Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, had a tremendous impact on the nation during his presidency, leaving a lasting legacy in the form of progressive era reforms. As president, Roosevelt was a champion of progressive policies, working toward greater social justice, economic reforms, political reform, and conservationism. In this article, we’ll take a look at the major reforms Roosevelt enacted during his presidency, exploring how they continue to shape the United States today.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Agenda
Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to authentically engage in progressive politics. He was committed to reforming a system that he considered in an unequal, corrupt, and unjust state. To that aim, Roosevelt promoted several progressive-era reforms. He enacted numerous laws and initiatives to both attack corruption and to defend democratic values.
Anti-Corruption Measures
One of the biggest initiatives of Roosevelt’s presidency was the passing of the 1908 Aldrich-Vreeland Act. The act was a response to the Panic of 1907 and sought to increase public control of banking by giving the federal government the ability to regulate national banking, establish clearinghouse associations, and issue emergency currency.
Roosevelt was also at the center of battles against corporate trusts and monopolies. His anti-monopoly suit against the Northern Securities Company was the first ever anti-trust suit filed by the federal government, and laid the groundwork for the development of anti-trust laws that continue to regulate corporations today.
Further, Theodore Roosevelt worked to break up monopolies and trusts against unfair business practices like deceptive advertising, fixed prices, and price discrimination. The Sherman Anti-Trust Penalty provided him with the power to sue corporations for their anti-trust offenses.
Political Reforms
Beyond anti-trust suits, Roosevelt passed a number of legislation to promote political reform. In the interest of delivering government services more effectively, he signed the Reclamation Act of 1902, which opened new lands to agriculture. He also pushed forward the Merchants’ Shipping Act, which set nationwide standards on shipping practices.
Theodore Roosevelt also passed legislation to protect citizens’ right to vote. He abolished literacy tests, created the federal Civil Service Commission, and enforced laws requiring the secret ballot. These efforts led to heavier voter turnout and protection against voter manipulation.
Economics
Theodore Roosevelt also sought to improve economic inequality with progressive-era reforms. He repealed the gold standard, which had artificially kept the price of gold high since the 1800s. Additionally, he taxed corporate wealth to create a more equitable distribution of wealth in the United States.
Roosevelt supported a minimum wage, worked for an eight-hour workday, and organized the Department of Commerce and Labor to ensure fair labor practices and prevent worker exploitation. By the end of his presidency, a five-day, 40-hour workweek, and the banning of children from factory jobs were firmly established in the United States.
Social Reforms
Theodore Roosevelt’s reforms also saw progress in the area of social reform. He pushed through the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which regulated the packaging and labeling of consumer food and drugs. Roosevelt also improved the housing situation for the country’s working class by introducing legislation for better sanitation, plumbing, and ventilation in tenement housing.
In addition, Roosevelt sought to provide valuable services to the nation’s citizens. He opened the Department of Agriculture, which still promotes the development of rural America, and signed the National Reforestation Law, which presides over the protection of the nation’s forests.
Conservation
Theodore Roosevelt’s commitment to conservation was a major component of his presidency. At the time of his presidency, the United States was rapidly depleting many of its natural resources, leading Teddy to bolster the country’s commitment to protecting natural resources.
During his presidency, Roosevelt was able to save over 200 million acres of land, which was 27% of the nation’s total landmass. He made plans to improve the condition of the nation’s water and forests as well as create parks and monuments, including the Grand Canyon National Park and the Antiquities Act, which allowed Roosevelt to protect wildlife and monuments.
Roosevelt also established the Bureau of Forestry, which later was renamed the US Forest Service, and signed the 1909 Weeks Act, which gave the US Forest Service authority to purchase lands for the creation of the national forests.
Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive agenda continues to shape the United States today. He tackled a wide array of issues, from anti-corruption measures to social welfare and conservationism. His revolutionary reforms remain integral to the American political and economic landscape, setting the stage for the nation’s development in the years to come.
