Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Era Chapter 9: Section 3 Ms. Garratt
Dec 15, 2015
Colorful background
WealthyHarvard educatedActive in state politicsAsst sec of navyRough Riders in CubaParty bossesMcKinley
assassinationYoungest president at
the time (42)
Modern President
Saw presidency as a bully pulpit from which he could influence the media and shape legislation
Perceived different role of the presidency
“It is the duty of the president to act upon the theory that he is the steward of the people and …to assume that he has the legal right to do whatever the needs of the people demand, unless the Constitution or the laws explicitly forbid him to do so.”
Trustbuster
Was Teddy after all trusts?
NO. He used the 1890 Sherman Anti-trust Act to go after those trusts that hurt the public interest the most.
Those that eliminated competition
1902 Coal Strike
Used power of the president to mediate disputes.
Established new principle –right of fed’l gov to intervene when strike threatened the public welfare
Role of experts
Railroad Regulation
Interstate Commerce Act
Commission was weak
Elkins ActHepburn ActICC set maximum
ratesBoosted fed’l control
Video Segment on the Jungle
http://www.ratedesi.com/video/v/m1U0kXX0RAM/Upton-Sinclair%27s-The-Jungle
Pure Food & Drug Act
Contaminated foods & medicines could no longer be sold.
Called for truth in labeling laws
Newlands Act - Reclamation
Allowed large tracts of land to be irrigated in the SW
Let to lots of Mexican migration