William Howard Taft's Childhood and Education:
Taft was born on September 15, 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a lawyer and when Taft was born helped found the Republican Party in Cincinnati. Taft attended a public school in Cincinnati. He then went to Woodward High School before attending Yale University in 1874. He graduated second in his class. He then went to the University of Cincinnati Law School (1878-80). He was admitted to the bar in 1880.
Taft was born on September 15, 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a lawyer and when Taft was born helped found the Republican Party in Cincinnati. Taft attended a public school in Cincinnati. He then went to Woodward High School before attending Yale University in 1874. He graduated second in his class. He then went to the University of Cincinnati Law School (1878-80). He was admitted to the bar in 1880.
Family Ties:
Father: Alphonso Taft - lawyer and public official. He was President Grant's Secretary of War.
Mother: Louisa Maria Torrey Taft.
Siblings: Two half-brothers, two brothers, and one sister.
Wife: Helen "Nellie" Herron - Daughter of a judge.
Children: Two sons - Robert Alphonso and Charles Phelps; one daughter - Helen Herron Taft Manning.
Father: Alphonso Taft - lawyer and public official. He was President Grant's Secretary of War.
Mother: Louisa Maria Torrey Taft.
Siblings: Two half-brothers, two brothers, and one sister.
Wife: Helen "Nellie" Herron - Daughter of a judge.
Children: Two sons - Robert Alphonso and Charles Phelps; one daughter - Helen Herron Taft Manning.
William Howard Taft's Career Before the Presidency:
Taft became assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County Ohio upon graduation. He served in that capacity until 1882 and then practiced law in Cincinnati. He became a judge in 1887, U.S. solicitor general in 1890, and judge of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court in 1892. He taught law from 1896-1900. He was Commissioner and then Governor-General of the Philippines (1900-1904). He then was Secretary of War under President Roosevelt (1904-08).
Taft became assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County Ohio upon graduation. He served in that capacity until 1882 and then practiced law in Cincinnati. He became a judge in 1887, U.S. solicitor general in 1890, and judge of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court in 1892. He taught law from 1896-1900. He was Commissioner and then Governor-General of the Philippines (1900-1904). He then was Secretary of War under President Roosevelt (1904-08).
Becoming the President:
In 1908, Taft was supported by Roosevelt to run for president. He became the Republican nominee with James Sherman as his Vice President. He was opposed by William Jennings Bryan. The campaign was about personality more than issues. Taft won with 52% of the popular vote.
In 1908, Taft was supported by Roosevelt to run for president. He became the Republican nominee with James Sherman as his Vice President. He was opposed by William Jennings Bryan. The campaign was about personality more than issues. Taft won with 52% of the popular vote.
Post-Presidential Period:
Taft was defeated for reelection when Roosevelt stepped in and formed a rival party called the Bull Moose Party allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win. He became a law professor at Yale (1913-21). In 1921, Taft got his long desired wish to become Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court where he served until one month before his death. He died on March 8, 1930 at home.
Taft was defeated for reelection when Roosevelt stepped in and formed a rival party called the Bull Moose Party allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win. He became a law professor at Yale (1913-21). In 1921, Taft got his long desired wish to become Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court where he served until one month before his death. He died on March 8, 1930 at home.
Historical Significance:
Taft was important for continuing Roosevelt's antitrust actions. Further, his Dollar Diplomacy increased the actions that America would take to help protect its business interests. During his time in office, the last two contiguous states were added to the union bringing the total up to 48 states.
Taft was important for continuing Roosevelt's antitrust actions. Further, his Dollar Diplomacy increased the actions that America would take to help protect its business interests. During his time in office, the last two contiguous states were added to the union bringing the total up to 48 states.
Events and Accomplishments of William Howard Taft’s Presidency:
In 1909, the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act passed. This changed the tariff rates from 46 to 41%. It upset both the Democrats and the progressive Republicnas who felt that it was just a token change.
In 1909, the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act passed. This changed the tariff rates from 46 to 41%. It upset both the Democrats and the progressive Republicnas who felt that it was just a token change.
One of Taft's key policies was known as Dollar Diplomacy. This was the idea that America would use the military and diplomacy to help promote U.S. business interests overseas. For example, in 1912 Taft sent marines to Nicaragua to help stop a rebellion against the government because it was friendly to American business interests.
Following Roosevelt into office, Taft continued to enforce antitrust laws. He was key in bringing down the Standard Oil Company in 1911. Also during Taft's term in office, the sixteenth amendment was passed that allowed the U.S. to collect income taxes.
