Northern Securities

president Theodore Roosevelt

Definition and Summary of the Northern Securities Case
Summary and Definition: The 1904 Northern Securities case was a federal prosecution in which President Roosevelt ordered the Department of Justice to take the Northern Securities Company to court for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act in his “trust-busting” efforts to break up Big business monopolies. The Northern Securities Company was a Trust set up by banker J.P. Morgan and railroad magnate James J. Hill. Northern Securities case was a great victory for President Roosevelt when the Supreme Court ordered the Northern Securities company to be dissolved.

Northern Securities Case for kids
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th American President who served in office from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909. One of the important events during his presidency was the Northern Securities case.

     
   

1904 Northern Securities Case for kids: Theodore Roosevelt
The Progressive Era saw the introduction of a vast range of Federal Reforms in relation to Conservation, health and safety measures, consumer protection and economic regulations. Theodore Roosevelt was the most influential of all the leaders of the progressive movement and whilst his presidency focused on efficiency and fairness he wanted to reduce the power held by Big Business and Corporations who had set up new businesses called Trusts.

1904 Northern Securities Case for kids: The Trusts
Big Businesses and corporations formed 'Trusts' which enabled them to merge businesses without violating the laws against owning other companies. The establishment of the Trusts was a way to monopolize an industry and continue the practice of regulating the supply and price of commodities.

1904 Northern Securities Case for kids: Laws to curb Monopolies and the Holding Companies
New laws were passed in response to public demand that the monopolies should be be regulated. The 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act was passed by Congress to protect commerce and trade from unfair business practices that controlled prices or limited competition. A new law was passed allowing companies to create a new organization called 'Holding Companies'. A Holding Company owned the stock of companies but did not produce anything themselves, this allowed for all of its small companies to be merged into one massive organization.

Northern Securities History for kids: J.P. Morgan, James J. Hill and E.H. Harriman
The ruthless Robber Barons of American industries fought to increase their empires, profits and power. A serious fight between some of the Robber Barons erupted on the Stock Exchange over who would gain control over the Burlington Railroad.  The railroad magnate E.H. Harriman who owned the Union Pacific Railroad wanted the Burlington Railroad. But James J. Hill, the owner of the Northern Pacific Railroads, joined forces with banker J.P. Morgan who together, also wanted to buy the railroad. The stock battle nearly triggered a financial panic. Eventually the three men joined together, bought the Burlington Railroad and created a massive new holding company called Northern Securities.

Northern Securities Holding Company: Theodore Roosevelt
The formation of the Northern Securities Holding Company resulted in an outcry by the American Public. These enormously wealthy magnates appeared to do whatever they wanted - finding loopholes such as the formation of Holding Companies. The were so powerful they believed they were untouchable. President Roosevelt made the decision to take them to task. He and his advisors believed that the Northern Securities Holding Company had formed a monopoly and was in violation of the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act.

Northern Securities: J.P. Morgan meets with Roosevelt
In early 1902, President Roosevelt ordered the Department of Justice and his attorney general to file a lawsuit against Northern Securities. J.P. Morgan was astounded and went to meeting at the White House with the President. J.P. Morgan treated the President like 'one of the boys' saying:

"If we have done anything wrong send your man to my man and they can fix it up."

President Roosevelt proceeded with the Northern Securities case. He later remarked,

"Mr. Morgan could not help regarding me as a big rival operator who either intended to ruin all his interests
or could be induced to come to an agreement to ruin none."

Northern Securities vs US: Northern Securities Case Decision
In 1904 in the Northern Securities vs US legal case, the Supreme Court ruled, four to five, that Northern Securities had indeed violated the Sherman Antitrust Law. After the federal prosecution, the Northern Securities company was dissolved.

What were the Effects of the Northern Securities Case?
Why was the Northern Securities important? The Effects of the Northern Securities case were:

● Newspapers hailed President Roosevelt as a "trustbuster"
● The popularity of President Roosevelt soared and gave credibility to his
Square Deal Domestic Policy
● The decision was seen as a victory by the Progressives and the opponents of Social Darwinism

Why was the Northern Securities Case Significant?
Why was the Northern Securities case significant? The Northern Securities case was significant because:

● It overturned the previous decision of United States vs E. C. Knight Co. in which the Court ruled that the Sherman Antitrust Act was insufficient in regulating that monopoly
● In the next 7 years a total of 44 other legal cases were fought and resulted in rulings similar to the Northern Securities case and other monopolistic companies were dissolved
● One of the break-ups were E.H. Harriman's own holdings of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads
● The power of the Big Business and Corporations was at last being checked

Northern Securities - President Theodore Roosevelt Video
The article on the Northern Securities provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 26th American President whose presidency spanned from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909.

Northern Securities Case

Facts about the Northern Securities for kids and schools
Summary of the Northern Securities in US history
The Northern Securities, a major event in US history
Theodore Roosevelt from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909
Fast, fun facts about the Northern Securities Case
Foreign & Domestic policies of President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Presidency and Northern Securities case for schools, homework, kids and children

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