Teddy Roosevelt s Square Deal 1902 Coal Strike

Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal

1902 Coal Strike What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? • Roosevelt called both sides to the White House to negotiate the issues • Threatened to take over the mines Which legislation helped solve this problem? • none

Trusts What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? • Roosevelt filed suits under the Sherman Antitrust Act against the railroad, beef, oil, and tobacco industries • Roosevelt became known as a “Trust Buster” Which legislation helped solve this problem? • Sherman Antitrust Act = made monopolies trusts illegal but it was difficult to enforce

Unregulated Big Business What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? • Roosevelt urged congress to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Act, and fought for passage of the Elkins Act and Hepburn Act Which legislation helped solve this problem? • Interstate Commerce Act is strengthened by setting up the (ICC) Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce the new laws. • Elkins Act made it illegal for railroad officials or shippers to give or receive rebates. • Hepburn Act gave the ICC the power to set maximum railroad rates, subject to court approval and limited the distribution of free railroad passes (a form of bribery)

Dangerous Foods and Medicines What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? • Roosevelt appointed a commission to study the meatpacking industry after reading The Jungle. • He pushed for passage of the Meat Inspection Act Which legislation helped solve this problem? • Meat Inspection Act: (1906) This Act created a program of federal meat inspection and called for strict cleanliness requirements for meatpackers • Pure Food and Drug Act: (1906) Law to stop the sale of unclean food and drugs. This law called for truth in labeling = Products must be labeled honestly and could no longer be manufactured using dangerous chemicals

Shrinking Wilderness and Natural Resources • • What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? Roosevelt promoted conservation of natural resources. T. R. set aside thousands of acres of forest resources, water-power sites, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. He named a professional conservationist to head the U. S. Forest Service T. R. promoted large-scale irrigation projects. Which legislation helped solve this problem? • National Reclamation Act (Newlands Act) This Act set aside land for conservation and protecting water sources, building dams in desert areas and protecting mining rights.

What steps did Roosevelt take to solve the problem? • Roosevelt took no substantial steps toward ending racial discrimination • However, he did appoint an African American as head of the South Carolina , Custom House. • He refused to dismiss an African American postmistress in Mississippi • He invited Booker T. Washington to the White House for dinner. Racial Discrimination Which legislation helped solve this problem? • No legislation was proposed or passed.

Terms • Square Deal: T. R. ’s program of progressive reforms • The Jungle: A novel by Upton Sinclair describing the conditions of the meatpacking industry • Upton Sinclair: Muckraking novelist who exposed the unsanitary working conditions in meatpacking • NAACP: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909 to work for racial equality.