Compare and Contrast the three presidents during the Progressive Era. Which was the best in reforms?

The early 20th century was an era of business expansion and progressive reform in the United States. Know as the Progressive era dominated by the middle class. They worked to clean up corrupt city governments, to improve the working conditions in factories, and to better living conditions for those who lived in dreadful areas. During this time which consists of three progressive presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. Who each contributed at least one aspect to the U.S. Roosevelt accomplished much especially in the areas of protecting public health, protecting the rights of workers, and even the safeguarding the nation's environmental resources. Wilson proceeded under the New Freedom to pass a program of domestic reform, including the Federal Reserve Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, and the establishment of the Federal Trade Commission. Taft was most notable for trust-busting, in which he broke up large businesses that had too much control over the economy. Taft also expanded civil service, fixed up the United States Postal Service and promoted world peace as well. Yet throughout the Progressive Era the most progressive president was Theodore Roosevelt. He was considered a trust-buster, attacked big business, applied his square, and promoted the conservation movement.



Teddy Roosevelt although he was part of the Republican party he did a lot with relation to industry and capitalism that had turned the United States into a superpower. He was able to gain ground as a trust-buster; going after extremely powerful businessmen. He also helped to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. The country had gone to industry and they especially had to be regard to food, safety and quality. Since he passed the clean food act he threatened to take away the property of companies, and he brought some trusts to court and won, and he eventually established a national park system. Theodore Roosevelt was the most important and effective progressive president he conserved land and forest being a conservationist who loved outdoors wanted to conserve wildlife. One of the things that he did was to urge congress to develop the United States Forest Service. He did the Panama Canal, resolved issues in the Russo Japanese war, and made the Open Door Policy.


Roosevelt also introduced his Square Deal which was fair treatment not to just one race or social class but to all, equal treatment. It also ended the Laissez Faire. During his presidency there were many Acts passed, the Sherman Anti trust Act, Elkins Act which made it illegal for the railroads and shippers to offer rebates. The Hepburn Act which gave the ICC the power to set maximum railroad rates, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and Meat Inspection Act.


Woodrow set up FTC or Federal Trade Commission to investigate illegal business practices. The FTC could put a halt to the illegal business practices by issuing different orders. Wilson also had a part in certain Acts and amendments for instance the sixteenth which provided the feral income tax, the eighteenth amendments which helped institute alcohol, and the nineteenth which gave women the right to vote. Wilson also had a strong belief in peace which was ironic since the United States entered World War I, Wilson provided effective wartime leadership, and he put effort in his skill to the postwar peace agreement for a new League of Nations. This even won him a Noble Peace Prize.



Taft was most notable for trust-busting, where he broke up large businesses that had too much control over the economy. Taft also who was the successor of Roosevelt seemed to be a slight disappointment to him. He was the complete opposite of Roosevelt, who wanted low tariffs Taft chose high, which resulted in the Payne-Aldrich tariff. Unlike Roosevelt, Taft never attacked business or businessmen, yet he did launch 80 anti trusts including one against U.S Steel. One thing in common with the presidents was the goal to promote peace.


Theodore Roosevelt although a republican was the most progressive president during the Progressive Era since he applied the square deal in his presidency, turned the U.S into a superpower, attacked big businesses, established different types of Acts, tariffs, and trust. Compared to the other presidents Roosevelt accomplished more than the other two did. Wilson promoted peace then went to war; Taft even went against his own party. Thus Roosevelt proved to be the most progressive.