6.3 Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal

Study Notes

Theodore Roosevelt

26th President of the United States, influential in early 20th-century reform.
Advocated for conservation, trust-busting, regulation of corporations, and consumer protection.
Notable achievements include the establishment of the Panama Canal and the Great White Fleet.
Received Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War.

Bully Pulpit

Term for the president's platform to influence public opinion and legislatures.
Allows the president to leverage media exposure to support policy initiatives.

Square Deal

A progressive agenda aimed at serving the interests of capital, labor, and the public.
Focused on corporation regulation, ensuring consumer protection, and conserving natural resources.
Opposed preferential treatment for wealthy capitalists; emphasized corporate responsibility to the public good.

Elkins Act

Enacted in 1903 to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Commission’s (ICC) authority.
Prevented railroads from providing preferential rates to select customers.

Hepburn Act

Passed in 1906, empowered the ICC to set maximum shipping rates for railroads.
Aimed to eliminate unfair pricing practices in the railroad industry.

Upton Sinclair

Muckraking author known for "The Jungle," which exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
His work prompted public outrage and subsequent reforms in food safety regulation.

Meat Inspection Act

Enacted in 1906, established regulations for meatpacking processing to ensure sanitary conditions.
Aimed to protect consumers by ensuring truthful labeling of food products.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Passed in 1906, prohibited the sale of mislabeled or contaminated food and drugs.
Laid groundwork for FDA, granting the government powers to regulate drug safety and labeling.

John Muir

Naturalist and advocate for wilderness preservation, significant in founding Yosemite National Park.
Argued for protection of natural areas in their untouched state.

Newlands Reclamation Act

Legislation from 1902 providing federal funds for irrigation and land development in arid Western states.
Supported agricultural development through conservation of water resources.

Gifford Pinchot

Head of the U.S. Forest Service under Roosevelt; a pioneer in resource conservation.
Believed in sustainable use of natural resources while fostering conservation efforts.

Description

Test your knowledge on Theodore Roosevelt and his Square Deal policies with these flashcards. Explore significant terms like the Bully Pulpit, conservationism, and more. Perfect for students wanting to understand this pivotal period in American history.