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Progressivism

Progressivism Theodore Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” and Woodrow Wilson’s “New Freedom” were revolutionary thoughts in the early part of the 20th century. Well ahead of its time were the economic intervention policies introduced by these Presidents to transform America into a strong and fair country. The main concern of these “progressives” was the abuse of power by government and businesses. Even though Wilson’s plan and Roosevelt’s plan would differ in several ways, the nationalistic tone was quite similar. They both believed in government intervention into businesses that were abusing the countries inability to control monopolies, exploitation of minorities, women and children etc. Roosevelt could have been labeled the “Father of Progressive Reform”. Where as Wilson may have been called the ”Grandson of Progressive reform” as he was carrying on the domestic policies that Roosevelt had initiated. Obviously they two separate men with distinguishable views but how much different were they? Did they want opposite things for the United States? What exactly did Roosevelt mean when he said, “reform is conservative”? Since the U.S. was not at war at the time when Roosevelt fell into the presidency after McKinley’s assassination, he needed to sink his feet into domestic policy and get something done. Roosevelt knew that this was a sure-fire way to gain public support. Roosevelt sought to create what he refered to as the “Square Deal”. Essentially it was that Americans were not to be given special treatment because they had wealthy or because they were indigent. In this way I believe that that Wilson and Roosevelt were suggesting the same notion of equality. Wilson said he wanted to provide “an equal opportunity for all in a capitalistic society”(mini-lecture #45 Koudelka). When coal workers in Pennsylvania wanted increased pay and to work less hours or they were going to go on strike, this was Roosevelt’s opportunity to put his “Square Deal” Theory to the test. So he did by sending in negotiators on both sides to resolve the impending disastrous situation. Both sides came to amicable resolutions. Wilson on the other hand would have gone into a situation like that of the coal strike of 1902 with a stronger hand, so to speak. Wilson frowned on big business in every circumstance, and saw it to be the demise of America as a whole. Wilson would have gone into Pennsylvania and shut it down and replaced those who were striking with those who would appreciate that job. Break down the big businesses so that there is a chance for competition and less necessity to monitor and or regulate big businesses with the fear that they may become a monopoly. Roosevelt embraced big business and industry and saw it as a “natural development and has done much good” (Mini-lecture #44 Koudelka). Wilson thought of Roosevelt’s actions as extreme and a radical movement. He thought that Americans had the means to make good moral judgement on the labor issues and they would so act upon these thoughts. Roosevelt on the other hand would make the decisions for the American people and almost force views on the people as opposed to interrupting their wants and needs as expressed. Wilson wanted to return to old styles in regard to the law and to maintain traditional institutions. Roosevelt forged ahead with his own ideals. He passed several “laws for the people”, without asking them what they really wanted. Although he made definite progress in ensuring the safety of food through the Meat Inspection act of 1906. Along with the Pure Food and Drug Act which helped eliminate the sale of in effective drugs to the public. Maybe his most effective endeavor was the extension of governmental control over land that was not being properly monitored. He passed the Newlands Reclamation Act, which took full advantage of the vast amounts of unchecked lands. Land is and will always be key in any political effort through out history. It would become clear years after that this particular land act would prove to be most beneficial to the expansion of the United States. Roosevelt and Wilson had similar views on some aspects though. They both believed in the in the stopp of Child Labor as in 1916 Wilson recognized The Keating-Owen Act, which put a stop (for the most part) to the exploitation of child labor. Together they shared the view of basic equality. In the reading I have found that they had a little more insight into where the country needed to be. The regulation of government was inevitable and equality was paramount. Weather it was equality in the work place and receiving the same pay for services rendered. Or if it was the equal opportunity of business in America to thrive and to have a fair shot at making a profit without the chance of big business annexing them and or simply just shutting them out of business. These thoughts were quite comtemporary in early 20th century, Yet the tone was quite conservative. As Roosevelt said once “Reform is conservative”. What I understood to be Roosevelt’s message was that we needed a new idea and not to fall back on the thoughts of 18th century aristocrats. I don’t think that either Wilson or Roosevelt denied that the constitution was and always will be the backbone of The United States Government but America needed new thoughts and actions. Reform has a connotation to digress in a certain sense and these two men had no plans of moving backwards in the political arena. Their next step would always be forward with controversial laws and revisions of old thoughts. The domestic policy agendas of Wilson and Roosevelt were cutting edge. They were unmistakably distinct but both had the nationalistic form whose goal was to strengthen the States into an economically prosperous place. As well as prepare America and Americas people for a new way of living.. Bibliography: Works Cited Koudelka. Lecture notes. American Civilization. AMH 1000. Florida State University, Tallahassee Florida. Mini-Lecture #99F-43 Koudelka. Lecture Notes. America Civilization. AMH 1000. Florida State University, Tallahassee Florida. Mini-Lecture #99F-44 Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation.- Third Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 2000. Document Packet- Document 22.2.1-Theodore Roosevelt, “New Nationalism”. Document Packet- Document 22.3.1- Woodrow Wilson, The New Freedom, 1913.

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