27 Questions
What was the main goal of Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal?
To distinguish between good and bad corporations and regulate the economy
What was the significance of the Clayton Act of 1914?
It exempted unions from anti-trust laws
What was the main idea behind Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom program?
To promote stronger anti-trust laws and support small businesses
What was the result of William Howard Taft's prosecution of Standard Oil in 1911?
The company was broken up
What was the main goal of Woodrow Wilson's Dollar Diplomacy?
To emphasize loans and economic investment to spread American influence
What was the significance of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?
It emphasized American influence in the Western Hemisphere
What was the primary focus of Franklin Roosevelt's leadership style during the 100 Days?
Calm, reassuring, and personal
What was the outcome of the Emergency Banking Act of 1933?
The creation of 100% deposit insurance
What was the primary goal of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal?
To promote business reform and regulation
What was the significance of the 100 Days of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency?
A special session of Congress to address the banking crisis
What was the role of the Federal Reserve in the Emergency Banking Act of 1933?
It guaranteed 100% deposit insurance
What was one of the reasons why farmers supported the use of silver as a monetary standard?
They wanted to increase the value of their goods sold internally
What was the main criticism of the 'spoils system'?
It was a corrupt system that gave jobs to friends and supporters
What was one of the main arguments made by industrialists in favour of tariffs?
They protected domestic industries from foreign competition
What was the main goal of party bosses in political machines?
To get party votes by rewarding followers with jobs and money
What was the significance of Tammany Hall?
It was a political machine that ran parts of New York City
What was one of the benefits of an inflationary policy for those who borrowed money?
It made the cost of debt lower
What was the significance of the Banking Act of 1935?
It insured bank accounts up to $5,000.
What was the primary goal of the New Deal's Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)?
To reduce agricultural overproduction.
What was the main achievement of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)?
It provided $500 million to state and local agencies for relief payments.
What was the primary goal of the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC)?
To provide work for young men in conservation projects.
What was the significance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) established in 1934?
It set up federal regulation of trading in stocks and shares.
What was the primary goal of the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?
To bring government, industry, and labor unions together to promote fair practice.
What was the significance of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) established in 1934?
It coordinated schemes for conservation and regulation in Southern and Western states.
What was the primary goal of the Public Works Administration (PWA)?
To provide more than $3 billion for work creation projects.
What was the significance of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) established in 1934?
It set up federal regulation of radio and telegraph services.
What was the primary goal of the Emergency Railroad Transportation Act (ERTA) established in 1934?
To regulate railroad companies.
Study Notes
Rise of National Governments and Corporations
- Late 19th century to early 20th century: National governments rise, and corporations become international
- Example: British East India Company was an international corporation
- Even sports were affected, with the formation of the National League and American League in baseball
Theodore Roosevelt (TR)
- 1901: Becomes President after William McKinley's assassination
- Square Deal: aimed to distinguish between good and bad corporations
- Believed federal government should regulate economy directly and break up power of wealthy corporations
- Used Sherman Act to prosecute bad trusts (e.g., Northern Securities Company)
- Conservationist: wanted to preserve environment from economic exploitation
- Appointed Gifford Pinchot as head of forest service, setting aside millions of acres for national parks
William Howard Taft
- 1908: TR chooses Taft as successor
- Trust-buster, but not as aggressively as TR
- Ordered prosecution that broke up Standard Oil in 1911
- Supported 16th Amendment (income tax) and 18th Amendment (Prohibition)
Election of 1912
- Candidates: Taft, TR (Bull Moose Party), Eugene Debs (Socialist Party), Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
- TR's platform: New Nationalism, including heavy taxes on personal and corporate fortunes, federal regulation of industries
- Wilson's platform: New Freedom, with stronger anti-trust laws and policies to encourage small businesses
Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
- Election of 1912: Won with 42% of the popular vote
- New Freedom program:
- Underwood Tariff: reduced import duties
- 16th Amendment: income tax on the richest 5% of Americans
- Clayton Act of 1914: exempted unions from anti-trust laws, making it easier to strike
- Keating-Owen Act: outlawed child labor in manufacturing
- Adamson Act: mandated 8-hour workday for railroad workers
- Federal Reserve System (1913): gave government more control over banks in response to Panic of 1907
Progressivism and International Relations
- Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: US would exercise "international police power" in the Western Hemisphere
- Wilson's Dollar Diplomacy: emphasized loans and economic investment to spread American influence
- Interventions in Latin America:
- Panama Canal construction
- Dominican Republic: seized customs house to ensure debt repayment to American investors
- Honduras and Costa Rica: encouraged investment by United Fruit Company, creating "Banana Republics"
Conclusion
- Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson expanded federal government power both domestically and internationally
- Recognized need for government to deal with big business and ensure American freedom in the industrial era
- Foreign policy focused on ensuring a safe environment for American business abroad
Rise of National Governments and Corporations
- Late 19th century to early 20th century saw the rise of national governments and international corporations, exemplified by the British East India Company
- Even sports were affected, with the formation of the National League and American League in baseball
Theodore Roosevelt (TR)
- Became President in 1901 after William McKinley's assassination
- Implemented the Square Deal, aimed at distinguishing between good and bad corporations
- Believed in direct federal regulation of the economy and breaking up the power of wealthy corporations
- Used the Sherman Act to prosecute bad trusts, such as the Northern Securities Company
- Was a conservationist, preserving millions of acres for national parks, and appointed Gifford Pinchot as head of the forest service
William Howard Taft
- Chosen by TR as his successor in 1908
- Was a trust-buster, but not as aggressively as TR
- Ordered the prosecution that broke up Standard Oil in 1911
- Supported the 16th Amendment (income tax) and 18th Amendment (Prohibition)
Election of 1912
- Candidates included Taft, TR (Bull Moose Party), Eugene Debs (Socialist Party), and Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
- TR's platform included New Nationalism, with heavy taxes on personal and corporate fortunes, and federal regulation of industries
- Wilson's platform included New Freedom, with stronger anti-trust laws and policies to encourage small businesses
Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
- Won the election of 1912 with 42% of the popular vote
- Implemented the New Freedom program, including:
- The Underwood Tariff, which reduced import duties
- The 16th Amendment, which introduced income tax on the richest 5% of Americans
- The Clayton Act of 1914, which exempted unions from anti-trust laws, making it easier to strike
- The Keating-Owen Act, which outlawed child labor in manufacturing
- The Adamson Act, which mandated an 8-hour workday for railroad workers
- Established the Federal Reserve System in 1913, giving the government more control over banks in response to the Panic of 1907
Progressivism and International Relations
- Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: US would exercise "international police power" in the Western Hemisphere
- Wilson's Dollar Diplomacy emphasized loans and economic investment to spread American influence
- Interventions in Latin America included:
- Panama Canal construction
- Dominican Republic: seizing the customs house to ensure debt repayment to American investors
- Honduras and Costa Rica: encouraging investment by United Fruit Company, creating "Banana Republics"
Conclusion
- Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson expanded federal government power both domestically and internationally
- Recognized the need for government to deal with big business and ensure American freedom in the industrial era
- Foreign policy focused on ensuring a safe environment for American business abroad
Explore the late 19th to early 20th century era of national governments and corporations, including the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and his Square Deal policies.
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