During the premature 20th century, there was a strong want to break free from the unjust and corrupt politics of the Gilded Age and to improve life for 'the employees in utter ignorance of cleanliness or danger to [their] health' (Doc B). This urge that drove the United States to change its norms was later coined as Progressivism. With progressive presidential leaders, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt, the movement of progressivism was underway with programs such as The Square Deal and The New Freedom. Over time, Progressive Era reformers and the federal government conducted subtle integration of national reform, yet their efforts often failed to meet the ideals of Progressivism. Though progressive reformers and the federal government had managed some success in bettering life for the nation as a whole, it is evident that they did not resolve the countless problems they were faced with.
It became prominent early in the Progressive Era, that tireless involvement of the federal government was an absolute necessity for major reforms to be effective. President Theodore Roosevelt was the first to seek regulation and reform at the national level. In doing so, he created a domestic program, The Square Deal, which sought to prevent labor abuses, protect the environment, and improve the overall wellness of American lives. Roosevelt played a major role in busting trusts or large monopolies, like Standard Oil along with 40 other tyrant corporations. Though he busted these corporations, he still believed that trusts were still beneficial, ultimately destroying the “bad trusts”, which abused the public, and restrained the “good trusts” which dominated the markets with low prices (Doc A). This clear distinction provided added benefits for the public, for the monopolies tended to deprive them of free competition and hold back trade. Woodrow Wilson later continued the ideology that a president should consistently lead Congress, as well as appeal to the people’s needs to gain support for his legislative program. In doing so, Wilson intended to re America and bring back conditions of fair and free competition in the economy. Wilson passed the Underwood Tariff quickly after being elected, lowering tariff rates to bring consumer prices down, and later inaugurating taxes to make up for this expense. Wilson then focused his concerns on banking reform, proposing a national banking system that would be watched over by a Federal Reserve Board. This created a sense of resistance to financial worry and could send credit directly to the public. The last part of the New Freedom program was a reform to business regulations. A key role was the Clayton Antitrust Act, which claimed that price discrimination was immoral (Doc E). This act ultimately laid the foundation for the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, helping labor organizations gain influence.
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Many citizens remained unsatisfied despite President Woodrow Wilson’s successful New Freedom program. Herbert Croly stated in an article, stating that Wilson claimed too much for what he had accomplished, furthermore, his accomplishments were insufficient for the reforms needed (Doc F). The nationwide displeasure following Wilson’s New Freedom program showcased the massive expectations, limitations, and exceptions during the Progressive era. One of the main flaws in progressive reforms was their lack of consideration for African Americans. However, even with little to no acknowledgment from the federal government and progressive presidents, black leaders like W.E.B Dubois and T. Washington argued the importance of African American reform to benefit society. Their acts of reform resulted in a handful of civil rights organizations, though none changed made a major impact on prejudiced minds. Obtaining more freedom to roam to northern states, African Americans had greater opportunities to improve their economic plight, however, discrimination and racial tension were still present. Cited in The Crisis, Du Bois depicts the reform movements that had failed to advance civil rights for African Americans as they were still highly segregated and oppressed (Doc I). Women also felt high amounts of segregation, yet with the progressive era came optimism for feminists across the nation. This women’s suffrage movement had gained a new sense of life and activism due to the inequality; reaching out for the right to vote (Doc H). Though the right was not given till later, this progressive push by women proved to be considered unsuccessful during the progressive era.
Due to an increase in industrialization, immigration, and segregation, the movement of Progressivism became the most opportune time to improve society through government actions. Though the Progressive movements during this era helped better consumer protection and business regulation, there were still notable issues that the movements had not effectively resolved, including civil rights and equality for women.
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