Progressive Presidents
The Three Presidents of the Progressive Era
Theodore Roosevelt
Report Card
Leadership – A
The nation adored his leadership and ruggedness and listened to what he had to say. When he encouraged people to vote for Taft, he won the presidential election, even though eventually Roosevelt regretted this. He also led the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American war, and had experience as a governor, Secretary of the Navy, and Vice President of the United States before he became president.
Organization – A
Roosevelt accomplished many things in office and was very organized. For example, he passed the "Square Deal", which conserved natural resources, controlled corporations, and protected consumers. His Business Regulations involved stopping monopolies with the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Roosevelt's Environmental Concern helped him to create the National Monuments Act, which created national parks and protected places like the Grand Canyon.
Professionalism – B
Though he accomplished many things, Roosevelt was not always professional. He was known for by many of being rugged and like a cowboy. He often had much shenanigans going on at the White House as well, such as taking a Pony into the Elevator for rides, and allowing his 6 children to run rampant. He was sturdy and strong on the outside though, so only a few points were deducted for other unprofessional things.
Contributions – A
Roosevelt had a great impact on America and is most remembered for being a great, rugged, free-spirited man. He is credited with having good foreign involvement,especially in dealing with the Russo-Japanese war, as he is praised for having negotiated the peace deal. He also added to the Monroe Doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary, which allows the U.S. to engage in a U.S. territory's affairs. He also helped to create the Panama Canal which was beneficial to many people. He then acquired Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay in Latin America.
William Howard Taft
Report Card
Leadership – B
Taft began as a well-liked president because he was endorsed by Roosevelt, but later as his ideas strayed from Roosevelt's, the people and the former president began to dislike him. He did however, veto a bill that would impose a literary test on unskilled laborers, which included many African Americans, so many people benefited from this.
Organization –B
Some of his ideas were murky and were misunderstood by congress and the people. His stance on big business and tariff proposals often confused people. He did however, raise income tax and raise government revenue by $13 million. He also used "Dollar Diplomacy" to secure loans in Latin America and Asia.
Professionalism –B
Not everyone admired Taft because of his vague stances on many issues. The public was annoyed by this and he was not elected a second time. However, he always acted and stayed professional in office.
Contributions –A
Taft gave many contributions to the United States, which involved much "Trust Busting". He busted more trusts and monopolies than any other president. His social and governmental reforms involved raising revenue, vetoing congresses act to impose literary tests on poor citizens, and his open-door policy.
Woodrow Wilson
Report Card
Leadership – A
The nation did believe in Woodrow Wilson and followed his lead, with his famous slogan, "He kept us out of war" in mind. Even when Wilson did have the United States enter World War I in 1917, he still had the support of the people as they began to see America as a hero to Europe.
Organization – A
Wilson was quite organized and he accomplished many things in office. Wilson’s New Freedom was passed, and this helped small businesses and farmers. He then passed the Underwood Summons Act, which reduced taxes and tariffs that previously had not favored small businesses. He made some Antitrust laws, including the Federal Trade Act and the Antitrust Act, which specified illegal business actions and investigated them. He also reformed banks with the creation of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Farm Loan act, which helped farmers to get loans.
Professionalism – A
Wilson stayed professional while in office and was mostly well-liked. The public agreed with him because he "kept them out of war".
Contributions – B
Woodrow Wilson also began to become concerned with Women's Suffrage, and in 1920 he helped to finally get the 19th amendment passed. For the most part he avoided foreign engagement but eventually did join the war to help the allies because of the Zimmerman Telegram.However, Wilson did wrongly send troops to occupy the coasts around Mexico when unrest occurred there. An Anti-American Mexican, Pancho Villa was killing people around the border, and Wilson was unable to stop him. But later Wilson did help write the treaty of Versailles to end the first World War.