Taft+and+Trustbusting

William Howard Taft-  Succeeded Theodor Roosevelt in 1909 as President. In dealing with foreign policy, Taft was the opposite of Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s policy was referred to as “the big stick” Taft’s foreign policy was coined as “dollar diplomacy.” Taft tried to promote U.S. trade by supporting American business overseas. Although Taft’s foreign policy was a lot different than Roosevelt’s, he continued his Progressive policies. Taft was a Trustbuster; he tried to prosecute or dissolve business trusts. Taft prosecuted about two times as many trusts as Roosevelt did. (More on Taft's early life and "dollar diplomacy" ) 

Key Issue’s During Taft’s Administration: (The Split Republican Party) The 16th Amendment - Although proposed by the Populists in their 1892 platform, the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913 under Taft. This amendment gave the U.S. government the right to collect an income tax.  Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909)-Taft angered Progressives when he signed this tariff that raised the tax on most imports, going against his election campaign that promised to lower the tariff.  Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy  (1910)-The chief of the Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, was liked by the Progressives. The Progressives distrusted Richard Ballinger, Taft’s secretary of the interior. Pinchot criticized Ballinger and Taft fired Pinchot. This led to happy Conservatives and Progressive protests.  House Speaker Joe Cannon -Taft failed to support the Progressives and their efforts to reduce the dictatorial powers of Congress’ Joseph Cannon.  Midterm Elections  (1910)- Taft supported only Conservative candidates for Congress. This was the last straw and totally split the Republican party; Conservatives, who were loyal to Taft and Progressives were against him.

Taft left his office after a four year run in 1913 with his party deeply divided and Democrats taking hold of the government.

Resources Used; Amsco, American History (Alan Brinkley)-for information http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3645637678_a24a1a9260.jpg- for picture <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 14pt;">