The Progressive Era From The 1890s-1920's

Question 1. The progressive period in US history started in the 1890s and remained current through the 1920s. Progressive leaders in the US include President Teddy Roosevelt, President William Howard Taft, and President Woodrow Willson. The main objective of progressives was to rid the government of corruption. These progressive leaders targeted political machines and worked to rid the country of monopolistic enterprises that were exploiting regular citizens.

The 1900s was a time period filled with political corruption, social inequality and injustice, discrimination, poor working and living conditions. The progressive movement resulted in response to these issues. Members and advocates of this movement were usually white (some blacks too), middle-class, Christian, college educated women (and men). They sought to achieve social justice through equality and enhance life in America for everyone. To further the nation’s democratic ideals, they hoped to incorporate reforms based on the expectations of the majority public. The Progressive Movement was a success because even though they lasted only for a short period of time, they achieved many things that today we are benefitting from, like for example

Theodore Roosevelt during the time accomplished to regulate corporate monopolies; best known as the Square Deal and earning the nickname “Trust Buster”. “We demand that big business give the people a square deal.” Roosevelt explained,” (Oakes 735). In the text, Oakes mentions how Teddy Roosevelt was responsible for establishing the Sherman Antitrust Act, which broke apart railroad giant Northern Securities Company. He even regulated business through the Elkin’s Act (1903), The Hepburn Act (1906), Federal Employers’ Liability Act of Labor, as well as consumer protection through the Federal Meat Inspection Act (1906), Pure Foods, Drug Act (1906) and

During the 20s, which became known at the Roaring 20s, American society was at an all time high and people were prospering as the nation’s wealth almost doubled and American was sent into the modern, consumer age. However following almost directly after the Roaring 20s, America entered a period of economic failure, also known as the Great Depression. During this period, the U.S faced economic, social, and political turmoil. The government and various individuals quickly sought after solutions to address the problems facing America during this time. Herbert Hoover, who was President at the start of the Depression, and his many reforms intended to revitalize the economy and create more jobs but would fail and his belief in rugged individualism

During the Progressive Era there were multiple of changes occurring that people became overwhelmed. New resources in the oil market, industrialization, fights for equality. There were many factory jobs, however, no one to stand up for the workers. So of course people will turn to their government for help, the power house of the country. However, even the government was picky in what they helped with. During this time three different president- Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson-each played a part in fixing the monopolies and corporate greed. Breaking up one company into many, securing that not one person made all the profit. Which is good for the economy, being able to share the wealth. Yet, the government didn 't bother in touching other important

He passed the Federal Reserve act and was known for his speeches called the New Freedom. The New Freedom was composed of 3 reforms, the Tariff Reform, Business Reform, and Banking Reform. The Tariff Reform was to lower tariffs and replace them with taxes instead. The Business Reform was made possible through the Federal Trade Act (which he also passed), which searched out and halted illegal and unjust business practices. For the Banking Reform, modeled after the Federal Reserve Act, made it possible for farmers to make a living by creating Farm Loan Banks.

The Progressive was a period in which new crusaders, also known as the “progressives”, engaged in combat with their society’s monopolies, corruption, and social injustice in order to “strengthen the State” and “use the government as an agency of human welfare.” This motif of these reformers was seen throughout this time and ultimately produced success stories but nonetheless fell to several limitations. As one discovers, Teddy Roosevelt known to history as the “Trust-buster” played a prominent role in launching a triumphant end to dishonest monopolies and trusts. In addition to corralling the corporations during this time, Roosevelt also impacted society with his reforms to assist the common man consumer, gaining initial inspiration from The

Continuing on with Wilson, there were two key antitrust measures that Congress added. Clayton Antitrust Act comes as the first. In 1914, this act was made to strengthen the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. The new Clayton Act did not allow corporation to gain stock to create a monopoly. If a company was to violate the law, its officers were able to be prosecuted. This act also specified the labor unions and farm organizations and gave them the right to exist, but the act would no longer accept antitrust situations. As for the second measure of antitrust, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was set up. This was the agency that was in charge of observing and investigating possible violations. Under Wilson’s control, the FTC found almost 400 orders to companies that were engaged in illegal

Has there ever been a president as influential as Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Truly Roosevelt was a unique man that lead American through one of its hardest times. WWII threatened world peace and the Great Depression was actively wearing the U.S. away. Few other times in U.S history required someone of FDR's caliber to lead America through such a storm. Roosevelt was undoubtedly meant with much success and love. However, even with such widespread success many of Roosevelt's actions must be questioned ethically.

Progressive tries to tackle many of the issues that we face today. The Progressive movement addressed the issues in factories and the liberties given to the people. With vast growth in population in concentrated areas came more technological advances. Many acts of legislation were passed during this era, especially those in the labor market. Mainly the Progressive Era had a lot of focus on the social issues of the time. But, at the same time, how the government should be run was a big issue as well. Some restrictions were put on those in society who were able to vote, at the time being predominately white middle class protestant males. Wilson’s New Freedoms Act shaped the current state of regulations for the labor market. The Progressive Era

In the period between 1900 and 1920, the federal government and reformers were very successful in bringing social, economic, and political reform to the federal government. While not every aspect of it was successful, the rights of women, fighting against child labor and limiting the control of trusts and monopolies were three distinct successes of that time.

The transition between presidents Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt marked the transformation from a weak, to a strong form of government, which became directly involved in the lives of the people. This was primarily caused by the difference in the executive leaders ideologies, where Hoover was more focused on individual responsibility and capitalism, Roosevelt was more concerned with immediate action based on government intervention. Overall, the New Deal sacrificed the amount of personal responsibility that the people had with their own economic security. The power of the federal government was strengthened, but the long-lasting effects based on the social and economic policies was beneficial for the United States.

He helped over 120,000 stranded American tourists return home from Europe and coordinated the delivery of food and supplies to Belgium citizens after the country was overrun by Germany. Hoover was appointed to the head of the Food Administration by President Woodrow Wilson when the United States entered the war in 1917. He made many things being the Head of the Food Administration. He advocated that Americans should cut on the consumption of meat and other supplies so they could have a stable supply of food and clothing for the Allied troops. After the war ended, Hoover set shipments of food and care to war-ravaged Europe. From this doing, he was recognized worldwide for his caring efforts, and received many thank you letters from people across Europe who gained from the free meals also known as "Hoover Lunches." All these great doings and outcomes gave Hoover the success of becoming the secretary of commerce under President Warren Harding. He would continue this position under President Calvin Coolidge as well. In the 1920s, Hoover helped construct a dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. This dam was named the Hoover dam and opened in

President Herbert Hoover didn’t believe that it was the federal government’s role to provide direct relief. Instead he suggested voluntarism, asking corporations to improve working conditions and wages. Lowering income taxes was another idea promoted by Hoover. If people would spend less on taxes, they would invest in stock market and purchase products. Hoover refused against any form of a welfare program. He believed giving money directly to the unemployed would strip them of their initiative, making matters even worse. But, Hoover still wanted Americans to remain confident in businesses. Through the time Hoover served as president, workers wages stayed the same. Most Americans disagreed with Hoover’s refusal to provide direct aid.

The period known as the progressive era was the one of great political and social reform in the united states throughout this era politicians and reformers began the to try to better the lives of americans though legislation and social movements their efforts helped to create a more equal and just society for all the their accomplishments were far reaching and still be felt today.