Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt's Presidency Flashcards
1
Q
Theodore Roosevelt’s Historiography
A
- Became president after McKinley’s assassination in 1901
- Some historians see him as a reactionary who supported reforms in order to prevent revolution
- Others believe he gave much publicity and impetus to the Progressive movement
- He felt that the federal gov had a role in the economy and should intervene when necessary
- Criticised by liberals for being too cautious and by many in his party for being too radical
2
Q
Theodore Roosevelt’s Anti-Trust Laws
A
- In his first State of the Union Address to Congress, made it clear he was going to take on big business
- Determined to make the Sherman Anti-Trust Act more effective
- 1902: Roosevelt instructed his attorney-general to start proceedings against the Northern Securities Company, controlled many railroads in the north-east
- Involved taking on powerful business, e.g. J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, used company monopoly to create excess profits
- 1904: Supreme Court decided that the Company was illegal, it was dissolved
- Encouraged Roosevelt to embark on 44 anti-trust prosecutions including American Tobacco and Standard Oil
3
Q
Theodore Roosevelt’s Labour Relations
(The 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike)
A
- Employers locked out miners who went on strike for better wages and an 8-hour day
- Roosevelt called both sides to Washington, told employers that unless they agreed to arbitration he would send troops to work the mines
- Employers settled, rising wages, offered 9-hour work day
- Previously presidents usually took the side of the employers
-Roosevelt ensured fairness, made him popular with the working classes - Employers hadn’t conceded much, simply raised prices to cover pay rise
4
Q
Theodore Roosevelt & National Conservation
A
- Roosevelt was possibly the first president to realise that natural resources were not infinite
- 1908: organised the National Conservation Conference, led to many states creating commissions to look after the environment
- Also extended federal gov role in food consumption
- Roosevelt had read Upton Sinclair’s ‘The Jungle’, resulting in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act (1908)
- He also introduced the Pure Drug and Food Act, started process of ending food adulteration
5
Q
Theodore Roosevelt’s Achievements
A
- 1905-1909: Some 120 million acres were taken into public domain
- In his final State of the Union message, laid down an agenda his successors should put into practice
- Seemed to show a genuine concern for the underdog
- Brought the presidential office of the USA firmly into the arena of economic and social reform
- Roosevelt was unable to persuade Congress to pass more in the way of the Progressive reform
