A Progressive can be defined as a person or group applying social reform or new, profuse ideas. The first progressive president, Theodore Roosevelt, had a very positive impact by transforming the United States into a more modern country and all around a greater country. Roosevelt was one of the most influential people that ever ran the Unites States. This ambitious leader balanced the interests of business, consumer, and laborer. He helped to better America as a country by mainly passing laws that improved working conditions, food and drug companies, and even the environment. Theodore Roosevelt positively renovated the country by advocating a "square deal" for all citizens, limiting the power of trusts, promoting public health and
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His "trustbusting campaign" and the Sherman Antitrust Act regulated large businesses and terminated "bad" trusts. Roosevelt also passed the Elkins Act which forbade shipping companies from accepting rebates. He also passed the Hepburn Act which authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to set railroad rates and to regulate other businesses involved in interstate commerce. "Overall, the Hepburn Act represented the major domestic legislation of Theodore Roosevelt 's presidency, and the credit clearly belonged to the president" (Gould 164). His most renowned accomplishment regarding business was trust busting 44 companies. He broke the large corporations up to increase competition which, as a result, fueled the economy. The increase in competition fueled innovation which resulted in a better selection of products for the …show more content…
He set out to make the United States not only a great country, but a global power. After the Spanish-American War, the United States gained the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. They also established a territory over Cuba and annexed Hawaii. " 'I wish to see the United States then dominant power on the Pacific Ocean, ' Roosevelt wrote in 1900" (Beale 50). Roosevelt sought to establish a powerful defense for the United States to avoid conflicts with other countries; therefore, he acted aggressively regarding foreign affairs and a Navy. Throughout his presidency, Roosevelt worked to assemble one of the largest Navies in the World. He accomplished this by adding ships to the fleet and increasing the number of enlisted men. "But the primary concern of Roosevelt and his fellow-expansionists was power and prestige and the naval strength that would bring power and prestige"(Beale 50). The most remarkable accomplishment of Theodore Roosevelt regarding foreign affairs was the creation of the Panama Canal. The Canal took about ten years to complete, but the effects it had were staggering. It shortened the voyage from San Francisco to New York by more than 8,000 miles. The Panama Canal also served as a major staging area for American military forces, making the United States one of the most dominant military powers in the World. President Roosevelt 's aggressive tactics allowed
His "trustbusting campaign" and the Sherman Antitrust Act regulated large businesses and terminated "bad" trusts. Roosevelt also passed the Elkins Act which forbade shipping companies from accepting rebates. He also passed the Hepburn Act which authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to set railroad rates and to regulate other businesses involved in interstate commerce. "Overall, the Hepburn Act represented the major domestic legislation of Theodore Roosevelt 's presidency, and the credit clearly belonged to the president" (Gould 164). His most renowned accomplishment regarding business was trust busting 44 companies. He broke the large corporations up to increase competition which, as a result, fueled the economy. The increase in competition fueled innovation which resulted in a better selection of products for the …show more content…
He set out to make the United States not only a great country, but a global power. After the Spanish-American War, the United States gained the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. They also established a territory over Cuba and annexed Hawaii. " 'I wish to see the United States then dominant power on the Pacific Ocean, ' Roosevelt wrote in 1900" (Beale 50). Roosevelt sought to establish a powerful defense for the United States to avoid conflicts with other countries; therefore, he acted aggressively regarding foreign affairs and a Navy. Throughout his presidency, Roosevelt worked to assemble one of the largest Navies in the World. He accomplished this by adding ships to the fleet and increasing the number of enlisted men. "But the primary concern of Roosevelt and his fellow-expansionists was power and prestige and the naval strength that would bring power and prestige"(Beale 50). The most remarkable accomplishment of Theodore Roosevelt regarding foreign affairs was the creation of the Panama Canal. The Canal took about ten years to complete, but the effects it had were staggering. It shortened the voyage from San Francisco to New York by more than 8,000 miles. The Panama Canal also served as a major staging area for American military forces, making the United States one of the most dominant military powers in the World. President Roosevelt 's aggressive tactics allowed