ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Biographics William Howard Taft: Bathtubs, Bull Moose, and Betrayals
When people think of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, they often recall the amusing but false tale of him getting stuck in a bathtub. This story has overshadowed his significant contributions and fascinating life. Sandwiched between the dynamic presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Taft’s term is often overlooked. However, his life and career were far more than just a humorous anecdote.
William Howard Taft was born on September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a family known for its remarkable achievements. His father, Alfonso Taft, was a prominent lawyer who served as Secretary of War and Attorney General under President Ulysses S. Grant, and later as ambassador to Austria-Hungary. Taft’s older brothers also had successful careers, setting a high bar for him to follow.
Despite the pressure of living up to his family’s expectations, Taft was naturally charismatic and well-liked. He excelled in making friends and was popular both at school and at home. However, this admiration came with its own challenges, as Taft often felt the weight of high expectations, leading to self-doubt and anxiety.
Taft’s academic journey was impressive. He graduated second in his class at Yale and quickly passed the bar exam at the age of 23. He began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he became a respected figure in society. During this time, he met Helen Herron, known as Nelly, who shared his ambitions and encouraged him to pursue greatness.
In the early 1890s, Taft moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as Solicitor General, where he befriended a young Theodore Roosevelt. Their friendship would later play a significant role in Taft’s career. In 1900, President William McKinley appointed Taft as the first civilian governor of the Philippines, a role in which he worked to improve conditions and establish a civil service.
In 1904, Taft returned to Washington as Secretary of War under President Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s decision not to run for re-election in 1908 paved the way for Taft’s presidency. However, once in office, Taft’s shift towards conservatism alienated the progressive wing of the Republican Party, leading to tensions with Roosevelt.
The 1912 election was a turning point for Taft. With Roosevelt running as a third-party candidate, the Republican Party was divided. Taft’s campaign struggled, and he received only 23.2 percent of the popular vote, winning just two states. This marked the end of his presidency and his career as an elected official.
After leaving the White House, Taft found his true calling in the judiciary. In 1921, President Warren Harding appointed him as Chief Justice of the United States, making Taft the only person to have served as both President and Chief Justice. In this role, he made significant contributions to the Supreme Court, leaving a lasting impact.
Taft retired from the Supreme Court in 1930 and passed away shortly thereafter. Although he is often overshadowed by his more famous predecessors, Taft was a kind and intelligent man who ultimately found fulfillment in his role as Chief Justice, achieving the greatness he had always sought.
Research William Howard Taft’s tenure as Chief Justice of the United States. Prepare a presentation highlighting his major contributions to the Supreme Court and how they have impacted the judiciary system. Focus on specific cases or reforms he was involved in and present your findings to the class.
Participate in a debate discussing whether William Howard Taft’s presidency or his role as Chief Justice had a more significant impact on American history. Form teams, research both aspects of his career, and present arguments to support your position.
Create a detailed timeline of William Howard Taft’s career, from his early years to his retirement. Include key events such as his roles in government, his presidency, and his time as Chief Justice. Use visual aids to make the timeline engaging and informative.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you simulate William Howard Taft’s decision-making process during a significant event in his career, such as the 1912 election or a major Supreme Court case. Discuss the challenges he faced and the factors that influenced his decisions.
Write an essay exploring William Howard Taft’s legacy beyond the infamous bathtub myth. Analyze his contributions to American politics and law, and discuss how his achievements have been overshadowed by this myth. Reflect on the importance of understanding historical figures beyond popular anecdotes.
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Ask anyone to name one fact about William Howard Taft, and you’ll likely get a reply along the lines of him getting stuck in a bathtub. Today, the 27th president exists only as an amusing anecdote, a punchline to a joke about overeating. Even those who know the bathtub story is false tend to know little else about him. Sandwiched between the presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Taft’s one term can seem like just a pause in the story of America’s progressive era. That is a terrific shame because William Taft was more than just a waistline. On a human level, he was arguably one of the most fascinating presidents.
Born to an over-achieving family, Taft had a CV that few others could dream of: first civilian governor of the Philippines, professional governor of Cuba, and the only man to ever serve as both president and chief justice. Yet he spent his life haunted by a profound fear of failure. Today, we’re investigating the life of William Howard Taft, one of America’s most overlooked presidents.
When William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 15, 1857, it was into a family for which the term “high achievers” was an absolute understatement. His father, Alfonso, was a lawyer who would go on to serve as Secretary of War and Attorney General under President Ulysses S. Grant and also as ambassador to Austria-Hungary under Chester Arthur. Taft’s two older brothers from his father’s first marriage would go to Yale and then into blisteringly successful careers. Amid all of this excellence, Taft would have a hard time standing out.
