How to Research William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States and the only president to also be the chief justice of the United States. Follow these steps to learn more about him.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet
• Books about the presidents
• Books about American history

1. Search government and history websites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of William Howard Taft--his continuation of President Theodore Roosevelt's policies.
2. Study his biographies to learn how Taft was generally deemed a good colonial governor of the Philippines. Explore his service as solicitor general and a judge in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals among others. Understand why Taft earned Roosevelt' support as secretary of war by helping to avert a threatened revolution in Cuba.
3. Look for information on how "Dollar Diplomacy" was used to promote American business interests overseas. Also look at why Taft's conservation and tariff policies angered progressives.
4. Study important legislation passed during Taft's presidency such as the Sixteenth Amendment, legalizing the federal income tax, the Mann-Elkins Act, and the Webb-Kenyon Interstate Liquor Shipments Act that outlawed liquor importation into dry states.
5. Examine other significant events in Taft's presidency such as Roosevelt's opposition to Taft in the 1912 election which resulted in Woodrow Wilson's election. Learn about his service as chief justice of the United States. Also worthy of study is the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union.