Progressive Reformer Governor of NY in 1898 Party bosses wanted him out, so they had him elected to the vice-presidency. William McKinley was the President.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal

Theodore “Teddy” RooseveltProgressive ReformerGovernor of NY in 1898Party bosses wanted him out, so they had him elected to the vice-presidency.William McKinley was the PresidentAt the time, the VP had very little power, so there was not much Roosevelt could do to reform corrupt business

How did Teddy become president? President William McKinley was assassinated by Leon Czolgosz. Teddy now held the highest office in the landHe was a very energetic and lively person

Teddy’s style of governing Most presidents in the 1800’s were hands-offNot him…He saw the White House as a:

Bully Pulpit: a powerful platform to publicize important issues and seek support for policies.

Coal Strike in Pennsylvania (1902)150,000 coal workers went on strike for:

Higher wages, shorter hours, and recognition of their union

Roosevelt knew if this was not resolved, it would become a major issueRoosevelt wanted the strikers and mine owners to agree to arbitration

Arbitration: two opposing sides agree to allow a third party to settle a dispute.

The miners agreed to it but the coal owners did not.

Coal StrikeRoosevelt threatened the owners or he would take over their company.OUTCOME:

Miners won 10% pay increase, BUT did not have their union recognized

This was the first time that the federal government intervened on a strike to protect the rights of workers.

The Square Deal

Defined his presidencyHe promised to “see that each person is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and receive no less.” The Square Deal:

Improve working conditions Limits the power of trustsPromote public health and safety Promote conservation

Regulating Big BusinessIn business, competition is healthy. If there is competition, then companies will compete for your business They will do whatever they need to do to bring you in as a customer.

For example: Cell phone companies. Which company do you have? They will offer you the best deals in order for you to stick with them.

TycoonsA wealthy, powerful person in business or industryJ.P. Morgan, James J. Hill, and E.H. Harriman joined their railroad companies together to eliminate competitionNew Company: Northwest Securities Company

They dominated the shipping industry from Chicago to the Northwest.

Roosevelt Steps InThe federal government sued Northwest Securities for violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act Sherman Anti-Trust Act: A law that outlawed the creation of monopolies to limit free trade.Why is the board game Monopoly called monopoly??

What is the point of the game? TR filed 44 anti-trust suits

Acts to Protect Consumers…Elkins Act:

Outlawed railroads from receiving rebatesCustomers paid the same rates for shipping

Hepburn ActStrengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).Power to set maximum railroad rates.

The Jungle by Upton SinclairSinclair was a “muckraker”He wrote about the horrors that happened in the meat packing industry.

Ex: Rat feces in the meat, diseased and dead animals were processed.

When Roosevelt read this book, he was outraged and launched an investigation into this industry. Sinclair was right.

The Response to “The Jungle”

Meat Inspection ActRequired federal inspection of meat shipped across state lines

Pure Food & Drug ActForbid the use of harmful ingredients in medicine and foodRequired food and medicine to carry accurate ingredient labels

Conservation & the EnvironmentRoosevelt had a deep reverence for nature, which shaped his policies.Supported Gifford Pinchot’s philosophy on the preservation of resources.

resources should be managed and preserved for public use.

Admired John Muir, who helped establish Yosemite National Park, and who advised him to set aside millions of acres of forestland.

Land PreservationRoosevelt added 150 million acres to the National Forest System & created 5 new national parks."Leave it as it is. You can not improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it."

Managing Natural ResourcesNewlands Act of 1902

Also known as the National Reclamations ActProvided funds from the sale of public lands to be used for building & maintaining irrigation systems in the West Helped create farmlandIncreased government revenueIncreased populations in formerly arid lands