Progressive Presidents
By: Lauren Roberts
Theodore Roosevelt
"The most important single ingredient in the formula of life is knowing how to get along with people"
Very passionate about the importance of exercise and leading a strenuous life. Graduated from Harvard and married Alice Hathaway Lee, who died on the same day and in the same house as his mother in 1884. Roosevelt fled to the West in hopes of leaving the bad memories behind and tended cows. Became commander of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War. Now that he was a war hero he became governor of New York and later President of the United States.
Organization- (A) He was pro-unions and so he passed many business regulations laws. He persuade progressive goals such as breaking down monopolies and his Square Deal, or fair treatment, program. He also is considered the "conversational president" because he had a lot of environmental concerns since he was a hunter and loved the outdoors. He created the United States Forest Service and established 5 national parks.
Professionalism- (A) He had this sense of ruggedness to him and was always full of energy which some could deem unprofessional but it did make him a great leader. The way he encouraged people to talk/debate and the way the people admired him gives him an A in professionalism.
Contributions- (B) Widely known for his "speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy, his addition to the Monroe Doctrine known as the Roosevelt Corollary, and his work in building the Panama Canal.
William Howard Taft
"Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgement"
Lived in Ohio as a child with very strict parents that had high expectations for him. He graduated second in his class at Yale and married Helen Herron, who also pushed him to become something more than just a judge. He accepted the job of President of Commission for the Philippine War offered to him by William McKinley after McKinley promised him a spot on the supreme court. After Taft's success he served as Secretary of War for Roosevelt and created a friendship with the president that later won himself presidency.
Organization- (B) Taft did carry on Roosevelt's Trust Busting efforts and instituted his own "Dollar Diplomacy" that involved the U.S. loans for improvements abroad especially to Latin American and Asian nations.
Professionalism- (B) While Taft was professional in his own strict manner he was not well liked by the Progressive Party considering it was formed by Roosevelt to go against Taft. This split the Republican Party and allowed Woodrow Wilson to be elected.
Contributions- (B) While Taft did enact some social and government reforms that aligned with his strong conservative ideals, he did not leave a huge impact on our nation besides having a new party form because they hated him...
Woodrow Wilson
"The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it"
Born in Virginia to a father who greatly supported the South's secession. He graduated from Princeton, University of Virginia, and John Hopkins University. Became governor of New Jersey, gained rapid popularity, and won presidency after facing the split Republican party.
Organization- (A) Wilson had his new freedom plan which involved the tariff reduction, banking reforms, and antitrust laws. The 17th, 18th, and 19th amendments to the Constitution were ratified under Wilson's presidency as well as the Federal Trade Act, the Underwood Tariff, and the creation of the Federal Reserve System. Mother's day was also founded during Wilson's time in office mainly thanks to Congress. He also dealt with immigration and vetoed a law that required literacy tests for immigrants.
Professionalism- (B) He wasn't as motivational as Roosevelt but he wasn't as strict as Taft so I gave him a B
Contributions- (B) While he did fail in his promise to keep us out of World War I, his ideals did inspire many Americans and shaped many of the foreign policies we see today.
Sources
http://millercenter.org/president/biography/taft-life-in-brief
http://millercenter.org/president/biography/wilson-life-in-brief
http://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/theodore-roosevelt-and-conservation.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/william-howard-taft
http://millercenter.org/president/biography/wilson-impact-and-legacy
http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/woodrow-wilson-accomplishments-president/2014/08/29/id/591777/