Kayla Michaels
English 11
Mr. Pelley
26 February 2014
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the twenty seventh president of the United States of America (Miller Center C1). He was born September 15th, 1857 in Cinncinati Ohio (American History D1). His father was named Alphonso Taft and his mother was Louisa Taft (D2). Growing up, Taft had a successful school life, attending a private school like his father had (Bio.com E4). Growing up, his father had a large impact on the decisions in young Taft’s life, so he struggled with wanting an identity different than his father (World Biography B1). Taft attended Woodward High school in Cincinnati Ohio (American History D3). After leaving law school, Taft attempted to enlist in the military. He was later denied because of his nearsightedness (World Biography B2). He attended Yale University (Bio.com E1). In 1878, Taft graduated as salutatorian of his class, just as he had done in high school. Two years later, the young Taft attended the Cincinnati Law School. (Miller Center C3-C4). Upon graduating, Taft received a law degree that would be the start to his judicial career. In 1881, he got his first job in the public office as assistant Hamilton county prosecutor. At one point during his time as prosecutor, there was a fire in the county law library, so Taft rebuilt the collection of books that had been destroyed in the fire (American History D7). When he turned 30, he became the judge on the Superior Court in Cincinnati for three years before becoming the youngest appointed Solicitor General of the United States in 1890. Taft had a lifelong ambition to serve as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America, which he worked towards during most of his life (Bio.com E3-4). While serving as the judge on the Superior Court, he worked for a tax reform for the benefit of others. Also during his time in office, he opposed the Ku Klux Klan when it was a significant force in Ohio politics (World Biography B5). At the same time, Taft also served as the first dean of the University Of Cincinnati College Of Law (American History D5). Taft would have gone on serving in the judiciary field for the rest of his life, had it not been for his wife, Helen Herron (D8). While in Washington, Taft met Theodore Roosevelt, a man who would have a huge impact on Taft’s future. Soon after, William McKinley appointed Taft governor general of the Philippines, which he gladly accepted (Bio.com E8-9). While serving as governor general of the Philippines, he turned down an offer to join the Supreme Court (his lifelong ambition) so he could finish the reforms he was doing while serving there (Miller Center C9). During his time in the Philippines, Taft constructed a functioning civil regime in the island, making a huge impact there (C12). During much of Taft’s life, he struggled with living a different life than his father had lived. So, when Taft was offered the position as Secretary of War, he hesitated. Alphonso Taft, President Taft’s father, had served as the secretary of war in his time (American History D10). In 1904, Taft became the next secretary of war, leaving his position as governor of the Philippines (D9). While serving as the secretary of war, Taft became close with Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt often confided in Taft, making him his chief emissary and confidant (Miller Center C13). Roosevelt and Taft had a strong friendship that led to Roosevelt choosing Taft to succeed him as president for the following election. Taft made a pledge not to run for a second term. The public joked that “Taft” stood for “Take advice from Theodore”. In 1908, Taft beat Williams Jennings Bryan, becoming the twenty seventh president of the United States (C16-18). While Taft was in office, he attempted to make many changes to the United States for the better. He was the first president to make seventy five thousand dollars a year (PBS A1). During the beginning of his presidency, William Howard
William Howard Taft was born in 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of 34, he was appointed Circuit Court Judge. From early in his career, Taft aspired to be a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. He served as President from 1909-1913. In 1921, President Warren Harding fulfilled Taft’s dream by appointing him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taft’s most prominent opinion came in Meyers vs. United States. He remained in office of Chief Justice until shortly before his death in 1930. William Howard…
Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson were all key pioneers in the Progressive Era. Theodore Roosevelt was not a fan of big business. He would encourage and help the businesses he deemed “moral” to monopolize and take down other greedy businesses, earning him the title of “trust-buster.” Roosevelt even pressed for an income tax that would affect the wealthy, however this proposal was not constitutional. Rather than change the proposal, Teddy wanted to change the constitution. William Howard…
Progressive Roots - In the beginning of the 1900s, America had 76 million people, mostly in good condition. Then before the first decade of the 20th century, the U.S. would be influenced by a “Progressive movement’ that fought against monopolies, corruption, inefficiency, and social injustice. 1. The purpose of the Progressives was to use the government as an agency of human welfare. - The Progressives had their roots in the Greenback Labor Party of the 1870s and 1880s and the Populist Party…
The Child Labor Act was also signed to eliminate child labor, but was later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1918. He also advocated the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, which provided financial assistance to federal employees injured on the job. William Howard Taft was…
Progressivism Study Guide Define the following terms/people from Chapters 5, 7, and 8 Chapter 5 1. Ellis Island – The checkpoint for the East coast 2. Angel Island – The checkpoint for the West coast. Chinese Exclusion Act – allowed the U.S. to suspense Chinese immigration, a ban that was intended to last 10 years. This law was repealed by theMagnuson Act on December 17, 1943. 3. 4. Tenement (dumbbell tenement) – a apartment style housing, some can be the size of a small…
planters and US sailors overthrew it •Annexation •The conquering of a country •Philippine Conflict •US had a mini war with Philippine rebels for 3 years ⁃mainly guerrilla warfare •Filipino hostility slowly was reduced under the influence of William Howard Taft ⁃He was the first US governor of the Philippines ⁃improved education, healthcare, and transportation • Teddy…
Colin Ruckel Period 6 3/10/13 The Progressive Era was a time of social activism and political reform in the United States staring from the 1890s to the 1920s. Three men, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, were presidents in these times, each playing an important role. The two presidents that made a major impact on the Progressive Era though were Roosevelt and Wilson. Though both presidents were hard working and intelligent, Roosevelt was the bigger progressive. Three reasons…
The Progressive Period The United States in 1901 have the youngest President ever. His name was Theodore Roosevelt. At forty-two years old, the former New York governor dominated the news unlike any previous president had done. He loved being a president. He became very popular because of his many exploits, such as boxing and horseback riding, led the press to gain interest in him. Known for being very outgoing and likable, the public loved him and called him “Teddy” and named a stuffed bear after…
event enjoyed by sports enthusiasts everywhere. No one is quite sure when the practice of having someone other than the pitcher heave the first pitch began, but we know it was being done in the early 1900’s. One story has it that President William Howard Taft started the tradition at the 1910 Washington Senators game. In any event, he was the first of a long line of Presidents who can say they threw at least one pitch in the big leagues. While Presidents, mayors, and various other politicians have…
History Since 1865 January 14, 2013 Professor Andrew Cramer What is said and what is done The election of 1912 was a crazy one to say the least. The two front-runners, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson with Howard Taft lagging behind left a mark on America not soon forgotten. What America had just come out of and what it was going into required candidates that could give America hope. Progressivism laid out a plan to change a lot of things in America that had…