Theodore Roosevelt's Political Reform

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The Progressive era marked a time period in history where the United States of America underwent a political reform that further contributed to democracy. This was a necessary advancement and response to the rapid growing industrialization in America as evidenced by the need of regulation of big businesses, the low wage working classes, women’s rights, and poverty. This was conveyed through President Theodore Roosevelt, as he was an active participant and advocate of this movement. As strong corporations were on the rise, Roosevelt strongly believed that there was a need of a strong federal regulation system to ensure that corporate greed and corruption did not escalate. By the late nineteenth century, many people were displaced and reformers…show more content…
Before, It was not uncommon for laborers to work 10-12 hours per day, often subjected to poor working conditions, laid off routinely, cut wages, and lived in "Ghetto" neighborhoods. To deal with this problem, they organized labor unions and made steady gains throughout the early twentieth century. The alliance helped to improve working conditions, higher wages, and shorter hours. However, they failed to grow through a variety of unethical tactics. Therefore, some radicals formed the "industrial unions" and example of this would be the "United Mine Workers". The organizational goals were to overthrow capitalism and establish cooperatives within the workers. The most popular of this group was the "socialist party". Led by Eugene Debs, the socialist sought to establish reforms such as: free college education, improve the conditions of laborers, and democratic control of the…show more content…
Poverty was one of the biggest issues Americans endured during this period and composed of roughly 70 percent of the working class Americans. Therefore, the working class was poor and economically insecure due to frequent crippling accidents, laid off, wages cut, and in addition to the great depression, caused America economic insecurity. To address this issue, Theodore Roosevelt criticized the big corporations in America because of their hostile act to the general welfare of the people. To deal with this problem, Theodore Roosevelt in his speech, "The New Nationalism" suggested the use of government agencies and commissions to regulate businesses so that they act in a fair, ethical manners toward their rivals, employees, and consumers. He also called on increased power of federal governments, the creation of welfare states, and reforms that favor the workers and
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