Split in the Republican party (mar 1, 1909 – jan 1, 1912)

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In the early 20th century, the Republican party became harshly divided between the progressive and the conservative faction due to dissatisfaction over Taft’s leadership within the party’s progressive wing. Many Republicans felt that Taft had betrayed his progressive campaign promises and joined the conservative faction of the party. This belief was not without basis, as Taft signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff which raised tariffs on imports, even though he’s promised to do the opposite. He also fired Forest Service chief Gifford Pinchot (a conservationist who was popular among progressive Republicans) for criticizing Taft’s secretary of the interior, Richard Ballinger, who opened up public lands in Alaska for private development. Moreover, Taft refused to support the Progressives’ attempts to restrict the power of the Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon (a prominent conservative). The president also pledged his support for conservative candidates in the midterm elections of 1910 which outraged progressive Republican’s even more.

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