The Progressive Era is one of the reasons America still stands strong today. It lasted from the 1890’s to the 1920’s and seeked to reform American policies and government. There are 3 main people who have contributed to the Progressive area - Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. These three presidents enforced and introduced laws and regulations that allowed more flexibility and choice for the people, and they are still in use today. If it weren’t for them, America would still be overly ruled by corporations and silenced by the government and our people would be sick.
The 1912 Election and the Power of Progressivism: A Brief History with Documents by Brett Flehinger is about the four Presidential candidates during the election of 1912, their political parties and campaigns. The book shows how opposed each candidate 's platform was and which problems the candidates agreed on. The book has documents from this time to further aid in understanding what exactly was happening. None of the candidates, however, were as different as Theodore Roosevelt and his predecessor, William Howard Taft. Their platforms and ideas regarding trusts, direct democracy and courts and the constitution differed greatly, whilst they agreed on the important issue of women 's suffrage.
Presidents of Progressive Era During the Progressive Era, America society experienced immense changes in regards to business, politics, ethnic. Taking on the huge responsibilities, the presidents of that period, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, actively worked toward equality and social justice. Following by the assassination of President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, at his middle age with an exuberant personality, succeeded to the office. He was a preservationist, a trustbuster, promoting “Square Deal” and food safety policies. However, his major contribution to the era was on railroad regulation which eliminated corruption in interstate commerce.
The “Trust-Busting” Progressive President In the late 19th century, the idea of progressivism began to emerge from rapid industrialization and urbanization. Muckrakers and other progressive citizens created a hunger for truth after exposing scandals and corruption within healthcare, politics, and businesses. The people of this era responded to the economic, social, and political problems that arose. Progressive presidents were elected to office to create change in America.
Theodore Roosevelt is one of the American presidents who are remembered for the changes that they brought or made in this nation. He was the 26th president of the United States and he is remembered for his transformations and important quotes which are useful today. Theodore Roosevelt was the most youthful president in the historical background of America amid that opportunity to be in office. He had not yet turned forty three years, the required age, when he got to be a president. He played a major role in transforming the federal government and the transformations made are still in effect today (viewpoint article; Beale). He was able to end one of the major wars and as a result of this success he was able to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
2. Theodore Roosevelt was considered to be the “First Modern President because he had a strong- firm personality, and showed aggressive actions towards others. Roosevelt believed that the President had the right to use all power unless they were denied to him. Also, that he has a responsibility to the people, and so challenged himself to avoid notions of limited government and individualism; the government he controlled should maintain as an agent who should give the people what they want. Roosevelt’s presidency opened up creativity of progressive movement, lending the prestige of the White House to welfare legislation, government regulation, and the conservation movement.
FDR Vs. LBJ Because of their position in the government, Americans have such high standards for presidents. However, a lot of the time presidents are criticized more for their mistakes rather than their accomplishments. As Michael Siegel shows in his book President as Leader “presidential leadership is exercised by real, flawed human beings, and not by superheroes or philosopher-kings beyond the reach of scrutiny or critique.”
People had low wages, especially women and children also, not only were they getting hurt, most of them were facing life-risking jobs. Eventually, Theodore Roosevelt took action with a campaign slogan, square deal, that pledged to balance the interests of business, consumers, and labor. Progressives made sure that women and children had higher pay, better working conditions and and less hours in a work day. Elections and voting rights were changed up. Now that elections were without fraud since political machines were put to an end, the progressives introduced many new election reforms.
The labor unions helped so the owners could not take advantage of the workers. The discontent between the working class and big business owners was very important for the entire country, so President Theodore Roosevelt used his power as the President to pass laws fitting to the progressive era. He proposed a number of legislative measure to protect the health and welfare of the public and the environment. He helped to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. Roosevelt also intervened in coal strikes on the side of the workers to help force the owner to negotiate.
When comparing Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson’s stance on foreign and domestic policies, there are similarities and differences. One iconic phrase we associate with Roosevelt, “speak softly and carry a big stick,” justly depicts his stance on foreign policy. Roosevelt sought after prestige for America, desiring to stand out among the nations in power and strength. At times, Roosevelt’s foreign pursuit was aggressive and resulted in conflict such as the Spanish-American War, and resistance to Roosevelt’s Corollary. But it did lead to advances of the construction of the Panama Canal, and the absorption of power over the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba and Hawaii. Roosevelt also made a great impact on domestic policy with the introduction
Government oversight of big business (monopolies) and child labor were serious issues during the early 1900 's. Progressives were a group of reformers during these years that were fighting to "purify" the government, and eliminate political bosses and the corruption frequently connected with them. There were four main goals of the Progressives, fostering industrial efficiency, creating economic reform, promoting moral improvement, and protecting social welfare. The two Presidents that shared commitment to enacting these major social reforms were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt, through use of the Square Deal, promoted the conservation movement and placed millions of acres of land under federal protection to preserve America
Compared to the era’s earlier presidents, Roosevelt stands out to be incredibly socialist and sought to expand federal power like no incumbent had done before. FDR tried to put his mark
Teddy helped shape history because he wanted everyone to have a better life whether they be in America or outside the country. He gave us better working conditions, a more sanitary way to process the meat being sent out through America and helped keep a lot of our national parks and beauty of nature for generations to come. Teddy Roosevelt is man we can all look up to. He shows that we can be peaceful but that we should not be bullied by others. He showed this by negotiating peacefully and ending wars but also wasn’t afraid to show the power of his country and go to war himself.
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. Even before the progressive era, women challenged their place and articulated new visions of social, political and economic equality. The progressive era was a turning point for women as organizations evolved fighting for equal rights. Woman began to become very involved in a variety of reform movements.
President Woodrow Wilson was the last of the Progressive Presidents and as such caused great economic, political and social change. He served between 1913 and 1921 during which he imposed economic change through reforms, both national and international political change and a change in the role of women, giving them the right to vote. The effects of Wilsons presidency created abundant change within American society that had long lasting impacts. Political change was imminent in Wilsons second term as he was given emergency presidential power to, in some cases, bypass Congress, to speed up the law-making process. For example, he imposed the Selective Services Act in 1917 which authorised conscription in the US so that the military could be built up quickly and would not have to rely wholly on volunteers; according to Khan Academy this was well received by the American public as they were incredibly patriotic and believed it was their responsibility to support their nation, as such few men dodged.