After winning against William Jennings Bryan, Taft took office in 1909. However, he had trouble working with Congress and disliked being president.
Under Taft, Congress passed the 16th Amendment, which created income tax. He also set up the Department of Commerce, in addition to the Department of Labor. Communications companies were placed under government control.
Taft was accused of trying to undo Roosevelt's success.
In the election of 1912, Taft ran again, against democratic nomination Woodrow Wilson. The Progressives wanted Roosevelt to run, so he ran as third party, the Progressive Party. However, this party was nicknamed the Bull Moose Party.
Woodrow Wilson had a new plan called the New Freedom. Roosevelt's campaign was called New Nationalism.
Woodrow Wilson won the 1912 election, taking office in 1913.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Roosevelt's Foreign Policy
Under Teddy, three policies were followed. In Europe, the United States followed isolationism, and stayed neutral in their affairs. In Asia, America would settle disputes and improve trade. In Latin America, in addition to the Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary. It stated that any country too weak to help itself, the United States would step in.
Roosevelt also pushed for the Panama Canal. When Colombia refused to allow a canal to be built, Roosevelt sent the American navy to aid Panama in a revolt against Colombia. This action was an example of the quote "Speak softly and carry a big stick. You will go far." The Panama canal took 10 years to build and was completed in 1914. It was over 50 miles long and cut the distance from New York to San Francisco by about 7,800 miles.
Teddy felt that two terms as president were enough. He convinced the Republicans to nominate William Howard Taft, who won in 1908.
Roosevelt also pushed for the Panama Canal. When Colombia refused to allow a canal to be built, Roosevelt sent the American navy to aid Panama in a revolt against Colombia. This action was an example of the quote "Speak softly and carry a big stick. You will go far." The Panama canal took 10 years to build and was completed in 1914. It was over 50 miles long and cut the distance from New York to San Francisco by about 7,800 miles.
Teddy felt that two terms as president were enough. He convinced the Republicans to nominate William Howard Taft, who won in 1908.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
When he was growing up with asthma, the nature and outdoors represented health to Teddy Roosevelt. He grew up normally, went to school, graduated from college, and married.
Unfortunately, on the same day, both his mother and his wife died. This left him alone and heartbroken. Roosevelt moved out west to live life as a rancher. During the Spanish-American War, he led his Rough Riders in the famed charge up San Juan Hill with the African American infantry.
In the election of 1900, William McKinley won against Democratic William Bryan. Roosevelt was his vice president. Unfortunately, less than a year into his second term, McKinley was assassinated. Roosevelt became president. He was only 42, the youngest president in the history of America. He wanted both reform at home and abroad.
Roosevelt's square deal changed things at home. When coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike, Roosevelt forced the owners of the mine to make a compromise with his workers. Called the "Trustbuster", Teddy went on to control big businesses, busting companies such as Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. He created the Department of Commerce and Labor to deal with business.
Roosevelt added over 150 million acres to America's forests. He created the first Federal Bird Reserve. Congress passed laws to allow the building of dams, irrigation, and national parks. Congress also passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drugs Act.
Unfortunately, on the same day, both his mother and his wife died. This left him alone and heartbroken. Roosevelt moved out west to live life as a rancher. During the Spanish-American War, he led his Rough Riders in the famed charge up San Juan Hill with the African American infantry.
In the election of 1900, William McKinley won against Democratic William Bryan. Roosevelt was his vice president. Unfortunately, less than a year into his second term, McKinley was assassinated. Roosevelt became president. He was only 42, the youngest president in the history of America. He wanted both reform at home and abroad.
Roosevelt's square deal changed things at home. When coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike, Roosevelt forced the owners of the mine to make a compromise with his workers. Called the "Trustbuster", Teddy went on to control big businesses, busting companies such as Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. He created the Department of Commerce and Labor to deal with business.
Roosevelt added over 150 million acres to America's forests. He created the first Federal Bird Reserve. Congress passed laws to allow the building of dams, irrigation, and national parks. Congress also passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drugs Act.
Imperialism
First off, I would like to apologize for the lack of new posts.
With the acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico from Spain in the Spanish-American war, the concept of Imperialism truly sank into place. Imperialism, or the taking of other lands for economic or military purposes, was heavily debated in the U.S. at the time.
"It is unconstitutional" some said. Others, and most, believed according to Social Darwinism. The United States continued to increase power in the Pacific. In China, European powers had "spheres of influence", or specially controlled trading areas. As this limited American power and ability to trade, John Hay, Secretary of State, proposed the Open Door Policy.
In 1900, the Fists of Righteous Harmony, or the Boxers, rebelled against the European powers controlling China. Troops arrived from countries around the world to stop the rebellion. John Hay encouraged countries not to take more territory in China, but the Chinese were forced to repay for damages done in the rebellion.
America was gaining power in Asia and the Pacific, and with that, growing respect from the European nations.
With the acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico from Spain in the Spanish-American war, the concept of Imperialism truly sank into place. Imperialism, or the taking of other lands for economic or military purposes, was heavily debated in the U.S. at the time.
