The Politics of the
Progressive Era
United States History II
Consider the Following Questions
• Who should have access to the American
dream?
• Do we have a responsibility to help others?
• Is it better to work together or alone?
• Should government play an active role in
how business is conducted in the United
States?
Theodore Roosevelt’s
Square Deal
Roosevelt’s Views
• Succeeds W. McKinley. Reelected in 1904.
• Strong Leadership
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Morally bound to the people
Focus attention on the nation’s problems
Win support for Progressive solutions
Stewardship Theory: “Steward” of the people
• “Square Deal”; Government should…
– Assure honesty and fairness in government and business
– Give greater economic opportunity to the individual
• Support Progressive Reforms
• Settle Labor Disputes
• Protect Consumers
– Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
– Meat Inspection Act (1906)
William Howard Taft
• Elected: 1908 (T. Roosevelt’s hand-picked successor)
• Closely identified with T. Roosevelt’s policies
– Assurance given that Roosevelt’s policies would continue
– However…
• Taft: More conservative than Roosevelt
– Believed Congress should lead reform movement
– Refused to exert executive authority towards reform
• Cabinet filled with conservative Republicans
– Minimal government intervention in business
– Few, if any, social and economic reforms
– High tariffs on imported goods (divided the nation)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNn48EFgybM
William Howard Taft Continued…
• Payne-Aldrich Act: 1909
– Both increased, and decreased, tariffs on imported goods
– Designed to protect American businesses and raise
revenue for American government
– Taft defended the tariff vehemently
• “Dollar Diplomacy”
– Expansionist ideology regarding U.S. investment overseas
• China
• Nicaruaga
• Past To Present Connection
– 1910: Tariff revenue ($233 million; 34% of budget)
– 2010: $25 billion (1.2% of budget)
William Howard Taft Concluded…
• Considerable controversy over Taft presidency
– Not progressive enough
– Too conservative
• 1912: Taft loses reelection bid
– “…the most decisively defeated president of the
twentieth century.” (www.270towin.com) (1912)
Election of 1912 (www.270towin.com)
Thomas Woodrow Wilson
• Background
– Raised in the South during Civil War and
Reconstruction
– Professor of Political Science at Princeton
– Governor of New Jersey (Well known Progressive)
• Characteristics:
– Intellectual, reasonable, logical
– High morals and idealist
– Effective orator
“A Scholar in Politics”
• Election of 1912:
– Results (see www.270towin.com) (1912)
• 1912: Wilson’s Presidential Campaign
– “New Freedom”
– Goal: to preserve and strengthen our democratic and
capitalist society using progressive reforms
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Lower tariffs
Improved banking system
Stronger regulation of business
Protection of labor unions and workers
Wilson’s Progressive Reforms
• Underwood-Simmons Tariff: 1913
– Lowered tariffs to introduce real competition in the American
marketplace
– 40% > 25%
• 16th Amendment (Income Tax)
– 1% tax on $4,000 +
– 6% tax on $500,000
• Child Labor Laws (Child Labor Act: 1916)
– Prohibited the shipment of products produced by children
across state lines
– Declared unconstitutional in 1918.
• 19th Amendment (Women’s Suffrage): 1920
– Contributions made by women during World War I convince
many members of Congress and President Wilson