TR & The Square Deal Wilson & New Freedom

1. TR & The Square DealWilson & New Freedom TR 1901-1909 Taft 1909-1913 Wilson 1913-1921

2. TR & the Bully Pulpit • Used power of presidency like no president since Lincoln • TR loved to lead and fight those he felt were not acting in America’s best interest • 3 Major Goals Called 3 C’s Control of Corporations Consumer Protection Conservation of Natural Resources

3. Coal Strike of 1902 • Workers sought 20% increase in pay and decreased working hours • Owners refused to deal with union • TR called owners and head of union to the White House and threatened to use army troops to keep mine open • Owners backed down and TR appointed an arbitration commission to rule on disputes • Ruling gave miners 10% increase in pay and a 9 hour working day • TR credited for ending the strike

4. TR and Corporations • Trust increased during the 1890s and into the 20th century • Using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, TR prevented the creation of monopolies by making it illegal to establish trusts that interfered with free trade

5. TR and Corporation • Roosevelt was not anti-business. • He regarded large scale enterprise as a natural result of modern industrialism. • Only firms that abused power deserved punishment. • TR simply wanted to prove that government, not business rule the country.

6. TR and Corporations • In 1903, TR est. the Bureau of Corporations empowered to investigate business practices • Northern Securities Case – TR used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to attack a railroad monopoly. The Supreme Court ordered the company to dissolve the monopoly. • Added Depts. of Labor and Commerce to the Cabinet. • Pushed through the Hepburn Act (1906) to strengthen the ICC.

7. TR and Corporations

8. TR and Consumer Protection • TR read The Jungle and vowed to make changes to the meatpacking industry • Meat Inspection Act 1906 – outlawed misleading labels and dangerous chemical preservations; agreed that the government should pay for inspection of factories • Progressives worried about all foods and drugs during this period. Alcohol, cocaine, opium, and other drugs claimed to heal everything.

9. TR and Consumer Protection • TR urged congressional approval of the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906), that forbade impure foods and required labeling of ingredients of foods and drugs

10. TR and Conservation

11. TR and Conservation • Added massive areas to the national forests (190 million acres): Considered to be the great achievement of TR • Transferred forests to the U.S. Forest Service, headed by Gifford Pinchot • Withdrew millions of acres of public land from sale to protect resources • Used public land sale revenues to build dam and canal systems (Newlands Act 1902)

12. TR – The End

13. Election of 1912 • 3 Candidates • Wilson – Democrats • Taft – Republican • T. Roosevelt – Bull Moose Party

14. Woodrow Wilson & New Freedom • Attacked the triple wall of privilege: trusts, tariffs, banks • Supported creation of Federal Trade Commission • To monitor business activities • Supported reduction in tariffs (Underwood Tariff) • Encouraged free enterprise • Initiated income taxes for individuals & businesses • Supported enactment of Federal Reserve Act • Board control interest rates (control economy during times of inflation & recession)

15. Other Progressive Reforms under Wilson • Keating-Owen Child Labor Act • Prohibited employment of children in factories under 14 (later shot down by Supreme Court) • Adamson Act • Est. 8-hour work day for RR workers & overtime pay • Federal Farm Loan Act • Provide farmers with loans with low interest rate • Small farmers given opportunity to compete with large farmers & businesses

16. Legacy of Progressivism • How did expectations of the role of government change during the Progressive Era? • How did Progressive reforms impact African Americans? • How were rights of individuals still hampered during the Progressive Era?