Chapter 9: Progressivism Takes Hold

Chapter 9 follows the Progressive era as it unfolded during the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

Section 1 explores Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt's expanded use of presidential power established him as the first modern President. Exercising his presidential muscle, he pursued progressive reform, crusaded for consumer protection, and championed conservation and resource management projects. When Roosevelt challenged the monopolies of trusts and settled a major labor strike, the public hailed him as the defender of the public interest. After two terms, Roosevelt left office and William Howard Taft stepped up to the presidential plate to continue Roosevelt's progressive policies.

Section 2 describes the 1912 election and Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom plan. Voters had a variety of choices in the 1912 presidential election—4 candidates! While Roosevelt stirred things up in his own party, Wilson's progressive New Freedom plan won over voters. After he was elected President, Wilson demonstrated the power of the presidency by taking an active role in shaping legislation and crafting reforms affecting tariffs, the banking system, the trusts, and the rights of workers. He brought his role as president into focus by directly addressing Congress and the press. Wilson's presidency saw progressive reform ideals result in laws that delivered practical results.

Section 3 identifies the obstacles to and shortcomings of the Progressive movement. For African Americans, the Progressive era meant continued poverty, discrimination, and legalized segregation. Despite the efforts of African American leaders such as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, the United States was still a nation deeply scarred by racism. Progressives usually ignored and sometimes strongly opposed African Americans' pleas for equality. Immigrants too were targeted with discrimination. Under pressure by nativists and labor unions, Congress passed discriminatory restrictions on immigration during the Progressive era. Meanwhile, labor unions became impatient with the pace of progressive reform, and some began calling for radical new ways to change the economy.