discriminatory rebates
Hepburn Act (1906) → sets max rates, limits free passes
Regulation and Public Health
Health policies → inspired by public health/economic concerns
The Jungle → commission on meatpacking examination
Meat Inspection Act (1906) → federal inspection mandated
Conservation Efforts
Emphasis on conservation amid resource exploitation
Set aside 148 million acres → forest reserves/national parks
Balance preservation/development for public good
Advocates National Reclamation Act (1902) → irrigation projects
Civil Rights Stance
Indifferent towards civil rights → some individual support
Appointed African American customs house head → pushback
Dismissed black soldiers (Brownsville incident) → controversy
Invited Booker T. Washington for dinner → civil rights community backlash
Formation of the NAACP
NAACP founded (1909) by leaders like Du Bois → advocate for equality
Aimed for full racial equality amid progressive movement
The Muckrakers: Investigative Journalists
Muckrakers expose societal ills → attention to reform needs
Notable Muckrakers:
Ida M. Tarbell → Standard Oil monopolies
Lincoln Steffens → urban politics corruption
Sinclair’s The Jungle → labor exploitation → health concerns
Term "muckraker" → coined by Roosevelt
Conclusion
Roosevelt's presidency → reforms across economic/environmental/civil rights
Paved way for future governmental respons. in public welfare