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Strong as a bull moose. America Becomes a World Power. Strong as a Bull Moose. Roosevelt chooses not to seek re-election after his second term Roosevelt convinces the Republican party to nominate William Howard Taft
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Strong as a bull moose America Becomes a World Power
Strong as a Bull Moose • Roosevelt chooses not to seek re-election after his second term • Roosevelt convinces the Republican party to nominate William Howard Taft • Why did Roosevelt have the option to seek election to a third term as president?
Taft’s Achievements • Taft takes office in 1909 • He has a difficult time dealing with Congress to get his agenda passed • Orders the breakup of Standard Oil • Demands restructuring of American Tobacco Company • Passes 16th Amendment (progressive income tax) • Reformers were not sure whether the average worker should pay or just the wealthy
Taft’s Achievements (con’t.) • Department of Labor (1913) • Department of Commerce (1913) • Communications companies under government control (FCC) • Campaign donations had to be made publicly • At times, Taft was accused of trying to undue Roosevelts conservation plans
Election of 1912 • Progressives did not feel that Taft supported reform • Roosevelt wants to run against Taft in 1912, but the Republican party nominates Taft • Roosevelt organizes a new political party, the Progressive Party (nicknamed Bull Moose because Roosevelt makes the statement: “I feel as strong as a bull moose!”)
Election of 1912 (con’t.) • Democratic Party nominates Woodrow Wilson • Wilson’s reform plan is called “New Freedom” • Rid country of all forms of trust companies • Wanted small companies to be able to compete • Roosevelts plan is called “New Nationalism” • Federal government should regulate big business • Government should limit workday hours • Government should set a minimim wage • Children, women, and injured required special protection by law • Expanded conservation • Women’s suffrage
Election of 1912 (con’t.) • Taft and Roosevelt split the Progressive vote • Republican Widrow Wilson wins easily