An investigation into American president Theodore Roosevelt’s impact on the Progressive Era

THEODORE ROOSEVELT:

PROGRESSIVE ERA

An investigation into American president Theodore Roosevelt’s impact on the Progressive Era

IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE AMERICA WITHOUT THEODORE ROOSEVELT. HIS IMPACT

ON AMERICA SPANS GENERATIONS, AND FOREVER CHANGED THE COURSE OF

AMERICAN HISTORY. HERE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT SEVERAL ASPECTS OF ROOSEVELT IN

THE PROGRESSIVE ERA.

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MENUThe life of Theodore Roosevelt is such a big topic that we could easily spend a year just on him. We do not have a year, however, so we will be looking briefly at several aspects of his career during the Progressive Era, when he was president. Your Choices are:

BACKGROUND

THE SQUARE DEAL

TRUST BUSTER

CONSERVATIONIST

QUIZ

Progressive Era

The Progressive Era is considered to have existed from 1890-1920. During this time, issues in society, such as living conditions of immigrant and other low-income workers, were identified. Businesses were growing with the economy, but growing too powerful. The land of the USA was being used and reused faster than we could sustain. Things had to change.

The Rise of ImmigrationOne of the most consequential events leading up to the Progressive Era was the flood of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe in the latter half of the 1800’s. These people could hardly speak English and tended to be mistreated by businesses who hired them. Their living conditions were poor and income tiny.

The Rise of Industrialists

As industrialization increased America’s economy and power, it also increased the divide between rich and poor. Industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller controlled massive amounts of wealth, and whole categories of the economy (steel, coal, shipping, etc).

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Left: Andrew Carnegie , Right: John D. Rockefeller

TR’s Square Deal

Having seen the conditions of the poor in America, Roosevelt campaigned for reelection on the idea of the Square Deal, his set of programs intended to help the working people of America in their daily lives.

Labor

Laborers, both immigrants and settled Americans, were working under poor conditions. Roosevelt’s Square Deal, by introducing wage protections, an 8 hour work week, and increased requirements for workplace safety.

Miners, Sailors, Factory Workers

Laborers in America often had very dangerous jobs, and the Square Deal legislation set stricter safety regulations for the most dangerous jobs; mining, food processing, industrial workers, etc.

The Dawn of Accountability

As the Progressive Era continued, regulations not just for work hours and safety, but for employer responsibility, also came into effect. Employers were now responsible for the conditions of their work sites. If an employee was injured on a railroad construction job, then they could sue the employer.


What is a Trust?A trust is simply a large business that owns and controls a significant amount of its suppliers and resources. Trusts at the turn of the century were the largest companies in the world, paying some of the lowest wages for hard, unsafe work.

Trust-BustingBecause trusts held so much power and wealth, they could unfairly direct the whole economy and keep competition out of business. Roosevelt took great pleasure in fighting trusts, going on to break up some of the world’s largest companies and opening up the economy for greater participation and competition.

The Sherman Anti-Trust ActThe Sherman Anti-trust act, passed in 1890, allowed Roosevelt a decade later to go after the largest trusts in the country. Railroads, steel, and oil companies all were broken up, with the result that by the end of Roosevelt’s term the economy was more competitive and less centralized around only a handful of companies.


Conservation

TR was a noted outdoorsman, who always seemed ready to go hunting, fishing, mountaineering, and more. America’s natural beauty was being used up at an alarming rate, and Roosevelt advocated and signed laws intended to help support efforts at conservation.

National ForestsDuring the Roosevelt presidency, the number of national parks rose dramatically. With the Transfer Act of 1905, all federally-owned land was transferred to the Department of the Interior, setting up the modern National Park System.

Birds and Other WildlifeConservation is not simply limited to the land. Those organisms that live on the land are also subject to projections under the policies of TR. Roosevelt set up large bird sanctuaries in Alaska, the west coast, and more. With the introduction of new regulations regarding building through federally-protected land, wildlife conservation became a priority.


What Did You Learn?

IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION, YOU WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION FROM EACH SECTION. BE CAREFUL TO READ THE QUESTIONS FULLY AND THINK ABOUT YOUR CHOICE BEFORE YOU CLICK. GOOD LUCK!

Question 1: BackgroundWhen was the Progressive Era?

1. 1890-1930

2. 1890-1920

3. 1880-1920

Question 1: Good Guess, But Try Again!

When was the Progressive Era?

1. 1890-1930

The Progressive Era did begin in 1890, but it did not end in 1930. Try Again!

Question 1: Correct!


2. 1890-1920

Very Good!

Question 1: Good Guess, But Try Again!!


3. 1880-1920

1920 is the end of the Progressive Era, but 1880 is not the beginning. Try again.

Question 2: The Square DealWhat was the purpose of the Square Deal?

1. To provide for the safety of workers and fair wages

2. To prepare against war with Germany

3. To make America as modern as today

What was the purpose of the Square Deal?

1. To provide for the safety of workers and fair wages

These are just two of the many ways in which the Square Deal helped change the lives of workers in this country.


What was the purpose of the Square Deal?2. To prepare for war against Germany

Even though war with Germany would come within a decade, that was not the focus of TR’s square deal. Try Again!


What was the purpose of the Square Deal?2. To make America as modern as it is today

While the changes happening during this time are for the most part positive, they are just the beginning of a process of change which is continuing today. Try Again!


What is a trust?

1. A company that earns the trust and admiration of its customers

2. A company that establishes accounts for its employees to go to college

3. A large company that owns a significant amount of the resources and services it needs

Question 3: Trust Busting

What is a trust?

1. A company that earns the trust and admiration of its customers

We are not discussing the word “trust” in that context. Try Again!


What is a trust?

2. A company that establishes accounts for its employees to go to college

People working in factories at this time would never have had any prospects of going to college. Try Again!


What is a trust?

3. A large company that owns a significant amount of the resources and services it needs

Correct! This is a trust. Very Good!


What law led to the Interior Department gaining control of the federally-controlled land?

1. Transfer Act

2. National Parks Act

3. Clean Air Act

Question 4: Conservation


1. Transfer Act

Correct!



2. National Parks Act

The name of the law is not the National Parks Act. Try Again!



3. Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act would not be passed for decades yet. Try Again!

Question 4: Try Again!

Congratulations!You have just completed the lesson. Be sure to click on the button at the bottom right of the screen to return this lesson to the title screen.

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An investigation into American president Theodore Roosevelt’s impact on the Progressive Era