8.3 The Progressive Era: Theodore Roosevelt

The Progressive Era

Progressives grappled with American democracy's commitment to its values amidst rising wealth inequality. While they questioned the republic's paradoxes, their dedication to extending rights to African Americans and women was limited.

Theodore Roosevelt and Race

Roosevelt's progressivism was tempered by social Darwinism, scientific racism, and Anglo-Saxonism. He failed on civil rights, evident in the Brownsville Affair of 1906, where black soldiers were dishonorably discharged without trial after being accused of a shooting spree.

Economic and Social Justice

Economic progressives contrasted with race progressives during the Jim Crow era. Landmark Supreme Court cases such as Lochner v. New York and Hammer v. Dagenhart highlighted the era's tensions regarding labor laws and states' rights.

TR & Foreign Affairs

Roosevelt Corollary of 1904 expanded U.S. influence in Latin America, intervening in countries like Panama and the Dominican Republic. This period saw the construction of the Panama Canal and various agreements, including the Taft-Katsura Agreement (1905) and Root–Takahira Agreement (1908).

TR's Legislative Agenda and Legacy

Roosevelt's administration saw the passage of major legislation, including the Newlands Reclamation Act (1902), Elkins Anti-Rebate Act (1903), Meat Inspection Act (1906), and Pure Food & Drug Act (1906). He also focused on environmental conservation. Scholars rank TR highly for court appointments, risk-taking, and imagination but lower for compromise and pursuit of justice.

Taft's Presidency and the 16th Amendment

William Howard Taft, influenced by TR, favored an income tax, leading to the ratification of the 16th Amendment in 1913.

The Election of 1912 and TR's Progressive Agenda

In 1912, Woodrow Wilson won the presidency with only 42% of the popular vote. TR's 1912 Progressive agenda included votes for women, a minimum wage, inheritance taxes, old-age pensions, and corporate regulation.

Lincoln Steffens

Lincoln Steffens, a muckraking journalist, investigated corruption in municipal governments.

During the Progressive Era, American democracy faced rising wealth inequality. Progressives, like Theodore Roosevelt, grappled with these issues but had limitations regarding civil rights. Roosevelt's progressivism was affected by social Darwinism and racism, evident in events like the Brownsville Affair. Economic progressives differed from race progressives during the Jim Crow era, highlighted by Supreme Court cases like Lochner v. New York. Roosevelt expanded U.S. influence in Latin America and passed important legislation like the Meat Inspection Act. William Howard Taft, influenced by TR, supported the 16th Amendment. In 1912, Woodrow Wilson won the presidency, and TR advocated for women's rights and corporate regulation.