Which president do you believe was best at reform during the Progressive Era and why?

By the 1900s, due to the United States involvement in foreign affairs, it had become a world power as intended. Still, America's upper class and businesses were on top of the economy. Businesses were rarely disturbed by government and practically operated on their own. Though the upper-class was prosperous, it left the rest of the population, other than the middle-class, in a slum lifestyle. Farmers experienced foreclosure, Blacks were "second-class", and women were still not allowed to vote or run for political office. They were still considered as subordinate to men. It was reform minded middle-class citizens, that made an effort to address the faults undermining American society. This became to be known as the Progressive Era. People such as Jacob Riis (How the Other Half Lives), Upton Sinclair (The Jungle), Ida Tarbell (History of the Standard Oil Company), and Frank Norris (The Ocopus), show how some of American society viewed the plight of the civilization. Three presidents played important roles in the Progressive Era. They were Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. All three presidents played important roles of trying to reform society. Of the three presidents, Theodore Roosevelt was the most important and sucessful in reforming society with his Northern Securities suits, regulation of railroads, his involvement in the reform of big business, and care for the environment.


During Roosevelt's presidency, many reforms were passed intended to better society and was in light of the Progressives. In 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor was created. Also, Passage of the Elkins Act (1903) strengthed the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. It required railroad companies to charge published rates. Also, the Bureau of Corporations was created, intended to investigate anitrust violations. One percent of corporations were responsible for producing 40 percent of manufactured goods. An important example of fighting monopolies would be Northern Securities v. United States(1904) where a railroad company controlled all long-distance railroads west of Chicago.

Regulation of railroads was an imporant aspect of Roosevelts reform movement. The Hepburn Act (1906) empowered the ICC. It set maximum railroad rates and establishe other regulations. Railroad companies did not favor government intervention but did not disagree with fair rules of competition. Also, Passage of the Mann-Elkins Act (1910) strengthed the ICC(William Taft, Roosevelt's successor). It gave the ICC power to regulate new communications industries. Also, the ICC was given more authority to regulate railroad companies haul rates. Railroad companies usually charged higher prices for transportation of passengers and commodities for a longer journey.

In 1906, big business was attacked when the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspetion Acts barred sale of contaminated and adultered food. A book by Upton Sinclair intitled The Jungle also attacked the meat industry. It made society aware of the conditions in meat packing industries. Conditions in meat packing industries became so disgusting that fingers were being found in meat.

Roosevelt aslo felt for Americas environment. He felt there should be a balance between industries and America's natural resources. He was a part of the Newlands Reclamation Act Bill. It added 150 million acres to national forest reserve. The establishment of Conservation Congress meant to address national conservation. Also, appointment of Gifford Pinchot to head Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry.

Roosevelts became known as "trust buster". Though his succesor, William Taft busted twice as many trust in four years as Roosevelt did in eight. Theodore Roosevelt had good intentions for American society and felt that he was making the right decision be designating Taft as his successor, though this turned to be a big mistake. Taft was a "weak president and a weak man"-P.Brush. Though some felt that the only reason Roosevelt challenged corporate giants and seemed in favor of the worker was to protect the economy, regardless, Roosevelt had best intentions and outcome of his presidency.

In Conlusion, this is how president Theodore Roosevelt was the best president during the Progressive Era. His involvemnet in American society and big business made a difference in society. Overall, it was Theodore Roosevelt who was most important in reforming society with his Northern Securities suits, regulation of railroads, his involvement in the reform of big business, and care for the environment. Which all reflect on society today.