Yet the future president never had to work to get anyone’s attention. From an early age, the entire family was convinced that he was destined for great things. Although he was extremely bright and possessed a sharp mind, Taft wasn’t a once-in-a-generation prodigy. He was clever and good at baseball, but where he really shined was his ability to get along with everybody. He was genial, self-deprecating, and genuinely warm-hearted, able to walk into a room full of enemies and leave five minutes later with a new set of best friends. At school, he was popular; at home, he was his mom’s favorite, his dad’s favorite, and even his siblings’ favorite.
However, while this might sound like the perfect recipe for creating a spoiled child, in Taft’s case, the exact opposite happened. Placed on a pedestal and told he had greatness within him, Taft instead seemed to doubt himself, haunted by anxiety and an internal critic that whispered in his ear that he wasn’t good enough. It has even been suggested that his well-documented struggles with overeating were a coping mechanism for dealing with the pressure of expectations.
For all his private torment, Taft was publicly a man living the dream. At Yale, he graduated second in his class before studying law and passing the bar at the age of 23. He took up a post as an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County, soon becoming a respected member of high society. It was also during this time that he discovered his two great loves: the law and Helen Herron, known as Nelly. She was the hyper-ambitious match Taft’s family felt he deserved, and after they wed in 1886, Nelly became another voice encouraging him to achieve greatness.
In the early 1890s, Taft was summoned to Washington to take up the prestigious post of Solicitor General. There, he made friends with a young civil service commissioner from New York named Theodore Roosevelt. The two would often walk together, dreaming about their careers. Little could they have known that both their dreams were soon going to come true.
In 1900, a telegram landed on Taft’s desk summoning him to see President William McKinley, who wanted Taft to become the Philippines’ first civilian governor. The islands had been handed to the United States after the Spanish-American War, but the Filipinos felt they should belong to them, leading to an insurrection. Taft took the posting, relocating with Nelly halfway around the world. He never did anything half-heartedly and aimed to improve conditions in the Philippines, humanizing U.S. policy and establishing a civil service.
In 1904, Taft received another telegram, this time from Roosevelt, offering him the position of Secretary of War. Taft was on board, and he returned to Washington just in time to witness Roosevelt win a grand victory in the November election. Roosevelt publicly promised not to run again in 1908, which set the stage for Taft’s presidency.
Once in office, however, Taft would abandon his progressive roots and drift slowly into conservatism, nearly condemning the Republican Party to annihilation. His presidency was marked by a series of missteps that alienated the progressive wing of his party, leading to a bitter rivalry with Roosevelt.
In the 1912 election, Taft faced a divided Republican Party, with Roosevelt running as a third-party candidate. Ultimately, Taft’s campaign failed to gain traction, and he received only 23.2 percent of the popular vote, carrying just two states. This marked the end of his time in the White House and as an elected official.
After leaving office, Taft declared that he didn’t miss politics, but he was soon offered a seat on the Supreme Court by President Warren Harding. Taft agreed, and in 1921, he was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States, becoming the first person to hold both the executive and judicial branches of government. As Chief Justice, Taft was far more consequential than he had been as president, overseeing significant changes in the Supreme Court.
Taft retired from the Supreme Court in 1930 and passed away shortly after. Today, he is one of the lesser-remembered presidents, often overshadowed by his more famous predecessors. However, he was a kind and intelligent man who ultimately found fulfillment in his role as Chief Justice, achieving the greatness he had always sought.
Taft – William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the 10th Chief Justice of the United States, known for his efforts in trust-busting and judicial reform. – Taft’s presidency was marked by his commitment to antitrust legislation, which aimed to dismantle monopolies and restore competitive markets.
Presidency – The office and function of the president, particularly in a republic, encompassing the executive authority and responsibilities of the head of state. – The presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt is often studied for its transformative impact on American society during the Great Depression and World War II.
Election – A formal and organized process of electing or being elected, especially of members of a political body. – The election of 1860 was pivotal in American history, leading to the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War.
Government – The governing body of a nation, state, or community, responsible for making and enforcing laws and policies. – The structure of the federal government in the United States is defined by the Constitution, which establishes the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Judiciary – The judicial authorities of a country; judges collectively, responsible for interpreting the law and administering justice. – The role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law is crucial, as it ensures that laws are applied fairly and consistently across all cases.
Achievements – Accomplishments or successes, particularly those that have significant impact or importance in a historical or governmental context. – One of the major achievements of the Civil Rights Movement was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Conservative – Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change, particularly in the context of political and social institutions. – The conservative movement in the United States gained momentum in the late 20th century, advocating for limited government and free-market principles.
Progressive – Favoring or advocating progress, change, or reform, especially in political matters. – The Progressive Era in the United States, spanning from the 1890s to the 1920s, was characterized by widespread social activism and political reform aimed at addressing issues such as corruption, inequality, and workers’ rights.
Supreme – Highest in rank or authority, particularly in the context of a nation’s judicial system. – The Supreme Court of the United States plays a critical role in interpreting the Constitution and can influence significant legal and social changes through its rulings.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often focusing on the analysis and interpretation of records and artifacts. – Understanding history is essential for comprehending the complexities of modern governance and the evolution of political systems.
