Progressive Presidents Flashcards
bully pulpit
refers to a prominent platform or position from which someone can advocate for their ideas, influence public opinion, or promote policies. The phrase was popularized by Theodore Roosevelt, who used it to describe the White House as a powerful platform for advancing important causes.
Square Deal
Roosevelt’s domestic agenda, known as the Square Deal, aimed to balance the needs of business, labor, and consumers, ensuring fairness for all. This included regulating trusts, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources.
1902 Coal Strike
Roosevelt mediated a compromise between miners and mine owners to end the strike and improve wages and working conditions
Northern Securities Company
Roosevelt believed that the Northern Securities Company violated the Sherman Antitrust Act because it formed a monopoly, reducing competition in the railroad industry.
ICC, Elkins Act, Hepburn Act
Roosevelt advocated for stronger government regulation of big businesses, particularly in industries like railroads and food. He helped create the Elkins Act (1903) and Hepburn Act (1906), which strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroads and protect consumers.
Meat Inspection Act
A US law that regulates the meatpacking industry and ensures that meat is safe for consumption
Pure Food and Drug Act
A U.S. law that prohibited the sale of tainted or misbranded food and drugs in interstate commerce
How was Teddy Roosevelt involved in Civil Rights of the Progressive Era?
He failed to truly support them. However, he:
Appointed an African American head of custom house in Charleston SC
Closed a MS post office when complaints of an African American Postmistress was appointed
Invited Booker T Washington to the White House - first African American to visit
1906 Brownsville TX incident - a white bartender and cop were shot - blamed the 25th regiment of the Army (black soldiers) despite evidence - Roosevelt ordered the dishonorable discharge of 167 black soldiers - no trial and stripped them of pensions/benefits (finally pardoned in 1973 by Nixon), fueled racial tensions
Mann–Elkins Act of 1910
A federal law that gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) more authority over railroad rates and expanded its jurisdiction to include telecommunications
16th Admendment
Taft played a key role in the passage of the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave the federal government the power to directly tax citizens’ incomes
Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act of 1909
A compromise bill that raised some tariffs and lowered others on goods entering the United States
Ballinger-Pinchot Affair
A political conflict during William Howard Taft’s presidency involving Richard A. Ballinger, the Secretary of the Interior, and Gifford Pinchot, the head of the U.S. Forest Service.
Ballinger was accused of acting in favor of business interests by opening public lands in Alaska to private development, which Pinchot, a conservationist, strongly opposed.
When Pinchot publicly criticized Ballinger, Taft sided with Ballinger, leading to Pinchot’s dismissal.
Split of the Republican Party
Progressive vs. Conservative:
In 1912, the Republican Party became divided between the progressive wing (led by Roosevelt) and the conservative wing (led by Taft). Roosevelt believed Taft had moved away from progressive ideals, especially in trust-busting and conservation.
Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism”: Roosevelt’s platform, called New Nationalism, called for stronger regulation of business, social justice reforms, and a more active government. He believed in expanding federal power to achieve progressive goals.
Taft’s “Old Guard” Conservatives: Taft, supported by the conservative wing of the Republican Party, favored a more limited role for government in regulating business and was less supportive of bold reforms.
Formation of the Bull Moose Party: When Taft secured the Republican nomination for president in 1912, Roosevelt and his supporters broke away and formed the Progressive Party, often called the Bull Moose Party. This split allowed Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency.
Underwood Tariff Act
Lowered tariffs and introduced the first federal income tax.
Federal Reserve Act
Created the Federal Reserve System, a central banking system to regulate the nation’s money supply, stabilize the economy, and prevent future financial crises.
