Progressivism Under Taft How does Taft anger progressives

Progressivism Under Taft How does Taft anger progressives?

Taft Becomes President • 1908: T. Roosevelt does not run for a 3 rd term • TR picks his Sec. of War, William H. Taft, to run for Republicans, Taft beats Democrat William Jennings Bryan • Taft takes office & 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 • Taft appoints Richard Ballinger as Sec. of Interior, removes 1 million acres of land from the reserved/conservation list • Progressives labeled Taft as a traitor • Taft had difficulties convincing American public that his policies were right • Taft started facing problems within his own party

Taft’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 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