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Theodore Roosevelt, the Modern President, was a man of action, engaging in "manly stuff" like boxing and hunting. He rose to power after McKinley's assassination, angering conservative Republicans. He prioritized the welfare of average Americans with his "Square Deal" policies, attacking big businesses and pushing for health and safety reforms. TR also expanded presidential powers and championed conservation efforts, despite a weak civil rights record. He was a powerful figure who utilized the media and made significant impacts on American politics.
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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?
