Self-Guided Notes_ Progressive Era Presidents

Progressive Presidents Overview

Introduction

  • Focus on key progressive presidents of the early 20th century: Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, and Woodrow Wilson.

Theodore Roosevelt

  • Presidency Years: 1901-1909 (26th President)

Early Life and Career

  • Born in New York, suffered from severe asthma during childhood.

  • Entered New York state government before moving west after family tragedies (death of mother and wife).

  • Returned to New York in 1889, became NYC police commissioner and later Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

  • Gained fame as a leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.

  • Became Vice President under McKinley, ascended to presidency following McKinley’s assassination.

Major Policies and Achievements

  • Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): First federal legislation aiming to limit monopolies.

    • Illegal to fix prices or limit competition; initially used against labor unions until Roosevelt's presidency.

  • Square Deal: Domestic policy focused on three pillars:

    1. Protection of the consumer.

    2. Control of large corporations.

    3. Conservation of natural resources.

  • Intervened in labor disputes, including a significant role in the 1902 Coal Strike, negotiating to end the strike.

Environmental Protection

  • Protected over 100 million acres of land for national parks but was also controversial for not preserving all forests due to resource needs.

Foreign Policy

  • Roosevelt Corollary: U.S. policy to prevent outside intervention in Latin America; known for the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick."

  • Facilitated Panama’s independence for the purpose of building the Panama Canal, enhancing U.S. strategic and commercial interests.

William H. Taft

  • Presidency Years: 1909-1913 (27th President)

Transition from Roosevelt

  • Taft aimed to continue Roosevelt's policies but adopted his own agenda.

    • Failed to lower tariffs as Roosevelt desired.

    • Passed the Mann-Elkins Act, increasing governmental control over rates for telephone and telegraph.

    • Relaxed the Sherman Antitrust Act under the

Theodore Roosevelt

  • 26th President (1901-1909) known for his vigorous domestic and foreign policies.

  • Implemented the Square Deal focusing on consumer protection, corporate regulation, and natural resource conservation.

  • Enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act to limit monopolies and intervened in major labor disputes like the 1902 Coal Strike.

  • Championed environmental protection by establishing national parks and the Roosevelt Corollary to maintain U.S. influence in Latin America.

William H. Taft

  • 27th President (1909-1913), sought to continue Roosevelt's progressive agenda but faced challenges.

  • Passed the Mann-Elkins Act, enhancing government oversight on communications industries.

  • Undertook legal actions against monopolies but less aggressively than Roosevelt; aimed for tariff reform but faced resistance.

  • His presidency experienced rifts with the progressive wing of the Republican Party, leading to a split in the 1912 election.