HIS 405 Week 5 Case Study – Essay

Name

Chamberlain University

HIS-405 US History

Prof. Name

Date

Theodore Roosevelt: Progressive Leadership

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was known for his progressive leadership. At the age of 42, Roosevelt became the youngest person to assume the presidency. He is widely regarded as one of the most active and confrontational U.S. presidents, contributing significantly to the advancement of the American progressive movement. Roosevelt believed that Americans needed to embrace progressivism for societal advancement. This section explores Roosevelt’s definition of a progressive, particularly in the context of his leadership and vision for America.

Topic	Details
Youngest President	Theodore Roosevelt became the U.S. President at 42, the youngest in history.
Role in Progressive Movement	Roosevelt was pivotal in pushing forward the American progressive movement, encouraging societal progress.
Definition of Progressive	Progressivism, according to Roosevelt, emphasized consumer protection, environmental conservation, and corporate regulation.

The Progressive Characteristics

In his speech titled “Who is a Progressive,” Roosevelt detailed the characteristics of a progressive. He highlighted the need for consumer protection, environmental conservation, and the regulation of corporations. A progressive, according to Roosevelt, is someone who has an optimistic outlook on life, constantly looking for ways to improve society. Progressives are forward-thinking and eager to solve societal problems. This forward-looking mindset is essential in fostering progress and addressing critical societal challenges.

Topic	Details
Optimistic Outlook	A progressive possesses a hopeful and forward-looking perspective on life.
Social Contributions	Progressives actively seek solutions to societal issues and contribute positively to community growth.
Corporate Regulation	Roosevelt called for greater corporate control to protect consumers and conserve resources.

The Anti-Progressives

Roosevelt was critical of those who opposed progressivism, calling them anti-progressives. These individuals, he believed, threatened societal well-being by prioritizing material wealth over human rights. Anti-progressives were uninterested in environmental preservation, contributing to practices such as worker exploitation and unfettered capitalism. This group’s main concern was wealth expansion, often at the expense of the general population’s well-being. Roosevelt emphasized that anti-progressives opposed democratic principles and fostered institutions that eroded checks and balances in governance.

Topic	Details
Disregard for Human Rights	Anti-progressives prioritize wealth and materialism over respecting human rights.
Lack of Environmental Concern	They often show little interest in environmental preservation.
Promotion of Unfettered Capitalism	Anti-progressives advocate for policies that favor unrestricted capitalism, widening the wealth gap.

Progressivism Goals

One of the main objectives of Roosevelt’s progressive agenda was to establish a government that truly represented the people. His agenda sought to eliminate social and economic inequalities while promoting social well-being. This included banning child labor and improving workers’ rights by advocating for better working conditions. Roosevelt also pushed for significant economic reforms to address the inequalities fostered by capitalism, which often favored big corporations. His aim was to protect American consumers and direct the activities of large industrial companies, which had adverse effects on the environment and workers’ rights.

Topic	Details
People’s Government	Progressivism aimed to create a government representing the true interests of the people.
Social Well-Being	The agenda sought to promote workers’ rights and social equity by improving labor conditions.
Economic Reforms	Roosevelt called for economic reforms to address the injustices of capitalism and protect consumers.

Society Addressed by Progressives

Progressives addressed a wide range of societal issues, including urbanization, corruption in government, and the influence of large corporations. Political corruption was one of the key targets, as progressives believed that eliminating it would pave the way for democracy. They also supported antitrust laws to prevent monopolies and ensure fair competition. Roosevelt commended earlier efforts to manage resources like water power for public interests and reduce industrialization’s negative impacts.

Topic	Details
Urbanization and Corruption	Progressives tackled issues related to urbanization and political corruption.
Antitrust Laws	They promoted antitrust laws to limit monopolies and protect fair competition.
Resource Management	Progressives supported responsible management of natural resources for public benefit.

Progressive Achievements

Roosevelt highlighted several progressive achievements in his speeches, including the recognition of his predecessors’ efforts to combat anti-progressivism. He praised legislative efforts like the Illinois Factory Act of 1893, which restricted working hours for women and prohibited child labor. Roosevelt also acknowledged the significance of initiatives that aimed to improve social welfare, protect the environment, and regulate large corporations. His emphasis on progressive ideals showed his belief that these actions contributed to the betterment of American society and the protection of workers’ rights.

Topic	Details
Recognition of Predecessors	Roosevelt commended earlier efforts to fight conservatism and promote social welfare.
Illinois Factory Act (1893)	This law restricted working hours for women and banned child labor, advancing workers’ rights.
Environmental and Corporate Regulation	Progressive achievements included efforts to protect the environment and regulate corporations for the public good.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Theodore Roosevelt viewed progressives as essential figures in advancing American society. His support for the progressive agenda underscored his belief in the need for societal reforms that benefited all citizens. Progressives worked toward improving workers’ rights, eliminating corruption, and fostering economic equity. Roosevelt’s leadership and progressive initiatives left a lasting impact on the United States, shaping the nation’s political, social, and economic fabric for years to come.

References

Corbett, P. S., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannestiel, T., & Vickery, P. (2017). U.S. History. Houston, Texas: OpenStax.

Robertson, D. B. (2015). The Progressive Era. Oxford Handbook of US Social Policy, 41-58.

HIS 405 Week 5 Case Study – Essay

The Library of Congress. (2018, October 23). The Presidential Election of 1912: A Resource Guide. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/elections/election1912.html