"It is unconstitutional" some said. Others, and most, believed according to Social Darwinism. The United States continued to increase power in the Pacific. In China, European powers had "spheres of influence", or specially controlled trading areas. As this limited American power and ability to trade, John Hay, Secretary of State, proposed the Open Door Policy.
In 1900, the Fists of Righteous Harmony, or the Boxers, rebelled against the European powers controlling China. Troops arrived from countries around the world to stop the rebellion. John Hay encouraged countries not to take more territory in China, but the Chinese were forced to repay for damages done in the rebellion.
America was gaining power in Asia and the Pacific, and with that, growing respect from the European nations.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Spanish- American War: Causes
Spain was fighting a guerrilla war, and had started using a Reconcentration Policy in order to sort the good from the bad. Unfortunately, Spanish colonists were herded into little rooms with bad food, clothing and shelter.
A large portion of the Cuban sugar plantations were also American, so the Spanish American War protected American economic interests. Also, "Yellow Journalism", or newspapers featuring highly exaggerated stories, also helped promote and begin the war.
However, what truly sparked the Spanish- American war was the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba. Americans across the country believed that it was Spain's fault. But, later investigation proved that the hull blew out by itself.
A large portion of the Cuban sugar plantations were also American, so the Spanish American War protected American economic interests. Also, "Yellow Journalism", or newspapers featuring highly exaggerated stories, also helped promote and begin the war.
However, what truly sparked the Spanish- American war was the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba. Americans across the country believed that it was Spain's fault. But, later investigation proved that the hull blew out by itself.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Populist Party
During the late 1800's, farmers across America began to suffer from falling crop prices. They began to form farm alliances, eventually creating a new political party called the Populist party. The Democratic party began to support some Populist ideas in order to gain votes.
The 1896 Election ended the Populist Party. The Populists supported the silver standard, or to use silver to make coins. However, supported by President Cleveland, business owners wanted to limit the supply of money in order to keep prices low. The Republican party nominated William McKinley, who was for the gold standard.
William Jennings Bryan, a democrat, made his famous "cross of gold" speech, winning him both the Democratic and Populist nomination for the election. He campaigned around the country, traveling as no one had before, making over 600 speeches.
McKinley, however, stayed at home in Ohio throughout the campaign, but was supported by big businesses, who donated to his cause. He took office in 1897.
Bryan's defeat led to the end of the Populist Party. However, a new group of people, called Progressives, began.
The 1896 Election ended the Populist Party. The Populists supported the silver standard, or to use silver to make coins. However, supported by President Cleveland, business owners wanted to limit the supply of money in order to keep prices low. The Republican party nominated William McKinley, who was for the gold standard.
William Jennings Bryan, a democrat, made his famous "cross of gold" speech, winning him both the Democratic and Populist nomination for the election. He campaigned around the country, traveling as no one had before, making over 600 speeches.
McKinley, however, stayed at home in Ohio throughout the campaign, but was supported by big businesses, who donated to his cause. He took office in 1897.
Bryan's defeat led to the end of the Populist Party. However, a new group of people, called Progressives, began.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Labor Unions
Two major labor unions grew during the Gilded Age.
The first, the Knights of Labor, took all workers. They favored strikes and boycotting to achieve their goals. It was once a secret organization, but under Presley, the Knights of Labor grew enormously. However, during a strike, several members were killed by police. Later, in a protest at Haymarket Square (against police for murder) the Knights of Labor were joined by several sympathetic anarchists. When police arrived to sort out the trouble, one of the anarchists threw a bomb, killing three policemen and wounding several others. This riot at Haymarket Square destroyed the Knights of Labor as people associated them with killing and bombing.
The second major labor union was the American Federation of Labor, or AFL. This group was small, since they only accepted skilled workers, and no blacks or women. These skilled workers were organized according to craft, forming smaller unions within the larger AFL. The American Federation of Labor favored peaceful bargaining over strikes and boycotts.
Often, when workers went on strike, the employers simply hired different people, ones that didn't belong to a labor union, called strikebreakers. Fights would frequently break out between strikers and strikebreakers.
The first, the Knights of Labor, took all workers. They favored strikes and boycotting to achieve their goals. It was once a secret organization, but under Presley, the Knights of Labor grew enormously. However, during a strike, several members were killed by police. Later, in a protest at Haymarket Square (against police for murder) the Knights of Labor were joined by several sympathetic anarchists. When police arrived to sort out the trouble, one of the anarchists threw a bomb, killing three policemen and wounding several others. This riot at Haymarket Square destroyed the Knights of Labor as people associated them with killing and bombing.
The second major labor union was the American Federation of Labor, or AFL. This group was small, since they only accepted skilled workers, and no blacks or women. These skilled workers were organized according to craft, forming smaller unions within the larger AFL. The American Federation of Labor favored peaceful bargaining over strikes and boycotts.
Often, when workers went on strike, the employers simply hired different people, ones that didn't belong to a labor union, called strikebreakers. Fights would frequently break out between strikers and strikebreakers.
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