Progressive PresidentsCHAPTER 8 SECTION 4

1912 – progressive reformers created own political party

Ideas caught the attention of American voters and politicians.

Taft’s Presidency

1904 – TR announced he would not seek another term. (day after election)

1908 – Roosevelt handpicked , Secretary of War, William Howard Taft to be Republican nominee.

William Jennings Bryan tried for a third and final time for the democrats.

Taft pledged to carry on TR’s progressivism. Pursued 90 anti-trust cases but gave in to

republican “old guard” resisted many progressive programs.

Tariff reduction compromised – caused a faction of progressives to develop within republican party who disliked Taft.

The Ballinger-Pinchot Affair

Taft ignored conservationists – people concerned with care and protection of natural resources

Richard Ballinger, Taft’s Sec. Of Interior, allowed private group of business men to obtain millions of acres of Alaskan Public lands containing rich coal deposits.

Gifford Pinchot, TR appointee to head forest service felt Ballinger had shown preference to group and complained to Congressional Committee.

Taft fired Pinchot! Upset progressive faction joined democrats

– voted to investigate Ballinger. Ballinger resigned. House Rules Committee- run by “Old

Guard” had been able to block reform legislation.

1910, amended rules committee would be appointed by House (not Speaker) and the Speaker could not serve on committee – blocked powerful Speaker, Joseph Cannon

The Midterm Elections of 1910

TR began speaking in support of progressive candidates in 1910 midterm elections.

TR called for more federal regulation of business, welfare legislation, progressive reform, stronger workplace protections for women and children, income and inheritance taxes, direct primaries, initiative, referendum, and recall.

TR called this New Nationalism.

Republicans lost seats – Progressives dominated Senate

1912 TR announced opposition to Taft for republican nomination.

The Election of 1912

Taft controlled party machines and won nomination.

Progressives marched out and formed own party with Roosevelt as candidate.

TR stated, “I feel fit as a Bull Moose!” = Progressive Party nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party”

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The Bull Moose Party

Platform tariff reduction, women’s suffrage, more regulation of business, end to child labor, 8 hour work day, federal workers compensation system, popular election of Senators.

Women joined and ran in states that had suffrage.

TR shot during speech in Milwaukee – continued to speak for 1 ½ hours before receiving medical assistance “It takes more than this to kill a bull moose.”

A Four-Way Election

Taft, Republican Roosevelt, Bull Moose Progressives Eugene Debs, labor, Socialist Woodrow Wilson, Governor of NJ, Democrat –

reform platform- criticized big business and big government

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William H. Taft – Republican PartyTheodore Roosevelt – Bull Moose Party

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Eugene Debs – Socialist Party Woodrow Wilson – Democratic Party

New Freedom Policy – promised to enforce anti-trust laws without threatening free economic competition

Wilson won with 42% of popular vote – republican vote split

Democrats took control of both houses of Congress.

Wilson’s Policies as President

Wilson’s reputation as a reformer – life now so complex government had to “step in and create new conditions”

1914 Clayton Anti-Trust Act – to strengthen Sherman – spelled out specific activities big business could not do.

Could not use contracts to prevent buyers from purchasing goods form competitors.

Members of unions could not be “held or construed to be illegal combinations in restraint of trade under anti-trust laws”.

Strikes, peaceful picketing and boycotts were legal.

Courts could not issue injunctions unless “irreparable injury to property” occurred.

Government now committed to regulating business.

Wilson and Congress created Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1914 – set up fair trade laws and enforce anti-trust laws – issue “cease and desist orders” for unfair business practices.

The Federal Reserve System

1913 established Federal Reserve System – recognized federal banking system.

Created 8 to 12 Federal Reserve Banks throughout the country.

All national banks were required to become members.

Member banks stored some capital and cash reserves at district reserve.

All Reserves Supervised by Bd. Appointed by the President.

Reserves allowed member banks to borrow money for short-term demands – helped during economic panic

New System of Currency – Federal Reserve Notes – allowed Federal Reserve to expand/contract amount of money in circulation according to business need

1916 Federal Farm Loan Board – made loans to farmers – borrow for 5-40 years at rates lower than commercial banks

Allowed cabinet officers to extend Jim Crow practice of separating races in federal offices. (begun under Taft)

Opposed Amendment for Women’s Sufferage – party platform had not endorsed it

Brandeis appointed to Supreme Court. 1916 Wilson nominated progressive lawyer

Louis Brandeis to Supreme Court.

Louis Brandeis

Brandeis from Louisville, Kentucky “The People’s Lawyer”

He had supported/advised Wilson during 1912 campaign

opponents said too radical first Jewish Supreme Court nominee served until 1939 marked the peak of progressive reform

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Wilson Wins Second Term

1916 Wilson ran again – progressivism had lost some appeal

TR endorsed Republican, Charles Evan Hughes, former Governor of NY and Supreme Court Justice – campaign dominated by war in Europe

Wilson won a narrow victory promising to keep us out of war.

The Limits of Progressivism

Progressives focused on problems of cities – did not address plight to tenents/migrant farmers/nonunionized workers

Some supported immigration restrictions and literacy tests.

Supported government imperialistic policies abroad “civilizing” of underdeveloped nations.

African Americans felt ignored by progressives. Only a tiny group of progressives that helped found the NAACP were concerned about race relations. 1912 progressive party convention TR refused to seat African American delegates from south to avoid alienating Southern Supporters. Some southern white progressives supported women’s vote to double white vote.

End of Progressivism

1914 war broke out in Europe – calls to prepare for war drowned out calls for reform

1916 reform spirit gone – drive for women suffrage remained