The early 20th century brought about political, social, and economic changes as well as the steady incline of innovation and development of technology. This steady growth in policies and reform is known as the Progressive Movement. Two president’s during this time period were leaders of the progressive movement, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. While both of these men were advocates of political reform and social activity, the two presidents had differing opinions on what policies needed to be enacted. Theodore Roosevelt was a more effective president than Woodrow Wilson because Theodore Roosevelt's conservation efforts, domestic policies, and foreign policies had a greater impact on the development of American society.
Claim 1: Conservation
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This rapid expansion of the west resulted in the destruction of wildlife as Americans pillaged the frontier for mineral and wood resources. Theodore himself was a huntsman, rancher, and enthusiast of nature, so the destruction of the land appalled him. In response to the destruction of the environment, the Newlands Act of 1902 was passed which authorized Washington to “collect money from the sale of public lands in the sun-baked western states and then use these funds for the development of irrigation projects”(Bailey, Kennedy and Cohen). As a result of this act being passed, dozens of dams were built across the western frontier within the upcoming decades. Furthermore, Roosevelt also set aside 125 million acres of land to preserve the nation’s forests. Theodore Roosevelt enacted a law and policy that for the coming years preserved the nation’s frontier. His actions are the reason why the wildlands were not only preserved during his time in office, but for nearly an entire
During the Progressive Era, pressure from labor, suffrage, and conservation movements profoundly changed the course of American history. Many of the reformers' ideas clashed with the male-dominated, capitalist economic structure present at the turn of the century. Some of the intended reforms opposed the current system, but the level of social unrest necessitated change. Businessmen and activists alike initiated the reforms during the Progressive Era. Government, due to the intention of calming the common man and quieting the seemingly more and more vocal middle class, supported them. In the final analysis, from the year 1900 to 1920, Progressive Era reformers were successful in bringing about reform to the United States.
In the first two decades of the twentieth century the national political scene reflected a growing American belief in the ideas of the Progressive movement. This movement was concerned with fundamental social and economic reforms and gained in popularity under two presidents. Yet Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson espoused two different approaches to progressive reform. And each one was able to prevail upon congress to pass legislation in keeping with his own version of the progressive dream. These two people, although they had different principles in mind, had one goal: to make changes to the nation for the better of the people and the country. Setting out to reach this goal, Roosevelt came to be a president of the common man while
Roosevelt was a true conservationist at heart. The Theodore Roosevelt Association stated, “As a boy, Theodore Roosevelt wanted to be a naturalist, a scientist who revels in and examines nature,” and he was “…an avid adventurer and lover of nature, dedicated himself to protecting both wildlife and natural resources” ("The CONSERVATIONIST"). As the President, he never forgot his dreams as a child, and he set out to preserve an immense amount of US regions so all Americans could enjoy. He especially had the future generations in mind ("The CONSERVATIONIST"). He realized something must be done for he believed at the rate of deforestation, and harvesting of other recourses, it wouldn't take long for it all to vanish. To fight the recourse of losing all the rich natural resources and splendorous landscape across the US, he created national parks and landmarks to preserve and protect these beautiful natural miracles. “Roosevelt provided federal protection for almost 230 million acres of land,” for national use, so these majestic places were protected from harm due to commercialism ("The CONSERVATIONIST"). He established 150 national forests, 5 national parks, the 1st of 51 federal bird reservations, 24 reclamation, and 4 national game preserves, including 18 national monuments in his time. By establishing these parks and landmarks, it allowed Americans and tourists, alike, the
Teddy Roosevelt was a very strong influence during the progressive era; He used his power a president to get what he wanted as a progressive. He helped things like the pure food and drug act pass, and used the Sherman Antitrust act to dissolve Carnegie's Monopoly. He was a very strong leader and was not about to be pushed around, so it was very good to have him as president during the Progressive era when some are fighting for the new and some are fighting for the old.
Theodore Roosevelt's 'Square Deal' and Woodrow Wilson's 'New Freedom,' were both programs of reform. Roosevelt covered more areas of reform than Wilson (who focused mainly on economy), and was more of a progressive than Wilson was. As a governor and the first president of the era, Roosevelt set a terrific example of what a president of this time should do. 'Progressing' from bad, and implementing various reforms to do so defined the era. These two programs are comparable in the areas of antitrust, tariff, and labor reform. Though Wilson seemed to have many more acts in each category, mostly economic), he only acknowledged these few areas, unlike Roosevelt who acknowledged a whole array of areas such as labor, economy, politics, consumer
The Progressive Era was a time period between the years 1900-1920 and it marked a time in American history in which society was bursting with enthusiasm to improve life in the industrial age by making political and social changes through government action that ultimately led to a higher quality of life for American citizens. Progressives were known for their beliefs in limiting the power of big business, strengthening the power of the states, and were advocators against corruption and social injustice. These progressive reformers as well as the Federal Government successfully managed to improve the quality of life and establish a precedent for a move active government, although neither was completely successful in solving significant
In the period of time following the Reconstruction Era the Progressive era came about, presented with abundant opportunity but also hindered by significant economic, political, and social issues. America was pining for a leader who could provide solutions to all of these issues, caused by rapid industrialization. In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt emerged as a leader for the progressivism movement, which focused on reforming the major issues that society faced at that time such as fear of immigrants and corporate greed. Roosevelt was recognized as a friend to the common people as well as a trustbuster, and this furthered his reputation as being the savior of the issues of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s because he pushed to reform as many obstacles presented to him as he could. Even though he gained his presidential spot due to the assassination of President McKinley he still proved to be the most effective president in dealing with the issues of the late 1800s and the early 1900s.
