Objective: To examine the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. USHC 4.6Do Now: What are trusts, and why did many Americans dislike them?

TR Takes on the Trusts

· Roosevelt felt that the government should control or break up bad trusts.

· Northern Securities Corp. – a trust set up by JP Morgan

* Roosevelt felt that Northern Securities used unfair business practices

· 1904 – The Supreme Court ruled that Northern Securities had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by limiting trade.

Supreme Court Decision

· Northern Securities was ordered to be broken up.

* Roosevelt earned a reputation as a trustbuster.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/progress/jb_progress_monopoly_2_e.jpg

· While running for re-election, Roosevelt promised Americans a Square Deal, in which everyone would have an equal chance to succeed.

Square Deal

President Theodore Roosevelt with naturalist John Muir at Yosemite in 1903.

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir enjoying Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley, California in 1906

· Roosevelt was a dedicated conservationist and worked hard to protect the nation’s natural resources.

Protecting Natural Resources

Regulating RailroadsYEAR LAW PURPOSE

Legislation Under Theodore Roosevelt

1903

1906

Elkin’s Act outlawed rebates

Hepburn Act gave the ICC more power to set railroad rates

This cartoon depicts President Theodore Roosevelt’s attempt to win the battle over the Hepburn Act of 1906. The president appears in his Rough Rider uniform, prodding an enraged (and real) Republican Elephant to attack. The upper body of the opposing (and phony) Republican Elephant represents large railroad corporations (“trusts”). In the Senate’s visitors’ gallery, Uncle Sam watches the fight. It was Roosevelt’s regulation of the railroads that earned him the nickname, “trustbuster.”

Protecting Consumers

Protecting Consumers

YEAR LAW PURPOSE

1906Meat

Inspection Act

Forced meat packers to allow more inspection of their meat

1906Pure Food

and Drug ActIngredients were required on all food and drug items