chapter18

= Progressive Presidents: Leaders of Change  = Progressives did not limit their reform efforts to society’s ills. They also tackled the task of curbing the political power of the privileged few and removing the corrupt political machines that served them. Toward this end, progressives sought some changes in the electoral process that would restore political power to the people. Theodore Roosevelt was the first progressive president of the U.S. Taking office after the assassination of President William McKinley, Roosevelt was elected in his own right in 1904. During his two terms as president, he promoted the regulation of big business and helped preserve natural resources for future generations. Although financial panic and sharp depression hit the nation in 1907, President Roosevelt remained popular. The Republican nomination was his for the asking, but having served almost two full terms, he chose not to run again. The Republicans then turned to William Howard Taft, who easily won the 1908 election. In some ways, Taft carried on Roosevelt’s reform program. But as his term wore on, progressives became unhappy with his actions. During the 1912 campaign, Woodrow Wilson pledged to restore opportunity in American life. Once in office, Wilson moved to lower tariffs, reform banking, regulate corporations, and aid farmers and wage earners. As Wilson began his second term in office, progressives could claim some success in their efforts to improve American life. Yet much remained undone. Progressives had barely begun to clean up government and regulate business, women still did not have the right to vote, and the pledge of equal opportunity for all Americans remained unfulfilled.
 * === Reforming Government ===
 * People:** Samuel M. Jones, Tom Johnson, Robert M. La Follette ||  ||
 * === Roosevelt and the Square Deal ===
 * People:** Theodore Roosevelt, Leon Czolgosz, Judge Anton Parker ||  ||
 * === Reform Under Taft ===
 * People:** William Howard Taft, Nelson Aldrich, Richard Ballinger, Gifford Pinchot, Joseph Cannon, George Norris, Woodrow Wilson ||  ||
 * === Wilson's New Freedom ===
 * People:** Alice Paul, Cary Chapman Catt || media type="custom" key="6760467" ||