Progressivism Under TaftProgressivism Under Taft

How does Taft anger progressives?

Taft Becomes PresidentTaft Becomes President

• 1908: T. Roosevelt does not run for a 3rd term

• TR picks his Sec. of War, William H. Taft, to run for Republicans, Taft beats Democrat William Jennings Bryan

• When Taft takes office, he takes a cautious approach and consolidates many of TR’s programs instead of expanding them• Despite busting over 90 trusts, Taft gained little credit

Taft Stumbles

• Taft promised to lower tariffs during election but as President signed Payne-Aldrich tariff, which slightly increased rates

• Progressives labeled Taft as a traitor• Taft had difficulties convincing American public that is policies were right

• Taft started facing problems within his own party

• Taft appoints Richard Ballinger as Sec. of Interior, removes 1 million acres of land from the reserved/conservation list

Taft’s Dollar DiplomacyTaft’s Dollar Diplomacy

• US banks loan Latin Am. nations money to pay off prior debts• Banks gain the country’s tariff money & other assets• Nicaraguan, govt can’t pay US loans back, President Adolfo

Diaz gives US banks control of Nicaragua’s RR & nat’l bank• Nicaraguan people protest try to overthrow Diaz• Taft sends in 2000 marines to keep Diaz in power

Taft Splits RepublicansTaft Splits Republicans

• Voters upset at Taft’s “non-progressive” policies• 1910: Democrats win House of Representatives• 1912: Roosevelt wants to run for President again to restart

progressive movement – problem Taft is sitting Rep. President• Roosevelt supporters start the Bull Moose Party• Republican vote split – Democrat Woodrow Wilson wins