Session Three: Monday March 5, 2018
Big Business and Labor & Role of the U.S. in Global Affairs
Big Business and Labor
One of Roosevelt's central beliefs was that the government had the right to regulate big business to protect the welfare of society. In his first message to Congress in 1901, President Roosevelt stated, “There is a widespread conviction in the minds of the American people that the great corporations known as trusts are in certain of their features and tendencies hurtful to the general welfare.” Roosevelt pushed for more government regulation of business, but Congress initially adhered to constitutional restraints and resisted. But that didn’t stop Roosevelt from taking matters into his own hands. Roosevelt’s Justice Department initiated 44 lawsuits against major corporations for violating federal antitrust laws, more than any previous president and earning Roosevelt the nickname “trustbuster.” The most prominent lawsuit was against Northern Securities Company—a giant railroad combination created by a syndicate of wealthy industrialists and financiers led by J. P. Morgan—violated the Sherman Antitrust Act because it was a monopoly. In 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government and ordered the company dismantled. The high court's action was a major victory for the administration and put the business community on notice that although this was a Republican administration, it would not give business free rein to operate without regard for the public welfare. “We demand that big business give the people a square deal; in return we must insist that when any one engaged in big business honestly endeavors to do right he shall himself be given a square deal.” (Source: The Miller Center)
One of Roosevelt's central beliefs was that the government had the right to regulate big business to protect the welfare of society. In his first message to Congress in 1901, President Roosevelt stated, “There is a widespread conviction in the minds of the American people that the great corporations known as trusts are in certain of their features and tendencies hurtful to the general welfare.” Roosevelt pushed for more government regulation of business, but Congress initially adhered to constitutional restraints and resisted. But that didn’t stop Roosevelt from taking matters into his own hands. Roosevelt’s Justice Department initiated 44 lawsuits against major corporations for violating federal antitrust laws, more than any previous president and earning Roosevelt the nickname “trustbuster.” The most prominent lawsuit was against Northern Securities Company—a giant railroad combination created by a syndicate of wealthy industrialists and financiers led by J. P. Morgan—violated the Sherman Antitrust Act because it was a monopoly. In 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government and ordered the company dismantled. The high court's action was a major victory for the administration and put the business community on notice that although this was a Republican administration, it would not give business free rein to operate without regard for the public welfare. “We demand that big business give the people a square deal; in return we must insist that when any one engaged in big business honestly endeavors to do right he shall himself be given a square deal.” (Source: The Miller Center)
Role of the U.S. in Global Affairs
As President, Roosevelt wanted to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage and make the country a global power. He also believed that the exportation of American values and ideals would have an ennobling effect on the world. TR's diplomatic maxim was to "speak softly and carry a big stick," and he maintained that a chief executive must be willing to use force when necessary while practicing the art of persuasion. He therefore sought to assemble a powerful and reliable defense for the United States to avoid conflicts with enemies who might prey on weakness. Roosevelt followed McKinley in ending the relative isolationism that had dominated the country since the mid-1800s, acting aggressively in foreign affairs, often without the support or consent of Congress. “In foreign affairs we must make up our minds that, whether we wish it or not, we are a great people and must play a great part in the world. It is not open to us to choose whether we will play that great part or not. We have to play it. All we can decide is whether we shall play it well or ill.” (Source: The Miller Center)
As President, Roosevelt wanted to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage and make the country a global power. He also believed that the exportation of American values and ideals would have an ennobling effect on the world. TR's diplomatic maxim was to "speak softly and carry a big stick," and he maintained that a chief executive must be willing to use force when necessary while practicing the art of persuasion. He therefore sought to assemble a powerful and reliable defense for the United States to avoid conflicts with enemies who might prey on weakness. Roosevelt followed McKinley in ending the relative isolationism that had dominated the country since the mid-1800s, acting aggressively in foreign affairs, often without the support or consent of Congress. “In foreign affairs we must make up our minds that, whether we wish it or not, we are a great people and must play a great part in the world. It is not open to us to choose whether we will play that great part or not. We have to play it. All we can decide is whether we shall play it well or ill.” (Source: The Miller Center)
Resources Related to Big Business and Labor
quotes.pdf | |
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upton_sinclair_the_jungle.pdf | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
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business_and_labor.pdf | |
File Size: | 6103 kb |
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Resources Related to the Global Affairs:
foreign_policy.pdf | |
File Size: | 2139 kb |
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foriegn_policy.pdf | |
File Size: | 9839 kb |
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NYS Frameworks Connections:
4th Grade: New York State and Local History and Government
4.6 WESTWARD MOVEMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION: New York State played an important role in the growth of the United States. During the 1800s, people traveled west looking for opportunities. Economic activities in New York State are varied and have changed over time, with improvements in transportation and technology.
(Standards: 1, 3, 4; Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO, ECO, TECH)
8th Grade: History of the United States and New York State II
8.2 A CHANGING SOCIETY: Industrialization and immigration contributed to the urbanization of America. Problems resulting from these changes sparked the Progressive movement and increased calls for reform. (Standards: 1, 2, 4; Themes: MOV, SOC, TECH, EXCH)
8.3 EXPANSION AND IMPERIALISM: Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, economic, political, and cultural factors contributed to a push for westward expansion and more aggressive United States foreign policy.
