Unit 6 - B: Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive President, 1900 - 1908
Hepburn Act (1906)
Expanded the Interstate Commerce Act to not only oversee illegal activity in Railroads but also bridges, pipelines and other related industries. (Theodore Roosevelt)
T. Roosevelt's "Dollar Diplomacy"
Presidents idea to use business and not the military as a means to better relations with nations in Latin America
Why is T. Roosevelt a Progressive Pres?
1. Actually enforced "Sherman-Antitrust Act" that broke up illegal monopolies in order to support business competition. 2. Created National Parks like Yosemite for people to enjoy nature & not ruin it. 3. Put aside thousands of acres as a means for businesses to not overdevelop the land. 4. Tightened food and drug regulations to protect the public. 5. Became known as "THE TRUST BUSTER" because he broke up illegal monopolies but allowed those that were legal to REMAIN. 6. First president to listen to BOTH sides when unions were striking against business
Pres. Teddy Roosevelt (Background)
1. Although a Republican Conservative, he passed a lot of laws to help the poor. 2. Liked by most of U.S population. 3. His motto was "A Square Deal for ALL" 4. He is the first strong president since Lincoln. 5. He is a Progressive President. 6. Ex-military leader (Span.-American War)
Progressive Literature of the Era
1. Lincoln Steffens: "The Shame of Cities" 2. Ida Tarbell: "History of Standard Oil Co" 3. Upton Sinclair: "The Jungle" (Story of Unsanitary Meat Packing & Food Industry)
State Level Progressive Ideas
1. States started holding "Primary Elections" as a means for people to directly elect their party's candidate. 2. State "Initiatives": If enough people in a state sign a petition that supports an idea, they can force that state to have the people from that state vote on it to make it law. 3. State "Referendums" allowed voters in a state to accept or reject a proposal put forth for people in that given state. 4. States set up aid to mothers of dependent children.
Muckrakers
A group of journalists who wrote exposés of corporate greed and misconduct. Term coined by T. Roosevelt
The Wright Brothers (1903)
Brothers fly plane (Kitty Hawk, N. Carolina)
World Fair (1904)
Celebrated 100th Anniversary of Louisiana Purchase & invited nations to promote trade
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903)
Gave the U.S control of Panama region that would lead to building of the Panama Canal (Finished in 1914). T. Roosevelt
Pure Food & Drug Act (1906)
Made it illegal to sell food with fake labels. Label had to tell public what was in the can, box or bottle it was buying. (T. Roosevelt)
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Made sanitary laws for meat packing companies to avoid food poison.T Roosevelt
Russo-Japanese War (1904)
T. Roosevelt negotiates a peace agreement & wins the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize.
Roosevelt Corollary "Big Stick Diplomacy"
T. Roosevelt's foreign policy in Latin America that kept European nations from using military force to do business and collect debts in this region. Used a lot.