AP US History Spring 2009
Mar 27, 2015
AP US HistorySpring 2009
TR’s Introduction Long record of
public service + war hero =
McKinley picks TR as his running mate for his 2nd term in office
Assassination makes TR president
TR and the “Bully Pulpit” Command
attention Persuasion Lead Congress
TR and the Trusts: Regulation to Avert Socialism
Sherman Anti-Trust Law (1890) 1897-1904: 4227 Companies
combined to form 257 corporations
US Steel = Carnegie + 8 major competitors (2/3 of the market)
TR’s Position: “Good Trusts v. Bad Trusts”
TR’s “Good Trusts v. Bad Trusts”
TR as “Trust Buster” US v. Northern Securities (1904):
precedent setting; first successful prosecution of big business under Sherman Act
led to other actions taken against Std Oil and the ATC
Strengthened the ICC through the Elkins and Hepburn Acts (1903 and 1906)
Intervened in Coal Strike of 1902: also a precedent
TR’s Square Deal for Consumers
“Square Deal” was campaign slogan for 1904
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
1904 Presidential Election Results
TR’s and Conservation: His most important Domestic
Legacy?
TR an Avid sportsman and naturalist
Natural Environment not Inexhaustible
TR sets aside 150 million acres
Convened Governor’s Conference on conservation in 1908
TR’s Conservation Record
51 Federal Bird Reservations 4 National Game Preserves 5 National Parks 18 National Monuments 24 Reclaimation Projects 7 Conservation Conferences and
Commissions
Panama Canal "No single great
material work which remains to be undertaken on this continent, is as of such consequence to the American people."
--Roosevelt
Panama Canal US Motives? Travel and Trade 1902, US bought rights to land
from French for $40 million Columbia and US fight for Panama,
US gets it and Panama is declared an independent country in 1903
As usual, the US took on a “parent role” over Panama and construction for the canal begun
Opened in 1914
Election of 1908
Roosevelt pledged not to seek a 3rd term,
“My Policies” wanted successor to continue Chose Sec. of War, William Howard
Taft Dems choose Bryan (again!) Socialist party nominates Eugene
V. Debs
Election of 1908
Debs in 1918Taft
Bryan
Election of 1908 Campaign was dull— Taft’s strategy was to associate
himself w/ Roosevelt Bryan’s strategy: “TR stole my
policies!” Deb’s strategy: “Workers unite!” Results: Taft, 321 EV (7678908);
Bryan, 162 EV (6409104); Debs (420793)
1908 Presidential Election Results
Roosevelt’s Legacy?
Curbed Capitalism enough
Created the “Modern Presidency”
Opened America’s Eyes to the World
Taft in Office: The Man
Real desire was NOT President, but as a Supreme Court Justice
More conservative than Progressive
Poor judge of public opinion Chronic victim of “foot in the
mouth disease”
Taft’s New Tub (after he got stuck). For reference, look at the little boy in background
as a reference to scale.
Taft’s Policies and Problems
The Tariff Republican Platform called
for “revision,” Taft came out for reducing the tariff
Calls special session of Congress (3/09)
Taft Signs it, then went on tour to defend it
Taft’s Policies and Problems
Conservation Woes Secretary of the Interior
Ballinger v. Gifford Pinchot Taft backs Ballinger, against
public opinion
Pinchot v. Ballinger
Taft’s Policies and Problems Liberal Republicans Rebel
Successful effort with Democrats to break Speaker Joseph Cannon in the House
Elkins Act (1910) passed, strengthens the ICC
TR returns from Africa– what?!? Congressional Elections:
228 (D) to 161 (R)- House 51 (D) to 41 (D)- Senate
TR in Africa
Election of 1912 Republican Party
Splits! Roosevelt mad
at Taft Taft fights
back! Taft wins
nomination at the national convention
Election of 1912 Democrats choose
Woodrow Wilson President of
Princeton University
Has a PHd Former
Governor of NJ Won the
Convention with Bryan’s support
Election of 1912 Roosevelt Loses
Rep. nomination to Taft
TR “steals” the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party nomination
and splits the Republican vote!
1912 Election Results
Election of 1912
Wilson: 435 (6,293, 454) Roosevelt: 88 (4,119,
538) Taft: 8 (3,484, 980) Debs: 0 (900, 672)