Taft and Wilson Notes

• Who was Roosevelt's successor as President? Who did he defeat in the Election of 1908?

  William Howard Taft. Elected in 1908 over William "WJ" Jennings Bryan
• Why did Taft start to anger the Progressives who had supported him?

  Called on Congress to lower tariff - House passed some reductions but increased tariff after all. Progressives are anti-tariff. He signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff.
• Who did he appoint to a cabinet position that also earned him the ire of the Progressives? Why were they upset with this choice?

  Richard Ballinger as Secretary of Interior. Ballinger is very pro business and opposed conservation in favor of it.
• What happens to the Republican party? Who do the Progressives begin to support?

  Taft's moves split the Republican party - Progressives side with Democrats to attack "old guard."
• Who was the "Old Guard?" What did they do?

  Controlled Rule Committee and blocked Progressive legislation. Appointed by Speaker - Old Guard Republican Joseph Cannon.
• How did Roosevelt react to Taft's presidency? What did he decide to do?

  Began criticizing Taft and began campaigning for Progressives.
• What were the features of Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" platform?

  He sought to capture the Republican party in 1912. His platform called for regulation of businesses, welfare laws, regulation of child/women's labor, income and inheritance taxes, as well as voting reforms.
• Who won the Republican nomination in 1912? What did Roosevelt decide to do?

  Taft won the Republican nomination. Roosevelt and the Progressives broke off and created the "Bull Moose Party."
• What was the platform for the "Bull Moose Party?"

  Tariff reduction, women's suffrage, regulation, end child labor, 8-hour workday, workers comp. for federal workers, and direct election of Senators.
• Overall, what was Taft's record as a Progressive during his time as President?

  He brought 90 anti-trust suits, supported the Children's Bureau, and introduced and signed the 16th and 17th amendments.
• Who was the Democratic candidate for President in 1912? What was his platform known as? What did it call for?

  Woodrow Wilson was the Democratic candidate for 1912. His platform was known as "New Freedom," which was a 'middle of the road' kind of platform. He promised to enforce anti-trust laws, but simultaneously protect businesses.
• Who was the other candidate who ran in 1912?

  Eugene Debs, who was a Socialist candidate.
• What were the results of the Election of 1912? What accounts for this?

  Wilson won the Election of 1912. This is primarily due to the fact that there were two Republican candidates--Taft and Roosevelt--meaning the two Republicans split the votes for those following that party, whereas Wilson got all of the votes for Democrats.
• What was Wilson's first major accomplishment as President?

  His first major accomplishment was the Underwood Tariff Act of 1913 - reduced tariff rates by 25-40%.
• Why was the Clayton Anti-Trust Act a victory for unions?

  More specific than the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 - it prevented courts from treating unions as business trusts.
• What was the role of the Federal Trade Commission?


  They were known as the "Business Police." They had authority to order business to stop unfair activities.
• Why was the Federal Reserve System created?

  It was created under Wilson. There were 12 Federal Reserve Banks. They lent money to banks and helped to prevent bank failures. This also brought new Federal Reserve notes.
• Who was Louis Brandeis?


  Progressive attorney who fought for "common folk" - appointed to the Supreme Court by Wilson and was the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice.
• What was the major reason Wilson was re-elected in 1916?

  He was re-elected for keeping the United States out of World War I.
• What was the major failing of the Progressive presidents?

  They had done little for social justice (especially Wilson). Wilson allowed extension of Jim Crow laws and ignored the pleas of African-American leaders.