William H. Taft

President: Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 - January 6, 1919)

Term: September 14, 1901 - March 4, 1909

Background: He attended Harvard College in 1876 and later became a Sunday school teacher. He then went to Columbia Law School and dropped out to follow his goals of entering public life. Roosevelt also published his first book called The Navel War of 1812 while at Harvard. Roosevelt also served in the Spanish-American war in 1898 and earned the rank of Colonel in the commands of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1897 to 1898. He then went on to become the 33rd Governor of New York from January 1, 1899 to December 31, 1900.

Political Party: Republican (1897-1912), Progressive Party (1912-1916)

Vice-President: None (1901-1905), Charles W. Fairbanks (1905-1909)

Major Domestic Policy: Roosevelt's presidency mostly consisted of his ideas of the Square Deal on supporting middle class and Progressive ideas, regulating Business Monopolies, and enforcing the Anti-Trust act and hopes of protecting the common people. Also towards farmers, consumers, workers, and business owners have equal treatment and opportunity to succeed. During his Presidency, Roosevelt promoted anti-trust suits and even started actions against 44 big businesses. He stated that "bad" trust had to be taken care of, while "good" trust should be encouraged. With the Coal Strike 1902, he had a chance to display his attitude towards monopolies. When the owners of the monopolies refused to follow the demands of the strikers, Roosevelt threatened to take the mines. The monopolies then decided on giving the miners benefits such as a 10 percent raise. Roosevelt then looked towards the betterment of forest. With the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 Presidents now had the power to save land for National Parks and by more than 150 million acres. Also during Roosevelt's presidency was the rise of the muckrakers with famous leaders such as Lincoln Stephens, Ida Tarbell and Frank Norris. Muckrakers were now able to publish their stories in the public newspaper and to the press such as McClure's History of the Standard Oil Company and Collier Series of Articles on Patent Medicines. With the writing of "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, the government finally realized the unclean conditions that food was kept. Hence, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed creating regiments on the cleanliness of food and the conditions of its locations. Roosevelt attacked trust and the Hepburn Act in 1906 was created to regulate railroads.

Major Foreign Policy: Roosevelt's presidency consisted mostly of the pressing need for the canal across Central America. America realized this during the Spanish American War when the U.S.S. Oregon sailed from the American Coast in the West to Cuba, but by the time the ship reached Cuba, the war was finished. The canal was then opened in 1921 although it was completed before that time. Roosevelt also expanded the Monroe Doctrine in order to make new agreements with European Nations. Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine stated that if America and its protectorates receive problems and complications with other Nations, then America can handle its own issues and will not need the aid from foreign Countries. Roosevelt's Corollary came into use during the Dominican Republican financial crisis, when the Dominican Republic was struck by economic instability and turmoil. European nations were more in demand financially over the Dominican Republic; America got involved and dismantled the tariffs. This then resulted happily and all debt was paid of in two years. At the time that Roosevelt discovered Russia and Japan wanted peace, he then organized a meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and required Russia and Japan to compromise. This resulted with Roosevelt receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.

Court Case:

• Northern Securities Co. v. United States (1904)-Ruled that stockholders of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroad companies were unauthorized.

• Lochner v. New York (1905)-Held that bakers working hours were not allowed to be regulated under the 14th Amendment.

• Swift & Co. v. United States (1905)-Held that under the Commerce Clause, the government is eligible to regulate monopolies only if it has an effect on commerce.

• Adair v. United States (1907)-Declared the Erdman Act unconstitutional because it violated the 5th amendment under the due process clause of the right to freedom of contract and property rights.

• Muller v. Oregon (1908)-The limited working hours for women was held as constitutional under the 14th Amendment because it was for protecting women's health and rights.

Intellectual and Social Developments:

• The Great industrial merger movement occurred during the 1900's as immigrants were seen occupying a majority of factory work causing an increase of deskilling and factory lines.

• The Industrial Workers of the World developed in 1905.

• Women began voicing their opinions as they sought towards social reform and the struggle for civil rights was now revitalized.

• Muckraking journalism occurred as Muckrakers began bring issues to the public.

• Vaudeville's were formed as more movies sought towards taking a more comic approach.

• Progressivism in national politics occurred.

• The United States gained the land to create the Canal in 1903.

Roosevelt's Legacy: Roosevelt will always be known as the "trust buster" because of the fact that he was well respected in office and used his power efficiently after the assassination of McKinley. He was known as the first modern president due to his influence he has created on receiving presidency. Roosevelt helped towards gaining more power to the executive branch as he slowly eased it away from the Congress helping government. While in office, Roosevelt believed that government should be reformable towards all people. He will also be remembered for his charisma that he brought to office and how he understood the public and the media to catch the public's attention. His election was the first presidency that was based on the individual other then the political party.