The Presidency of Taft

Question 1

Which years was Taft president?

Answer 1

1909 - 1912

Question 2

What did Taft achieve?/ how was Taft a good president?

Answer 2

• Continued Roosevelt’s anti-trust policies
• his administration initiated 80 anti-trust suits under the Sherman Anti-trust Act –> twice as many as Roosevelt
• Introduced 8 hour day for government employees as well as mine safety legislation
• gave power to the Interstate Commision to set railroad rates + introduced federal income tax and corporation tax
• brought in direct election of senators

Question 3

In what ways was Taft a bad president?

Answer 3

• lacked the political skills of Roosevelt and failed to handle the Progressive conservative divisions
• Sacked Gifford Pinchot, the great conservationist who had originally been appointed by Roosevelt –> earnt opposition from many progressives
• Payne-Aldrich Act to lower tariffs did little –> most progressives expected Taft to veto the bill he signed it into law and publicly defended it

Question 4

What did Roosevelt to in response to Taft ?

Answer 4

• felt that Republican Party no longer represented wishes of the people so in 1912 left to form a new party –> progressives
• republican split weakened party and contributed to the defeat in 1912