Sections 17-4, -5

1. How did William Howard Taft get selected to run for president?


William Howard Taft was selected by Roosevelt to run against William Jennings Bryan in the election of 1912. At the time, Taft was Roosevelt's Secretary of War, and Roosevelt handpicked him to run in the election.


2. How did Teddy Roosevelt come to oppose Taft for the presidency in 1912?


Taft sought to consolidate rather than to expand Roosevelt's reforms, which caused Roosevelt to oppose him for the presidency of 1912.


3. What events helped Woodrow Wilson win the election in 1912?


The split of the Republican party was the main event which helped Wilson win the election, but he always won as he related to the public opinion, as he supported small businesses and free-market competition, and he was against all monopolies, as many citizens were.


4. What legislation did Wilson use to attack trusts and monopolies?

Wilson, during his presidency, had used Congress to create 2 antitrust acts: The Clayton Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Clayton Antittrust Act was passed in 1914, which prohibited corporations rom acquiring the stock of another if doing so would create a monopoly; if a company violated the law, its officers could be proseute. This act was used by Wilson mainly to attack trusts and monopolies, which was his main goal during his time in office. The Federal Trade Commission was also created in 1914, which gave an agency the power to investigate possible violations of regulatory statutes, to require periodic reports from corporations, and to put an end to a number of unfair business practices. This act was very successful as it led to almost 400 cease-and-desist orders to companies engaged in illegal activity.

5. What was the Nineteenth Amendment?

The Nineteenth Amendment, winning final ratification in August 1920, granted women the right to vote. This was significant as for 72 years women had been trying very hard to gain this right, and it was finally granted to them. This made women feel more equal and important.

6. How did America's entry into World War I affect the reform movement?

America's entry in World War I affected the reform movement greatly, as the women were very helpful. During the war, patriotic American women who headed committees, knitted socks for soldiers, and sold liberty bonds had been rewarded by being granted the right to vote. Thanks to America's involvement in WWI, women were granted the right to vote due to their help in the war.