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With the assassination of William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the youngest president thus far in American history at the age of 42. The Progressive Movement takes off under his dynamic and reform-minded style of leadership. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, p. 430)
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Roosevelt showed "he favored neither business nor labor" in a strike of anthracite coal miners in Pennsylvania. He insisted on a Square Deal for all, convening a conference of between government, management and labor. This marked the first economic crisis of his presidency. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, p. 431)
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Elkins Act grants the ICC greater authority to prevent the railroad industry from granting rebates to favored customers. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, p. 431)
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This important book demanded equal rights for African Americans.
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After the Colombian senate rejected a treaty to give the United States broad control over a canal, Panamanians launched a revolt. The rebellion, supported by Roosevelt and the U.S., succeeded immediately.
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Starting in 1904, the Panama Canal took ten years to complete.
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Voters overwhelmingly voted support for Roosevelt and his "Square Deal" for labor in the election of 1904. Roosevelt wins by a landslide! (Source: historycentral.com)
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"All that this country desires is to see the neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous. Any country whose people conduct themselves well can count upon our hearty friendship. If a nation shows that it knows how to act with reasonable efficiency and decency in social and political matters, if it keeps order and pays its obligations, it need fear no interference from the United States..." ( Source: President Theodore Roosevelt's State of the Union Address)
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Japanese and American governments reach a compromise known as the Gentlemen's Agreement (1907-1908). With this understanding, Tokyo agreed to withold passports to suspend Japanese immigration to the United States.
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The "Great White Fleet" begins its circumnavigation of the globe to demonstrate the naval power of the United States. The around-the-world cruise lasts from 1907 to 1909.
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W.E.B. DuBois and the other members of the Niagara Movement joined with Progressive whites and founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to abolish segregation.
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Despite Taft's campaign promises to lower tariffs, Congress passed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff to raise taxes on most imports in 1909. Taft angered Progressives by defending and signing this bill. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, 433)
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When Pinchot criticized Ballinger, Taft fired Pinchot for insubordinations. This delighted Conservatives while angering Progressives. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, p. 433)
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In 1912, a rare four-way contest between four candidates:
1. Taft runs as the Republican candidate.
2. Teddy Roosevelt represents the newly founded Progressive Party with his program of "New Nationalism."
3. Founder of the socialist party, Eugene Debs, captures over 900,000 votes-- the peak of the party 's popularity.
4 Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) wins the race promising New Freedom to limit big business. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's US History, p. 434; Map by Encyclopedia Britannica) -
Wilson's Inaugural Address and Notes)Wilson pledged to bring back fair competition in the economy through tariff reduction, banking reform, and business regulation to ensure new freedom for Americans. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's United States History, p. 435; Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress)
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The FTC is formed to regulate unfair practices in industry.
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Congress passes the Clayton Antitrust Act to break up monopolies and exempt unions from prosecution as trusts. (Source: Newman and Schmalbach's US History, p. 435)
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The Federal Farm Loan Act enables farmers to secure low interest loans.
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The Child Labor Acto of 1916 prevents interstate commerce of products made by children under the age of 14. (Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress)
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19th AmendmentThe ratification of the 19th amendment ended the long struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. Women won the right to vote in 1920. Image Courtesy of: National Archives
