Ch. 15 sec. 2

1. Ch. 15 sec. 2 Roosevelt and Taft

2. Roosevelt Revives the Presidency • Roosevelt was a Social Darwinist, believed U.S. was in competition with other Nations, and only the strongest will survive • Roosevelt, also a Progressive, Gov’t should actively balance needs of competing groups in American Society • Square Deal: Roosevelt's reforms, which equalized business, trying to make everyone equal and give everyone the same opportunities

3. Trust Buster • Roosevelt believed trust made businesses efficient and partly why America prospered • However he was concerned about monopoly power of some trusts which hurt public interest • His goal: ensure trust were not abusing power, “We draw the line against conduct not against wealth” • Goes after J.P. Morgan, Northern Securities railroad holding company • Roosevelt files a law suit and using the Sherman Antitrust Act, declares the company a monopoly on railroad traffic in the Northwest • Supreme Court rules that Northern Securities is a Monopoly violating the Sherman Anti Trust and breaks it up

4. Coal Strike of 1902 • Roosevelt believed he was the nations head manager, his job to keep society operating efficiently by mediating conflicts • United Mine Workers Strike, Coal prices began to rise • Roosevelt steps in, promotes Arbitration: a settlement negotiation by an outside party • By stepping in Roosevelt took the 1st step in establishing a federal Gov’t as an honest broker between powerful groups and society

5. Regulating Big Business • Roosevelt still believed in trusts and business, but wanted to stop big businesses from abusing its power • 1903, Roosevelt convinces congress to create Department of Commerce and Labor • Several big businesses wanted to avoid law suits made Gentlemen's deals with Roosevelt to reorganize company and correct any areas of misconduct • These arrangements gave Roosevelt the ability to regulate big business without sacrificing economic efficiency, by breaking up trust • Hepburn Act: strengths Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad prices, over time ICC set prices that ensured railroads made a profit

6. The Sinclair contribution

7. The Jungle • In 1904 Sinclair spent seven weeks in disguise, working undercover in Chicago's meatpacking plants to research his fictional exposé, The Jungle. When it appeared in 1906, it became a bestseller. • Read Pg 530 Consumer protection • What are some of the problems? • What is the results of Sinclair's book The Jungle?

8. Teddy Roosevelt’s response • There was an overwhelming response to Sinclair’s book • Many were disgusted, some protested, and some became vegetarians • Roosevelt read the book at the time and shared many of these beliefs. • Congress would passed both the Meat Inspection and Pure Food and Drug Act. (know what these are and did)

9. Conservation • Roosevelt, the rugged outdoorsmen that he was. Concerned about the nations resources being used up at an alarming rate, urged Americans to conserve those resources. • He was strongly against unregulated exploitation of public lands and believed Gov’t must “develop the country not skin the land”

10. Conservation • Read pg 532 about the Western Land Development and about Gifford Pinchot • What is the Importance of the Newlands Reclamation Act • Who is Gifford Pinchot, and what is he in charge of? How does he go about securing the conservation

11. Taft’s reforms • Roosevelt hand picks his successor, believe he was the best person to continue to carry out his plans for the country. • Read pg 533 to 535 and see what Taft does and if he lives up Roosevelt's expectations? • Know what the Children’s Bureau is.

12. How does Taft Do?