The beginning of the twentieth century was a time of great social change and economic growth in the United States. The progressive era was a time in which Americans were innovating in social welfare. In the progressive period the government needed to take action in the role of economy, regulating big business, immigration, and urban growth. Once the great depression happened in which America’s economy faltered people started to panic. For Americans the main issues asked were how to make society work more efficiently. The great society era was a time of optimism after the post-world war II occurred. The creations of new federal programs were developed for those who were in need due to poverty, being disabled or old age.
Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency marked the beginning of a very liberal period in American history. This new ‘Progressive Era’ was mobilized largely by the middle class as an attempt to put an end to the problems created by the period of excess that was the Gilded Age. Believing that big business was ruining democracy, and assuming a moral obligation to shield the poor and downtrodden from corrupt capitalists, the Progressives commenced an era of sweeping reforms. From the outset, the Progressive movement targeted domestic issues such as political machines, monopolies, and factory regulations. While President Roosevelt—the face of the Progressive movement—frequently became entangled in global affairs during his time in the Whitehouse, the focus of Progressives during this stage remained primarily on domestic concerns. It was not until after Roosevelt’s presidency that the Progressives followed their patron’s lead, becoming active participants in foreign affairs. Theodore Roosevelt’s exit from the spotlight and subsequent return to politics in 1912 caused the Progressives to split from the Republican Party, and when war broke out in Europe in 1914, Progressives were then divided amongst themselves regarding how the Great War should be handled from afar. As foreign policy issues became a larger concern than domestic issues, the Progressives shifted their attention away from home and toward foreign policy.
Progressivism originated as the optimistic vision that society was capable of improvement, and that continued growth and advancement were the nation's destiny. This, however, would require direct, purposeful human intervention in social and economic affairs. Progressive reformers wished to limit the disperse authority and wealth by empowering the government to regulate or break up trusts at both state and national levels. They also believed in the importance of social cohesion. Individuals were not autonomous; rather they are each part of a great web of social relationships. Therefore they pushed for reforms to help women, children, industrial workers, immigrants, and even African Americans to
Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt were two of America’s great presidents. This is why I feel that both men were equally important in what they did and said they would do. Both in their own ways have added a little of what makes this country what it is today. Both had their own beliefs of how reform, empowerment of the people and foreign policy should be accomplished. As president, the main goal was to do what they felt best for the American people. In doing so, how different could they really be?
Two great men, two great presidents, led our nations to excellency and great success. Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were hard working, intelligent men who were very familiar, but were also different in many aspects. Through their dedication to our country and their passion of politics they have made our country better.
During the Progressive Era from 1890-1920, America saw three new presidents: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. This period of time is known as the Progressive Era due to the political and social changes made to move away from a laissez-faire government to a more active government by the administrations of these presidents. Prior to this period, Americans had to suffer through poor working conditions, low wages, social and class inequality and become victims to large corporations that took advantage of the people. In particular, the administrations of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson established the key principles and ideas of economic reform and social reform, which would end up returning the power from the manipulative corporations back to the government, establishing a model for a more active role for the federal government, and improve the lives of Americans. However, even though Roosevelt and Wilson had similar intentions of reforming America, they both had different means of achieving it.
Vladamir Lenin and Woodrow Wilson were two competing visions in the new world order. In 1917 submarine warfare created new interests that threatened the lives of the United States. This new world order would not need the backings of the back room deals that had been going on before. Two weeks after Wilson had given his speech Lenin had arrived to discuss his famous “ April Theses”.Lenin thought that the war would lead to a capitalist nature. While Wilson wanted to extricate the world from European geopolitics. Lenin and Wilson both believed in ideology they believed that this could take away imperialism. Foreign policy had already begun to be driven under imperialism. As the Cold War began ideology began to lead into internationalization and
Woodrow Wilson ushered in a new era with his 1887 essay, “The Study of Public Administration.” His unique perspective explained the evolving science of public administration, and the need to perfect it. Wilson discussed the dichotomy he believed should exist within public administration; politics should be separate from the bureaucracy of the government’s daily routine. Wilson also believed the government must be run as efficiently and cost effectively as possible, similar to a business; and, while politics should be kept at a minimum, public opinion should be embraced Upon its creation, it may not have been practical for the United States government to be run as a corporation. However society had grown more complicated; which was seen by the influx in population, and the creation of a public debt.