Progressivism found its way into the American way of life early in the 1900s. As the name implies, it is a belief based on the concept of progress, encouraging the advancement of several social and political reforms to better the lives of Americans.
Supporters of Progressivism believed that problems on all levels of government could be resolved simply by pinpointing issues in society and improving the lives of the people. Voices of progressivism concentrate on exposing the gnarly truths of corporate greed and introducing the idea of a democracy. Although the reign of these progressive ideas died with World War 1, it helped pave the way to America’s democratic ideas to this day.
Theodore Roosevelt was elected into office during a time of political and economic change. Not only were were corporate monopolies swinging out of control, but Americans were calling for industrialization. Roosevelt’s actions revolved around the central idea of giving Americans the “square deal,” or a more ideal and equitable society. With the US government’s full support, he tackled 44 suits against corporate monopolies and was a key player in the enactment of the Pure Food and Drug Act along with the Meat Inspection Act. Both of these acts to better food quality raised
Roosevelt’s popularity almost overnight, leading the people to urge him to run for a third term even though he was only serving his first year on his second term. As an outdoorsman, he devoted time and effort into placing 230 million acres under federal protection, along with the creation of 5 national parks. A key characteristic that places
Roosevelt above the other two is his leadership skill. He threatened to use the military
to forcefully taking the mines and run them as a federal operation when management refused to negotiate. This decision made by Roosevelt shows his willingness to acquire his goals no matter what the cost. A dominant president and aggressive supporter of Progressivism, Woodrow
Wilson intended to lead the United States with an iron fist. Wilson’s administration essentially changed the character of the president position by leading the country in a way comparable to the Prime Minister of England. In April 1913, he appeared personally in front of the House and Senate to elaborate on his new ideas, something that hadn’t been done since John Adams’s era. Wilson believed that the rich should be stripped of their unnecessary privileges, whereas the poor would have an expanded economic opportunity and chronologically tackled some of the reformations required, such as the currency problem and everlooming tariff problems. A turning point for the women’s rights movement was when the 19th amendment was put in effect, giving women the right to vote. The Child Labor Act was also signed to eliminate child labor, but was later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1918. He also advocated the
Workingmen’s Compensation Act, which provided financial assistance to federal employees injured on the job.
William Howard Taft was