Federal Progressivism and Theodore Roosevelt
Essential Question
- What is the government’s role in solving society’s problems
Roosevelt’s Rise to the Presidency
- Roosevelt served 3 terms in the new york state assembly and then became the new york city police commissioner
- Served as assistant secretary of the US Navy and volunteered for service during the Spanish American War
- Became governor of New York and then elected Vice President of the US
- After President McKinley was assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt became the President
A MODERN PRESIDENCY
- Presidency as a “bully pulpit” - influenced news media and shaped legislation
- A Square Deal - large sponsor of progressive reforms during the 1900s
- Which reflected his three major goals : conservation of natural resources,, control of corporations and consumer protections.
TRUST BUSTING
- By 1900, trusts (big businesses) controlled ⅘ of the industries in the US
- Theodore Roosevelt did not believe all trusts were harmful, but he did seek to curb the actions of those that hurt public interest.
1902 COAL STRIKE
- 140000 miners strike in Pennsylvania to demand a 20% raise and a 9 hour workday
- Also requested the right to unionize
- 5 months in, Theodore Roosevelt threatens to take over the mines from mine operators who refused to bargain
- Forced opposing sides to submit differences to an arbitration commission that resulted in a 10% pay hike and a 9 hour workday
- Impact? If a strike threatened public welfare, the federal government has the right to intervene
REGULATING FOOD AND DRUGS
- _The Jungle _by Upton Sinclair - prompts Roosevelt to appoint a commission to investigate meat packing industry
- Meat inspection act ( 1906 ) - dictated cleanliness requirements for meatpackers and creates a program of federal meat inspection
- Pure Food and Drug Act - halted sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling
CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
- By late 19th century - government stood by while private interests take shrinking wilderness
- John Muir, naturalist and writer, persuaded Roosevelt to set aside 1.5 million acres of water-power sites and 80 million acres of land set aside to explore for mineral and water resources
- Roosevelt established 50 wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and monuments
- 1905 - Roosevelt names Gifford Pinchot as head of the US Forest Service