the presidents of the progressive era from new york cowboy rough rider during spanish american...
TRANSCRIPT
THE PRESIDENTS OF THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
From New York Cowboy Rough Rider during
Spanish American War NY State Assemblyman Police Commissioner of
NYC Governor of NY VP for McKinley
William Howard Taft(1909 – 1913)
Never held elected office until he was President
Served as a Judge Was Governor of the
Philippines during US occupation (appointed)
Later served as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
Woodrow Wilson(1913 – 1921)
From Virginia History Professor President of
Princeton University
Governor of New Jersey
Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926)
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana Immigrant parents Age 14 painted RR cars – 50 cents/day Formed American Railway Union (1893) 1893 - Jailed for “Debs’ Revolution”; sympathy
protest of Pullman RR Strike (ignore court order) 1918(-1920) convicted under Espionage Act for
criticizing the war Ran for President of the USA 5 times for Socialist
Party 1920 Election won 3.5% of vote while in GA prison!
Campaign Ideas
Conservative“Old Guard”
- Status quo
“New Freedom”
↓ tariff
Break up monopolies
Restore competition
Banking reform
“New Nationalism”
tariff
Regulate trusts
Gov’t action to help people
women’s vote; workers comp; child labor laws
End capitalism
System too corrupt; Need new system based controlled by working class.
Popular /Electoral College Votes REPUBLICAN
3,486,333 = 8 electors
DEMOCRATIC 6,293,152 = 435 electors
BULL MOOSE 4,119,207 = 88 electors
SOCIALIST 900,369 = 0 electors
Results
Importance of the Election of 1912
Presence of “third party” effected outcome of race
TR ran the role of “spoiler” (If TR couldn’t win, neither would Taft)
Split in Republican party enabled Democratic candidate to win
Ends 16 year control of White House for Republicans
Actions on : CONSERVATION
Set up the National Parks Service
Removed 1 million acres of forest land from reserved list to allow for development
Accused of letting commercial interests exploit natural resources
His Sec. of the Interior Ballinger opened public lands in Alaska for private development
Antiquities Act of June 8, 1906 – allows President to proclaim historic landmark status to preserve areas, monuments, etc.
Made conservation a primary concern for federal government
Controversy concerning environmental programs Conservation – to
use and manage the nation’s resources WISELY
Gifford Pinchot
Preservation – to leave the resources in the natural state; let nature take its course
John Muir (founder of the Sierra Club)
Actions on: Labor
In response to The Jungle, set up commission to investigate meatpacking industry
Pushed for the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act
Keating Owen Act – child labor laws
Safety Standards for maritime workers
8 hour day for Interstate railroad workers
Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act; ultimately raised the tariff
Actions on: Discrimination Women gained the right
to vote with the passage of the 19th amendment
Retreated on Civil Rights Opposed federal
anti-lynching laws Segregated federal
offices and Capitol
Did little to advance Civil Rights and equality
Established idea that Federal Government is responsible for “well-being” of the nation
Failed to support Civil Rights reforms
Did appoint African Americans to federal offices
Invited Booker T. Washington to the White House for dinner
Actions on: Trusts More
conservative approach to reform, BUT…Actually broke up more trusts than TR did
Promised a “New Freedom” which would limit big business and big government, bring reform by ending corruption and revive competition by supporting small business
Promised a “New Nationalism” and “Square Deal” for Americans with more government regulation of business & unions