Three Presidents Reform Policies from 1901-1920 The turn of the century, was a time in which politics was in shambles. The corruption in American politics was at an all time high. The so-called "big business" was overrunning a country, which wanted a real democracy, not government in which the people did not have a say. Although immigration was at an all time high, the country was in decline. The basis of the three presidents to come would be a platform for reforms. The reform policies of three presidents had an effect on an era. This man went to a nation in dire need of a leader, an optimist, and above all save the country from drowning in it's own feces. The fact of the matter is simple. Theodore Roosevelt, was a revolutionary when it came to the political field. He made the nation new again after fifty years; he put pride in the American heart. Granted, he may have made a few arguable bad decisions, yet he breathed life into a country that was suffocating itself. Theodore Roosevelt was a great American President. In 1890 the Congress of the United States passed the Sherman Antitrust Act, this act was passed to promote Compton in the field where there may be a monopoly, by breaking up the company (Lowman 372). But it would not be until 1902 that this Act would be put to use, when Northern Securities Company was put on trial (Lowman 451). Theodore Roosevelt was the President at this time, and earned himself the nickname trustbuster, "because he used this tactic so frequent in his presidency. He put other policies in commission, which made it even easier to convict companies. One of these was the Expedition Act; the Act was put in place to speed up the antitrust cases in the courts" (Lowman 452). "But... ... middle of paper ... ...hey did the best they could, whether or not they were successful is irrelevant. Bibliography: Lowman, Michael R., George Thompson, and Kurt Grussendorf. United States History: Heritage of Freedom. Pensacola Christian College, 1998. LaFeber, Walter. The Cambridge History of American Foreign Relations: The American Search for Opportunity, 1865-1913. Volume 2. New York: Cambridge University Press 1993 Smith, Richard M., "Dawn of the Century". Newsweek. 20 November 1999: 56 Iryie, Akira. The Cambridge History of American Foreign Relations: The Globalizing of America, 1913-1945. Volume 3. New York: Cambridge University Press 1993 Andrews, Christopher. For the Presidents Eyes Only. The Avalon Project at the Yale Law School. Ed. Fray, William C. April 2000. Yale University. 1 May 2000. (http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/wilson14.html)
In the book, America’s Great War: World War I and the American Experience, Robert H. Zieger discusses the events between 1914 through 1920 forever defined the United States in the Twentieth Century. When conflict broke out in Europe in 1914, the President, Woodrow Wilson, along with the American people wished to remain neutral. In the beginning of the Twentieth Century United States politics was still based on the “isolationism” ideals of the previous century. The United States did not wish to be involved in European politics or world matters. The U.S. goal was to expand trade and commerce throughout the world and protect the borders of North America.
Theodor Roosevelt, our 26th president, was a gruff politician who had a huge impact on America. He is known for his accomplishments in the political, social, and business world during the Progressive Era. His accomplishments helped shape America, and because of this influence, he is one of the faces found on Mount Rushmore.
5 Robert H. Ferrell, America as a World Power, 1872-1945, (New York: Harper & Row
Chafe, William H. The Unfinished Journey: America Since World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Foner, Eric. "Chapter 9." Give Me Liberty!: An American History. Brief Third ed. Vol. One. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. N. pag. Print.
Bennett, William J. “America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I): From the Age of Discovery to a World at War.” Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. 247-250. Print.
During the 1920’s Republicans had dominated the white house with the two presidents of the decade being Warren G. Harding, and Calvin Coolidge.The expansion of government activities during World War I was reversed during the 1920s. The Government had eliminated its efforts to break-up trust, and to regulate businesses. Instead, the government began to emphasize on partnerships between government and business. Politics during the 1920s played a major role in the culture of the decade and the leaders of the 1920s represented the beliefs and ideas of the people during the time.
Hawley, C. (2003). U.S. foreign policy. Encyclopedia of American history: Expansion and reform, 1813-1855, 4, Retrieved August 14, 2008, from Facts on File: American History Online database.
Despite President Woodrow Wilson’s belief that the US had a responsibility to “make the world at last free,” many Americans felt overseas intervention was not justified (Document 3). Wilson thought the US to be the ultimate example of democracy and freedom. He and others supported overseas intervention without thinking of the consequences the intrusion might cause. The many instances of American intrusion overseas from 1870-1920 have evidenced my understanding that US intervention was not justified, in any context.
This leader once said “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing”, Theodore Roosevelt. There are many adjectives that describe Theodore Roosevelt my top three are; courage, intellectual and determination. Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th president of the United States of American after the assassination of President William McKinley. Nicknamed Teddy, he was one of the most popular and significant presidents ever to serve. At the age of 42 he took office and was the youngest president in the nation’s history. He leaded congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy. Roosevelt ensured the
The best way to describe Theodore Roosevelt is an “Original”, a man like no other helping shape and influence American history for the better. Most people know him for serving two terms as president and being the youngest president to serve in history. He has even won a noble peace prize for helping end the Russo-Japanese war. Being one of the few faces found on Mount Rushmore you know this man was important. Theodore believed in peace but he would not be bullied by others. He supported desegregation and women’s suffrage he was a man that wanted to improve on civil rights something not as common at the time.
The Progressive Era was a period in time where reformers wanted to make changes and improve American life during the early 1900s. Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson are three Presidents of the United States who are known as “Progressive Presidents”. Each of them set goals to modernize America, and made it what it has become today. Theodore Roosevelt was the first Progressive President of the United States.
One way he improved life throughout his presidency in America was through domestic legislation such as the Hepburn Act, Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. The Hepburn Act passed in 1906 which imposed strict control over railroads and gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set the maximum railroad rates making ICC more powerful. In addition to the Hepburn Act that was passed in 1906, was the Meat Inspection Act was passed because Roosevelt was deeply disgusted by what he read in Upton Sinclair’s book published as “The Jungle.” When Roosevelt came to a realization with the horrendously disgusting conditions and the recklessly processed meat within the food industry, he intervened by passing the law which allowed the federal government to inspect the quality of meat products to ensure that it was safe for the American consumers. Another act that was similar to the Meat Inspection Act was noted as the Pure Food and Drug Inspection act. This act was passed in hopes of regulating the products that were being sold to American consumers to prevent false advertising and to inform the consumers about the ingredients/products that they were going to be intaking, banning poisonous foods, drugs, and medicine.
One of his contributions was pushing for the Department of Commerce and Labor to be established, which concerned with controlling the excesses of big business monopolies. The department dissolved monopolies and promoted fair competition between businesses. This allowed for smaller businesses to flourish in the United States. Roosevelt also pushed Congress to pass the Elkins Act, which authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to impose fines on railroad companies that offered unfair pricing differences. This was needed because farmers were charged more than large businesses for railroad use, with an intention of large businesses gaining an increase in profit. This represents unfair business practices, which Roosevelt stood against. Along with the Elkins Act, came the influence of the Hepburn Act. This act allowed for the government inspection of railroad businesses. Along with influencing many acts, Roosevelt was also the first president to use the Sherman Antitrust Act against large businesses. By pushing for the Department of Commerce, the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act, Theodore Roosevelt broke up 40 large monopolies in the United States. Through his actions he proved to be the first president to promote fair business
Hahnimäki, Jussi. The Flawed Architect: Henry Kissinger and American Foreign Policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.