120 likes | 203 Views
9.3 TR the Progressive. The Modern President. TR was into “manly stuff” like boxing, horseback riding, hunting, etc. Volunteered in the Spanish-American War, became gov. of New York, then VP in 1900 When McKinley was assasinated in 1901, TR became president
E N D
The Modern President • TR was into “manly stuff” like boxing, horseback riding, hunting, etc. • Volunteered in the Spanish-American War, became gov. of New York, then VP in 1900 • When McKinley was assasinated in 1901, TR became president • Many conservative Republicans were furious, didn’t like TR
The Modern President • TR was the first to really engage the news media to keep his message heard • From his “bully pulpit” he had the world’s attention to present his arguments • Like our modern politicians with Twitter, etc. • His overall message was called the “Square Deal,” in which he would help protect average Americans, rather than the big businesses.
The Modern President • By turning national attention on himself, he became the first president since Lincoln that was more powerful than Congress. • He also expanded presidential powers • The Constitution’s list of presidential powers is vague, he “interpreted” them to be strong
TR Attacks Big Businesses • Remember the monopolies & trusts from Ch 6? • Roosevelt began using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to actually go after trusts • The first big one to fall was the Northern Securities Co., a railroad monopoly • The ICC gained the ability to actually regulate RR companies with the Elkins and Hepburn Acts • No more rebates, kickbacks, and free passes for the rich!
TR Attacks Big Businesses • In the 1902 coal strike, TR forced both sides to compromise • Workers received higher pay and shorter hours, companies won the right to hire non-union workers • TR created a new expectation that the President was expected to get involved with labor disagreements when the nation would be impacted.
TR’s Health and Safety Reforms • 1906 Meat Inspection Act was created as a response to The Jungle • Another example of TR expanding people’s expectation of what their govt. should be involved with
TR’s Health and Safety Reforms • Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) tried to stop false advertising of drugs, etc. • Labels requirements still expected consumers to read them and make an informed decision
TR and Conservation • As an avid outdoorsman, TR wanted to protect some land from being “developed” • He expanded the National Park system • He also claimed large chunks of land for the govt. to protectfor later use • Made sure that water resources in western states would be used responsibly
TR and Civil Rights • TR’s progressive record with civil rights is fairly weak • Why is it significant that Booker T. Washington was invited to dinner at the White House, and not someone else instead?