The Presidency of Taft 1909-1912

Question 1

Anti trust policies

Answer 1

Taft’s administration initiated 80 anti-trust suits under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, twice as any as Roosevelt

Question 2

Social poicies

Answer 2

He introduced an eight-hour day for government employees and mine safety legislation

Question 3

Fiscal policies

Answer 3

He gave power to the Interstate Commission to set railroad rates, introduced a federal income tax and corporation tax

Question 4

Positive impact of Taft’s fiscal policies

Answer 4

Covering increased government spending and brought in the direct election of senators by the people rather than being appointed b state legislatures.

Question 5

Taft’s relation with Congress

Answer 5

He respected the rights of Congress to oppose his ideas and was determined to act within the limits of the Constitution.

Question 6

Limitations of Taft

Answer 6

He lacked the political skills of his predecessor and failed to handle the Progressive-conservative divisions among Republicans.

Question 7

Tariff reform

• Taft’s alignment

Answer 7

Taft seemed to increasingly align himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party particularly over the issue of tariff reform

Question 8

Congress debate on tariff 1909

Answer 8

In 1909, Taft’s convened a special session of Congress to debate tariff reform legislation, which spurred the Republican protectionist majority to action

Question 9

The Payne-Aldrich Act 1909

Answer 9

It was a product of the Congress debate of 1909, which did little to lower tariffs

Question 10

What was Taft’s stance on the Payne-Aldrich Act 1909

Answer 10

Many progressive Republicans, such as Roosevelt expected Taft to veto the bill, he signed it into law and publicly defended it