The Progressive Presidents
A Comparison
Theodore Roosevelt
Report Card
Teddy got an A on leadership because he helped the nations social problems. The presidents before him never did anything like that. Theodore was determined, curious, and compassionate about others of less fortunate. He created the square deal. The square deal included: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. He took control of what he thought would be good for the nation.
Teddy was known as the 'conservationist president." He loved hunting and its game. The conservation became one of his biggest concerns.Teddy protected around 230 million acres of public land. He saved many animals from being hunted because he saved all of those acres. Many people like Teddy because he was a conservationist.
Organization- B
He oganized four acts for the nation. The acts were the Square Deal, Hepburn Act, Meat Ispection Act, and the Pure Food and Drug Inspection The Square Deal was the plan for reform. The Hepburn Act was the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate the maximum charge that railroads to place on shipping goods. The Meat Inspection Act was the requirement to inspect the meat before its sold. The Pure Food and Drug Inspection was the act that prohibited the manufacture, sale, or shipment of falsely labeled food and drugs.
Theodore Roosevelt took action in the foreign affairs of the Panama Canal. He said "As President, I was related to the Panamal Canal." The Panama Canal would never have started if he didn't take control of it. Congress was not really hapy about Teddy taking over the Canal.Theodore said that Congress would have to take it up with him not the debate.
Professionalism- B
Most people liked Theodore Roosevelt as president because he was the youngest person to become president. He was part of the Navy, but resigned to organize the first Calvary Regiment. People liked the way he was a conservationist.He was called unsportsmanlike because of his game of hunting. During the construction of the Panama Canal a case of yellow fever and malaria broke out. Theodore had to organize groups of surgeons and snaitation engineers to clean up the mosquito problem. Teddy had to get US people to finish the Canal. He added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
Theodore Roosevelt was known as a more modern president. People admired his determination to being president. He loved being president.He wouldn't let the nation down by fighting for what he thought was good for the nation. Some people admired the president because they know they wouldn't be able to get the nation togeter and make deals with oher foreign places.
Contributions-A
Teddy contributed his enviromental concerns.He would collect everything that was in sight and reach. Teddy would share his collection of specimen. He donated several to a museum. The museum he donated stuff to was founded by his father. He believed that nature existed to benefit mankind.
He contributed his understanding of the government and the legislative process. He pushed the Congress to have the Pure Food and Drug Act pass. During the foreign affairs Teddy acted boldly and decisively. He fought against unfair trade practices, establishing precendents for the president. The greatest mark he left on the nation was the natural resources.
William Howard Taft
Report Card
Taft was graded a C because he didn't really want to be president. He wanted to be a Chief Justice of the United States. The nation didn't believe in this president because Taft felt uncomfortable being president. William did prefer law over politics. People followed his lead because he did pass some good bills.
Taft was good with pushing the existing laws. He wasn't that good at demanding a new legislation from Congress. William Isolated Roosevelt when he tried breaking up US Steel. Taft was more conservative and less into trust busting.
Organization- B-
Taft was one of the lazier presidents. He depended on others for support, like his parents, his wife, and Roosevelt. One thing Taft needed to improve on was his organization skills. Taft procrastinted a lot because he wanted order. Taft lacked leadership. He had some mistakes, but did some good things. He passed many bills. The Dollar Diplomacy was a major thing he did. This was a foriegn policy. The Dollar Diplomacy didn't pass because Canada didn't agree.
Professionalism- C
William Taft did get stuck in the bath tub because he was too big for that tub. They had to get a new tub that was bigger. He was not the worlds favorite president. Many say he lacked interest in the power of presidency. Taft never enjoyed being president. He disliked politics.
Contributions- B
Taft did make a difference in the world. He passed bills and laws. He worked on Social and Government reforms. He did do good with organizing the U.S. Taft is known for the president that got stuck in the bath tub and for not wanting to be president.Taft did work over in the Philppines. He did a lot in office, but the nation didn't tink the same.
Woodrow Wilson
Report Card
William brought a brilliant Intellect, strong moral convictions, and a passion reform. Wilson was an advocate for farmers and small businesses. He didn't want to be too involved on being sides of the war so he remained neutral for World War I. Wilson was the person to propose the fourteen points for the Versailles Treaty.
Organization- B
Wilson organized "Wilson's New Freedom." New Freedom is limiting government. He saw the nation needed change.The New Freedom attacked the triple wall of priviledge- the tariff, the banks, and the trusts. Wilson reduced tariffs. He thought by going over the Sherman Anti-trust was a good idea. Wilson spoke up for women's suffrage.
Proffessionalism- B+
People admired Wilson because he wanted to limit government. He also reduced tariffs. Wilsons' numbers for foriegn policy was one of the most influential presidents in history. Mexico was part of the foreign policy. Wilson played a role in the League of Nations. Wilson was very interested in the problems of modern day democracy.
Contributions- A
Wilson was passionate for reform. Woodrow Wilson passed some domestic reforms. This included the Federal Reserve Act. He supported farmers and local businesses. He was neutral for World War I. He proposed pointd for the League of Nations. He made man changes to the nation. Wilson signed the 19th Amendment. Wilson supported immigration rights. He put political values in to effect.