Lesson 2: The Taft Presidency

Lesson Focus

Theodore Roosevelt handpicked William Howard Taft as his successor. This lesson explores how Taft's presidency, despite its progressive aims, led to a deep split with Roosevelt and fractured the Republican party, reshaping American politics.

People to Know

William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt

Learning Objectives

• Explain the political impact of the Payne-Aldrich Tariff and why it angered many voters and progressive Republicans.
• Examine public reaction to the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy and its effect on Taft's reputation.
• Describe how Roosevelt and the public reacted to Taft's leadership, leading to Roosevelt's political return.

To address the high cost of living, President William Howard Taft pushed for lower import taxes. The House passed a bill with reductions, but conservative Senator Nelson W. Aldrich added amendments that kept rates high. Despite protests from "Insurgent" Republicans, Taft signed the weak Payne-Aldrich Tariff to avoid splitting his party. The public saw this as a broken promise, and Taft's popularity suffered as he seemed to abandon his progressive goals.

When Secretary Richard A. Ballinger reopened protected lands for private sale, Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot publicly accused him of fraud. Taft, defending Ballinger, fired Pinchot for insubordination. The public viewed this as an attack on conservation and Roosevelt's legacy. Note that even though Ballinger was later cleared, the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy severely damaged Taft's reputation and portrayed him as an enemy of progressivism.

Conservative Speaker Joseph G. Cannon used his immense power to block progressive laws. In March 1910, a coalition of "Insurgent" Republicans and Democrats revolted, stripping the speaker of his authority. Because Taft had supported Cannon for party unity, this attack hurt his presidency. This action made voters feel Taft had abandoned the Square Deal, leading to major Democratic victories in the 1910 congressional elections.

Alarmed by Taft's conservative turn, Theodore Roosevelt re-entered politics. In a 1910 speech, he introduced his "New Nationalism" program, which called for a powerful government to ensure human welfare. Pay special attention to his radical ideas, like laws protecting workers and letting voters reverse court decisions. This speech positioned Roosevelt as the clear leader of the "Progressive Republicans," directly challenging Taft for control of the party.

Despite his political struggles, Taft's administration had major successes. He prosecuted more antitrust cases than Roosevelt and supported two constitutional amendments. The Sixteenth Amendment established the federal income tax, and the Seventeenth Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators. However, Taft's lack of charisma and major political controversies meant his significant progressive achievements were largely overlooked by the public at the time.