Progressive Era Packet Questions (continued)

4) Was Taft a true "Progressive"? Make a list of points for and against...

     >FOR: Taft made, and followed through with, a pledge to cut rates on the tariff. He supported insurgents who were trying to, and succeeded in, liberalizing procedures in the House. Prosecuted more trusts than Roosevelt. Signed off on the Mann-Elkins Act which improved the regulatory powers of the ICC and supported labor reforms. 17th Amendment (direct election of US senators) passed during his presidency.

     >AGAINST: Taft's bill which cut rates failed, and he signed off on a bill that restored many of the cuts. He abandoned the insurgents whom he had earlier supported. Fired Gifford Pinchot who protested Richard A. Ballinger's plan to lessen federal supervision of western waterpower sites. 16th Amendment (allowing income tax) passed during his presidency.

5) Who were the main contenders in the 1912 election? What were the election returns?

     The three main contenders in the election were Wilson (democrat), Roosevelt (progressive), and Taft (republican). Taft got 1.5% of the electoral votes and 23% of the popular votes. Roosevelt got 16.5% of the electoral votes and 27% of the popular votes. Wilson, the winner, got 82% of the electoral votes and 42% of the popular votes.

6) Define Wilson's "New Freedom" platform.

     Concentrated economic power threatened individual liberty and monopolies had to be broken up so the marketplace would be generally open. He did not believe in cooperation between business and government.

7) What reforms were passed during Wilson's presidency?

     His administration passed the Clayton Antitrust Act which helped to prevent corporate abuses and corrected problems that the Sherman Antitrust Act had. He also passed a bill which created the FTC which investigated companies and gave orders against unfair trade practices. Also, the Federal Reserve Act established the first national bank since the expiration of the second national bank in 1836. He set the Underwood Tariff to restore competition by encouraging imports. Finally, the Adamson Act, which mandated an 8 hour work day and set overtime pay for railroad workers, was passed.