All of the progressive presidents were essential during the Progressive era, however, I believe President Taft to have had the greatest effect on conditions for American people. First, President Taft was able to declare an 8-hour workday for government employees, which many had been long anticipating. Also, like Roosevelt, Taft was a “trustbuster”, who lessened the power of major corporations and expanded the governments power and helped the American people by creating competition again. Unlike Roosevelt, Taft was a much stronger trustbuster bringing more cases in his four years compared to Roosevelt’s seven. Lastly, Taft was able to assure the 16th Amendment ratification, which allowed Congress to collect an income tax from the rich or large
