Roosevelt in Office

1. Roosevelt in Office

2. Roosevelt Revives The Presidency • In international affairs, Roosevelt was a Social Darwinist • Domestically, he was a Progressive • Believed the US should adopt progressive reforms in order to have a society that could successfully compete with other nations

3. Square Deal • Refers to Roosevelt’s reforms during his second term in office. • “I shall see to it that, that every man has a square deal, no less and nor more.”

4. Roosevelt Takes on Trusts • TR believed that big business was efficient, nut some were hurting public interest through their pursuit of private interest. • In 1901/1902, The Great Northern RR and N. Pacific RR joined together to create a giant holding company (Northern Securities) • Brought about by a stock battle over control of the Burlington RR Co.

5. Roosevelt Takes on Trusts • Roosevelt decided that Northern Securities was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and filed a lawsuit (Northern Securities v. The United States) • The supreme court ruled in favor of the US • Newspapers call TR a “trustbuster”, and his popularity soared

6. The Coal Strike of 1902 • Spring 1902, United Mine Workers (UMW) went on strike; demanding pay increase and hour shortage. • TR urged unions and owner to accept arbitration • The union agreed, but mine owners did not • Their stubbornness led TR to threaten to order the army to run the mines • Mine owners quickly accepted arbitration

7. The Bureau of Corporations • TR did not despise big business, but he did believe it should be regulated. • Convinced congress to create The Bureau of Corporations. • Has the authority to investigate corporations and issue reports on their findings.

8. The Bureau of Corporations • gentlemen’s agreement • These types of arrangements allowed TR to regulate big biz without having to sacrifice economic efficiency by breaking up trusts.

9. Congress Follows………….. • Congress passed: • Expedition Act: gave federal antitrust lawsuits precedence on the dockets of circuit courts. • Hepburn Act: intended to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Commission by giving it the power to set RR rates.

10. Social Welfare Action • Consumer Protection became an important issue in the early 1900s • Journalists were publishing articles exposing harmful practices by industry. • Many Americans became concerned about the food they ate • Upton Sinclair wrote “The Jungle” • Described unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry.

11. Social Welfare Action • In response, TR pushed congress to pass the Meat Inspection Act • Requires federal inspection of meat • Agricultural Dept. to set cleanliness standards in meatpacking plants • The Pure Food and Drug Act • Banned the sake of falsely labeled food & drugs

12. Conservation • TR was a strong supporter of environmental conservation • Recognized the country’s natural resources were being used up and urged people to conserve resources.

13. Land Development in the West • TR supported the Newlands Reclamation Act; allowing use of federal funds to be used to pay for irrigation and land development projects. • He also helped preserve natural resources by adding millions of acres of land as protected national forests • New national parks and wildlife reservations.

14. Roosevelt's Legacy • TR changed the role of the federal government • Increased power of the executive branch. • Implemented new departments to regulate various parts of American life. • (ex: Agricultural Dept & Bureau of Corporations)