Presidents of the Progressive Era

Home , Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Wilson (book), Woodrow Wilson

Name______Date______Period____ S.S. 8

Teddy Roosevelt took office in 1901 after the assassination of President William McKinley. He served the rest of McKinley’s second term and was elected on his own in 1904… Theodore Roosevelt and the “Square Deal” (1901-1909)

Trustbusting: begins to use antitrust laws to break up “bad” trusts—ones that took advantage of workers and cheated the public.

Labor Unions: first time that a President ever sided with workers in their disputes with big businesses.

Business Regulation: targeted railroads by urging Congress to outlaw rebates and giving the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) greater power to monitor railroads.

Consumers: supports Pure Food and Drug Act protecting consumers from harmful foods and medicines.

Conservation: vastly increases protection of wilderness and set aside areas for national parks.

Roosevelt did not seek a third term in 1908. Instead, he supported his friend and fellow Republican, William Howard Taft, to follow in his footsteps and continue his reform efforts. Taft won the election…

William Howard Taft (1909-1913)

Trustbusting: Continues some of Roosevelt’s policies, particularly trustbusting. More antitrust lawsuits brought by the government than during Roosevelt’s presidency.

Tax reform: Supported an income tax where the wealthy paid a higher rate than the poor or middle class.

More government regulation: More government control of railroad rates, an eight-hour day for government workers, and more laws dealing with child labor.

Although Taft continued with many of Roosevelt’s reforms, Roosevelt felt Taft wasn’t doing enough. Roosevelt wanted to run again in 1912, but Taft was running as the Republican candidate. Roosevelt ran as a member of a third party - the Progressive Party (also known as the Bull Moose Party). Roosevelt did not win the election, but he did take some votes away from Taft. This allowed the Democratic candidate - Woodrow Wilson - to win the election. Wilson had some differences with Taft and Roosevelt, but he continued to support many progressive reforms… Woodrow Wilson (1913--1921)

Banking: Federal Reserve Act was passed to give the federal government greater control over the banking system (they set interest rates and controlled the money supply).

Trustbusting: More antitrust laws were passed that banned businesses that formed trusts and monopolies.

Better enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission tightened up laws against trusts and monopolies by investigating and ordering them to stop using practices that destroyed competition. AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT: PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENTS

INTRODUCTION:

From 1901-1921, Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson served as president. They were known as “Progressive Presidents” because they all took active roles in trying to reform the many problems of American society in the early 1900s. They all believed that big business had gained too much power in the country and that the federal government needed to take a more active role in protecting the interests of average Americans.

DIRECTIONS:

You have been hired as the campaign manager for Roosevelt, Taft, or Wilson. Your job is to get him elected, or re- elected, as president. Your options are:

Roosevelt 1904: Running first time on his own, as a Republican; already served 3 ½ years of McKinley’s term. Roosevelt 1912: Running for another term as a member of the new Progressive (“Bull Moose”) party against both Taft (Republican) and Wilson (Democrat) Taft 1908: Running for first term, as a Republican. Taft 1912: Running for second term, as a Republican, against Roosevelt (Progressive) and Wilson (Democrat). Wilson 1912: Running for first term, as a Democrat, against Taft (Republican) and Roosevelt (Progressive). Wilson 1916: Running for second term, as a Democrat.

You will create an advertisement in which you will highlight – creatively and persuasively – what your candidate has done / will do to make progress for the nation. You have several choices:

• On your own or with a partner, create a COMMERCIAL expressing your candidate’s accomplishments and his promises for the next four years. Your commercial must have at least ten lines and discuss specific issues. The commercial must have visual aids or props as well as speaking. Try to “SELL” your candidate. • On your own or with a partner, create a SONG, RAP, or POEM expressing your candidate’s accomplishments and his promises for the next four years. Your song or rap must have at least ten lines with specific facts and arguments. • On your own, create a POSTER expressing your candidate’s accomplishments and his promises for the next four years. Your poster must contain specific facts and arguments as well as pictures to support your candidate.

* For whichever option you choose, you must mention – and describe in your own words – specific laws and actions that your candidate has taken or will take to improve the nation.

This assignment will be graded as a 10-point classwork assignment (Same as a double homework). You must show effort, historical accuracy, creativity, and include specific laws and vocabulary. Good luck!