Which Progressive President was the “best” at Reforming Society?

The Progressive Era was essentially a cry for help, from the working class people of America. It was the time for a dramatic upheaval in political and economic democracy. Three brave men had the tenacity to take this concept under their wings and transform American life for the better. Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson each had differing policies on reform and progressivism. Taft although being elected under progressive ideals was engulfed in the conservative way of life. Wilson on the other hand had a thorough plan for progressivism, but would be crushed by the evident calls of WW1. Roosevelt on the other hand proved to be the “common man”. He was able to embrace the idea of progressivism influenced by the “muckrakers” and cater to his conservative counterparts as well. Roosevelt was the ultimate progressive president because he could relate to the American struggle and at the same time knew when too much progressivism would cap America’s chance for success. Of the three progressive presidents, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was the best at reforming society between 1900 and 1920 by his Square Deal policy, Northern Securities suits, regulation of railroads, and worker compensation plan.


Coming into the presidency after the death of McKinley, Roosevelt had very little of a plan. Putting himself in the shoes of the citizens of America he soon found out that foreign policies that geared toward imperialism would not achieve his goal, it was time for a change. Enacting his Square Deal policy Roosevelt fought to protect and improve control of corporations, consumer protection rights, and conservation betterment. Unlike Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson abandoned Roosevelt’s conservation ideals. Taft even fired Gifford Pinchot, Roosevelt’s chief conservation advisor. His deal was put in place to make everything “fair and square” but even the best of plans have its flaws. His square deal was to blame for such disturbances as the Panic of 1907 and the Triangle Shirtwaist company fire. Society reacting to such turbulence completely embraced progressivism and being a president for the people, so did Roosevelt. Helping pass such acts as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906, Roosevelt truly cared about the common man.


Roosevelt had passed America’s social test of morals but with a lagging American economic his next test was not far behind. The progressive movement had sprung from union beliefs and was constantly trying to make the American market place both fair and just. Monopolies crowded the American consumer sphere and it was the president’s job to clean it up. Northern Securities was exactly the case Roosevelt needed to improve his status as the progressive president. Although he dissolved many monopolies in his day, Taft achieved almost double that amount and still became disowned by his political colleagues. Roosevelt’s anti-trust suits may have been less than that of Taft’s but the fact was, he was the first President to ever attempt to side with American workers. This would not only prove beneficial to workers but in the long run “big business” as well.


Although Woodrow Wilson passed a revolutionary Clayton Anti-Trust Act which in turn would replace the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, he was still eons behind Roosevelt. Roosevelt in an effort to curb worker and consumer attitudes about the workplace passed the Elkins Act of 1903 and the Hepburn Act of 1906. These rights of passage did what presidents were trying to do during the early 1800’s, heal the leftover wounds the Industrial Revolution had left behind. Roosevelt used progressivism as a tool to change his society and in retrospect, changed history as well. Woodrow and Taft had virtual nothing to do when it came to railroads because the citizens had spoken, and Roosevelt had acted.


The cause of the progressive movement was to cease corruption in the American workplace and in the earlier 1900’s it was deeply needed. Decades earlier scenes that resembled New York Five Point’s district was exactly what Americans had to deal with on a daily basis. All of the conservation necessities including the Carey land Act and the Newlands Reclamation Act in the Untied States would not keep a crook from becoming a thief. Accorded to the presidencies of Woodrow Wilson and William Taft they could remain as such, what was needed was a progressive touch. Roosevelt saw possible votes being mistreated and neglected in the workplaces; it was time for a change. As seen in the Anthracite coal strike dilemma, Roosevelt sided with the little guy, the workers and forced the company to recognize the union’s struggle and hardships. The “little bull moose” that could succeed in being one of the most progressive motivated presidents of the United States of America.



The differences and similarities of the major three Progressive presidents: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and William Howard Taft were immense. Roosevelt’s progressive legacies drastically surpassed the efforts put in place by the triple wall of privilege and the dollar diplomacy. Roosevelt became the voice of the people as he was able to balance political, social, and economic progressive principles to mold a nation. Although such presidents as Taft surpassed Roosevelt economically, he was the only man to bring about the greatest political and economic change. He built Forest Preserves, fought against the “big business”, and stood up for what he believed in, Roosevelt was really the voice of a new generation.



Extra Credit
Hetch Hetchy Valley is a humongous basin in Yosemite National Park that at one point and time was almost filled by a reservoir! Many protestors including John Muir and the Sierra club lead conservation protests against the eminent doom. President Woodrow Wilson and congress passed the Raker Act of 1913, allowing San Francisco to build the dam and reservoir, drowning this beautiful valley of lost hopes and dreams. This was the first time that Roosevelt conservation philosophy had been desecrated… and it wouldn’t be the last.