Presidency of William Howard Taft

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The Presidency of William Howard Taft began on March 4, 1909, when William Howard Taft was inaugurated as the 27th President of the United States, and ended on March 4, 1913. Taft, a member of the Republican Party, was the handpicked successor of Theodore Roosevelt, under whom he had served as Secretary of War.

Domestic Policies

Taft's domestic policies were characterized by his efforts to continue Roosevelt's progressive reforms, though he often faced criticism for not being as aggressive as his predecessor. One of his significant achievements was the establishment of the United States Postal Savings System, which aimed to provide safe and convenient banking services to the public.

Antitrust Actions

Taft was known for his vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws. His administration initiated 80 antitrust suits, including a notable case against the Standard Oil Company, which resulted in the company's breakup in 1911. This was a continuation of Roosevelt's policy but was executed with greater legal precision.

Tariff Reform

One of the most contentious issues during Taft's presidency was tariff reform. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act of 1909 was intended to lower tariffs but ended up maintaining high rates on many imports. This led to significant dissatisfaction among progressives within the Republican Party.

Conservation Efforts

Taft's administration also focused on conservation, though his efforts were often overshadowed by those of Roosevelt. He established the Bureau of Mines to oversee the extraction of mineral resources and protect miners. However, his dismissal of Gifford Pinchot, a close ally of Roosevelt and a leading conservationist, led to a rift within the party.

Foreign Policies

Taft's foreign policy, known as "Dollar Diplomacy," aimed to promote American financial and business interests abroad, particularly in Latin America and East Asia. This policy sought to replace military intervention with economic influence.

Relations with Latin America

Taft's administration worked to stabilize the economies of several Latin American countries through loans and investments. This approach was intended to create favorable conditions for American businesses and reduce European influence in the region.

Relations with East Asia

In East Asia, Taft continued Roosevelt's policy of maintaining a balance of power. He supported the Open Door Policy in China and sought to strengthen ties with Japan through diplomatic negotiations.

Judicial Appointments

Taft appointed six justices to the Supreme Court of the United States, including Edward Douglass White as Chief Justice. His judicial appointments were generally conservative and had a lasting impact on the Court's decisions.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office, Taft served as a professor of law at Yale University and later achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1921 to 1930. He remains the only person to have held both the presidency and the chief justiceship.

Related Pages

• William Howard Taft
• Theodore Roosevelt
• Woodrow Wilson
• Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act
• Dollar Diplomacy
• United States Postal Savings System
• Standard Oil Company

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