(Standards: 1, 2, 3, 5; Themes: GEO, GOV, CIV, ECO)
11th Grade; United States History & Government:
11.5 INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION (1870 – 1920): The United States was transformed from an agrarian to an increasingly industrial and urbanized society. Although this transformation created new economic opportunities, it also created societal problems that were addressed by a variety of reform efforts.
(Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, GEO, SOC, CIV, TECH)
11.6 THE RISE OF AMERICAN POWER (1890 – 1920): Numerous factors contributed to the rise of the United States as a world power. Debates over the United States’ role in world affairs increased in response to overseas expansion and involvement in World War I. United States participation in the war had important effects on American society.
(Standards: 1, 2, 3, 4: Themes: GEO, SOC, GOV, ECO)
12th Grade: Participation in Government and Civics
12.G2 CIVIL RIGHTS and CIVIL LIBERTIES: The United States Constitution aims to protect individual freedoms and rights that have been extended to more groups of people over time. These rights and freedoms continue to be debated, extended to additional people, and defined through judicial interpretation. In engaging in issues of civic debate, citizens act with an appreciation of differences and are able to participate in constructive dialogue with those who hold different perspectives.
12.G5 PUBLIC POLICY: All levels of government—local, state, and federal—are involved in shaping public policy and responding to public policy issues, all of which influence our lives beyond what appears in the Constitution. Engaged citizens understand how to find, monitor, evaluate, and respond to information on public policy issues.
12th Grade: Economics, The Enterprise System and Finance
12.E3 THE IMPACT OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: There are various economic systems in the world. The United States operates within a mixed, free market economy that is characterized by competition and a limited role of government in economic affairs. Economic policy makers face considerable challenges within a capitalist system, including unemployment, inflation, poverty, and environmental consequences. Globalization increases the complexity of these challenges significantly, and has exerted strong and transformative effects on workers and entrepreneurs in the United States economy.
12.E4 THE TOOLS OF ECONOMIC POLICY IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: Globalization and increased economic interdependence affect the United States economy significantly. The tools that the policy makers have available to address these issues are fiscal policy, monetary policy, and trade policy.
4.6 WESTWARD MOVEMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION: New York State played an important role in the growth of the United States. During the 1800s, people traveled west looking for opportunities. Economic activities in New York State are varied and have changed over time, with improvements in transportation and technology.
(Standards: 1, 3, 4; Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO, ECO, TECH)
8th Grade: History of the United States and New York State II
8.2 A CHANGING SOCIETY: Industrialization and immigration contributed to the urbanization of America. Problems resulting from these changes sparked the Progressive movement and increased calls for reform. (Standards: 1, 2, 4; Themes: MOV, SOC, TECH, EXCH)
8.3 EXPANSION AND IMPERIALISM: Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, economic, political, and cultural factors contributed to a push for westward expansion and more aggressive United States foreign policy.
(Standards: 1, 2, 3, 5; Themes: GEO, GOV, CIV, ECO)
11th Grade; United States History & Government:
11.5 INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION (1870 – 1920): The United States was transformed from an agrarian to an increasingly industrial and urbanized society. Although this transformation created new economic opportunities, it also created societal problems that were addressed by a variety of reform efforts.
(Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, GEO, SOC, CIV, TECH)
11.6 THE RISE OF AMERICAN POWER (1890 – 1920): Numerous factors contributed to the rise of the United States as a world power. Debates over the United States’ role in world affairs increased in response to overseas expansion and involvement in World War I. United States participation in the war had important effects on American society.
(Standards: 1, 2, 3, 4: Themes: GEO, SOC, GOV, ECO)
12th Grade: Participation in Government and Civics
12.G2 CIVIL RIGHTS and CIVIL LIBERTIES: The United States Constitution aims to protect individual freedoms and rights that have been extended to more groups of people over time. These rights and freedoms continue to be debated, extended to additional people, and defined through judicial interpretation. In engaging in issues of civic debate, citizens act with an appreciation of differences and are able to participate in constructive dialogue with those who hold different perspectives.
12.G5 PUBLIC POLICY: All levels of government—local, state, and federal—are involved in shaping public policy and responding to public policy issues, all of which influence our lives beyond what appears in the Constitution. Engaged citizens understand how to find, monitor, evaluate, and respond to information on public policy issues.
12th Grade: Economics, The Enterprise System and Finance
12.E3 THE IMPACT OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: There are various economic systems in the world. The United States operates within a mixed, free market economy that is characterized by competition and a limited role of government in economic affairs. Economic policy makers face considerable challenges within a capitalist system, including unemployment, inflation, poverty, and environmental consequences. Globalization increases the complexity of these challenges significantly, and has exerted strong and transformative effects on workers and entrepreneurs in the United States economy.
12.E4 THE TOOLS OF ECONOMIC POLICY IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: Globalization and increased economic interdependence affect the United States economy significantly. The tools that the policy makers have available to address these issues are fiscal policy, monetary policy, and trade policy.