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Compare And Contrast Roosevelt And The Progressive Era

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The ascension of Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency marked a dramatic turning point in bringing meaningful reform in America because he was the first ever president to lead hands on and believed that the government should serve as an agent of reform for the people. Roosevelt abandoned his Republican counterparts’ ideals of a ‘laissez-faire’ economy and turned to helping the American people through welfare programs and minimum wage laws. Above all, Theodore Roosevelt served as a voice for the masses and implemented what they had long desired. Around 1902, exposing the evils of industries, politicians and the rich and famous was a very hot industry. Authors such as Lincoln Stephens revealed the corrupt alliance between big business and urban …show more content…

The Progressive era saw the practice of the Australian ballot which foiled political machines. This tremendously helped in increasing voter turn over and liberated voters who felt forced to vote for certain candidates. Passed in 1903; the Elkins Act imposed heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates and upon the shippers that accepted these rebates. The improved ‘Elkins Act’, now called the Hepburn Act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission the power to set maximum railroad rates and halt free passes to loyal shippers. Set under Wilson, the Underwood Tariff reduced in importation fees and added an income tax on incomes over three thousand dollars, increasing government revenue. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission Act gave the Commission (presidentially appointed commission) the power to monitor interstate commerce and crush monopolies and unlawful competition. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act soon followed and banned price discrimination, interlocking doctorates, exempted labor and agricultural organizations from anti-trust prosecution and legalized strikes and peaceful picketing. In essence, these acts paved the way for more democracy and reminded corporations that the government was the

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