The Progressive Presidents
A Comparison
Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909
A New York governor who became the 26th U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt is remembered for his foreign policy, corporate reforms and ecological preservation. At age 42, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt became the youngest man to assume the U.S. presidency. Making his unofficial policy of “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” Roosevelt bulked up the U.S. Navy and created the "Great White Fleet," sending it on a world tour as a testament to U.S. military power. He also helped expedite completion of the Panama Canal by providing tacit approval of the Panama revolution with funds and a naval blockade preventing Colombian troops from landing in Panama. President Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. Teddy Roosevelt's energetic vision helped bring the nation into the new century. America owes nearly 200 million acres of national forest and parkland to his foresight—some of which can be viewed atop Mount Rushmore, where Roosevelt's visage is carved in memorial.
Theodore Roosevelt
TR
The Latest Arrival At The Political Zoo
Grade: A+
He worked to improve american lives through the creation of "the Square Deal" which created welfare legislation and government regulation on industry. He also increased american influence world-wide through the building of the panama canal and the adding of the Roosevelt corollary to the Monroe doctrine which then allowed the united states to oversee much of the western hemisphere.
Organization Grade: A+
He Felt that the government had the right to regulate big business in order to protect the welfare of society. Also him passing the Hepburn Act highlighted his ability to balance competing interests in order to achieve his goals.
Professionalism Grade: A+
He effectively used the "Bully Pulpit" method, he was the first president to use media to reach out to the american people in an effort to pass the Hepburn Act.
Contributions Grade: A+
He streranch overall for the generation to come. He also set aside over 230 million acres of land for national parks and reserves. HE created one of the most significant third parties in the united states to this day.
William Howard Taft 1909-1913
William Howard Taft, who served as both the 27th president of the united states and later the 10th Chief justice of the united states. He is the only person to have presided over both the executive and judicial branches of the United States Federal Government. William Howard Taft's first public office was as Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, in 1881. Then, at age 30, he served as judge on the Superior Court in Cincinnati for three years, before being appointed Solicitor General of the United States in 1890
Grade: C
appointed to serve on the superior court of Cincinnati in 1887.Appointed solicitor General of the united states 1890. Appointed as a judge on the united states court of appeals for the sixth circuit in 1891. Appointed Governor-General of the Philippines in 1900. Appointed Secretary of war in 1904.
Organization Grade: C-
The Man -Elkins Act of 1910 suspended high railroad rates. He busted over 90 trusts during his one and only term in office. Ballinger re-opened lands that had been conserved by Roosevelt for corporate development. Pinchot disagreed with this and in the matter and was fired by Taft. (this angered Roosevelt who now realized that Taft was not living up to his legacy)
Professionalism Grade: D
He was liked by a decent amount of Americans, he was indecisive when making decisions. He took no initiative in getting things done. Also because of the revolution in Nicaragua, he deployed 2500 marines there for 13 years.
Contributions Grade: C
HE busted over 90 trusts/monopolies. The Man-Elkins Act of 1910 suspended high railroad rates. Encouraged "Dollar Diplomacy" and said that the united states invest in foreign areas .
Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921
Woodrow Wilson "Schoolmaster in Politics" the 28th president of the united states. He was remembered for his high-minded idealism, which appeared both in his leadership on the faculty and in the presidency of Princeton University, and in his national and world statesmanship during and after World War I. Wilson’s accomplishments have been re-made with the passage of time and with changes in the United States. In 1910 Wilson accepted the Democratic nomination for governor of New Jersey, he won the election in a landslide. His ambitious and successful Progressive agenda, centered around protecting the public from the abuse of trusts, earned him to be known worldwide, and in 1912 he won the Democratic nomination for president.
Grade: A
He lead his Democratic Party to win control of both the White House and Congress in 1912. He was awarded the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize for hi sponsorship of the League of Nations.
Organization Grade: A
HE induced a conservative Democratic Congress to pass a progressive legislature agenda, The Clayton Antitrust act, Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, and Federal Income Tax. He passed the 19th amendment, giving woman the right for woman to vote.
Professionalism Grade: A
He claimed progressive ideals. He believed in attacking larger concentrations of power to give freedom to the average citizens. He wanted to enact a program he had thought of during his time as governor: "New Freedom" (planned to attack the "triple wall of privilege": the trusts, tariffs, and high finance)
Contributions Grade: A+
He reduced child labor with the Keating-Owen Act of 1916. He also passed the Adamson Act, which ultimately created the eight hour work day. He induced a conservative Democratic Congress to pass the progressive legislature agenda including: the Clayton Antitrust act, Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, and Federal Income Tax