The three progressive presidents were Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt became president in 1901 after McKinley's assassination. He believed in a strong and active federal government to protect people from big business abuse. His policies included trust busting, food and drug regulation, and establishing national parks. In 1908, Roosevelt chose Taft as his successor but was disappointed in Taft's more conservative policies. This led Roosevelt to run again in 1912 as a third party candidate, splitting the Republican vote and allowing Woodrow Wilson to win the election on his platform of "New Freedom," regulating trusts more aggressively than Roosevelt's preferred approach.

1. Progressive Presidents

2. Who were the three progressive presidents?

3. Who were the three progressive presidents? Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson

4. How did Roosevelt become president in 1901? Republican President McKinley was assassinated in 1901 The VP, TR became the nation’s youngest Pres ever at 42

5. How was TR's view of the role of the president different from Presidents before him?

6. Believed in strong, active government Believed government should protect people from big business Beginning of “big government”

7. What TR mean when he said people would get a “square deal?” Government would protect people from big business

8. What labor precedent did TR set in 1902? Set up arbitration (negotiations) over a coal strike Owners refused to negotiate TR threatened to send in the Army & nationalize the mine Gov’t could intervene if a strike threatened public welfare

9. What was TR’s belief about trusts? Nicknamed “trustbuster” Some could be good Sued big businesses using the Sherman Anti-trust Act if the monopoly hurt the public

10. What was TR’s reaction to Sinclair’s The Jungle ? He was grossed out Pure Food & Drug Act required mandatory labeling Meat Inspection Act enacted food inspection More gov’t intervention in business

11. Why is TR considered the 1 st environmental president?

12. Why is TR considered the 1 st environmental president? Active in conservation Believed in preserving natural resources Established the national parks system

13. What happened in the election of 1908? Roosevelt chooses Taft as successor Taft failed to live up to TR’s expectations TR returned to run for President again in 1912

14. Who Ran in the election of 1912? Taft won the Republican nomination TR formed his own Progressive Party: “The Bull Moose” Party Wilson got the Democratic nomination

15. Compare TR’s “New Nationalism” to Woodrow Wilson’s “New Freedom.”

16. Names of the Platforms for each candidate Both were progressive Both believed govt should be more active in regulating business

17. New Nationalism (TR) Some trusts beneficial Only get rid of monopolies that hurt consumers New Freedom All trusts bad Govt should restore competition

18. What happened in the election of 1912? TR & Taft split Republican voters Democrats were united: Wilson won