The Progressive Presidents

1
The Progressive Presidents

• Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson

2
Theodore Roosevelt

• Weak child, overcame weaknesses
• Wealthy family, Harvard cowboy
• Used media well in NY politics
• Wife, mother died on same day
• Wanted American Imperialism, White mans burden

3
Young Teedy Roosevelt
4
Roosevelt (cont.)

• USS Maine explodes in Cuba
• Begins Spanish-American War
• Made Rough Riders to attack Spain
• Famous San Juan Hill chargehero
• Made governor of NY, VP
• McKinley assassination makes him president (new,
  active man)
• Protects natural resources

5
Rough Rider
6
Roosevelt (cont.)

• Speak softly and carry a big stick
• Used Panama revolution to build and control
  canal under Monroe Doctrine.
• Broke monopolies when abusiveie. railroads but
  not steel.
• Supported unions if honest.
• Feared socialism, re-elected to Bully Pulpit.

7
William Howard Taft
8
Roosevelt

• Chose P.R. nightmare, tariff problem- plagued
  Taft as successor, regretted it.
• Taft alienated Progressives/T.R.
• 1912T.R. ran against Taft as Progressive Bull
  Moose Party (shot, finishes speech)
• Taft and Roosevelt defeated by democrat Woodrow
  Wilson.

9
1912 Election Results

• Woodrow Wilson (435)
• Teddy Roosevelt (88)
• William Howard Taft (8)
• Eugene Debs (0)
• Socialist Party6 of vote
• Runs for pres. from prison in 1920

10
Woodrow Wilson

• Wilson continues progressive reforms
• Creates Federal Reserve and Federal Trade
  Commission to manage finance.
• Direct federal income tax created.
• Major racist, expels all African Americans from
  government positions.
• Reelected 1916 under slogan He kept us out of
  war.

11
Woodrow Wilson