Transcript A Square Deal

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Election 1900,
assassination,
ascendancy
Expanding the
power of the
presidency
Utilize media and
shape legislation
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Reform in society
Give a fair shake to all in society (workers,
businessmen, impoverished, etc.)
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Break up large trusts
End monopolies that manipulate workers and consumers
Theme: Government regulation
Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
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Coal vital to the US
140,000 workers with unsafe working conditions,
long hours, low pay
Strike threatened
TR steps in and calls the union & management to
the White House
Arbitration
Roosevelt sided with workers – 1st time for a pres.
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Justice Dept. sued company
Supreme Court dissolves the company
Victory for consumers
TR went on to break up 44 trusts in all
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Elkins Act (1903)
Can’t change RR rates w/o notifying consumers of
change
No rebates for RR officials
Hepburn Act (1906):
Gave ICC the power to set a limit of maximum RR rates
Limited distribution of free RR passes (a common bribe)
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1. What was the Square Deal?
2. How do Presidents use the Bully Pulpit ?
3. Give an example of a trust TR busted:
4. How do we know TR was sympathetic to
the plight of working class America?
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Meat Inspection Act
(1906):
Required sanitary
packaging conditions
Healthy animals must
be used
Pure Food & Drug Act
(1906):
Contents of food or
drugs must be labeled
on the package
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Conservation:
Gifford Pinchot – Head of the US Forest Service
Convinced TR to protect 150+ million acres