Ch.29

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Compare and contrast Roosevelt’s New Nationalism and Wilson’s New Freedom program. Which seems to you to be the more realistic response to industrialization? Why?

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Thesis: Roosevelt's New Nationalism program was in favor of regulated monopolies and trusts, among other things, while Wilson’s New Freedom program was in favor of unregulated and non monopolized markets, and it shunned social welfare proposals . The most reasonable of these two plans is obviously Roosevelt's, which sought to improve the US rather than change it completely.

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2)Assess America’s neutrality at the outset of World War I. Consider botha: Wilson’s policies in regard to Britain and Germanyb. The sentiments of the American public.

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Angelo's Ch.29 Essay Answers1)Compare and contrast Roosevelt’s New Nationalism and Wilson’s New Freedom program. Which seems to you to be the more realistic response to industrialization? Why?Background:In the presidential election of 1912, the path of American progressivism was split in two: one side had Theodore Roosevelt and his New Nationalism program, and on the other side was Woodrow Wilson and his New Freedom campaign.Thesis: Roosevelt's New Nationalism program was in favor of regulated monopolies and trusts, among other things, while Wilson’s New Freedom program was in favor of unregulated and non monopolized markets, and it shunned social welfare proposals . The most reasonable of these two plans is obviously Roosevelt's, which sought to improve the US rather than change it completely.Sub1: The New Nationalism program favored trusts and labor unions, in addition to promoting other social reforms, such as women's suffrage and social welfare.Sub2: On the other hand, Wilson was completely opposed to monopolies and trusts, and disliked social welfare. It was a completely different point of view.Sub3: Of these two political and economic philosophies, Roosevelt’s New Nationalism was much more reasonable. America had grown into a world power as a result of industrialization and such; opposing this would only lead to backwards progress for the country. Body Paragraph 1Sub1: The New Nationalism program favored trusts and labor unions, in addition to promoting other social reforms, as women's suffrage and social welfare.a: Theodore Roosevelt was believed that monopolies and trusts were of benefit to America; all that had to be done was bust the bad trusts and regulate the good ones.b: TR was also in favor of other social reforms, such as promoting women's suffrage, minimum wage laws, and publicly supported health care. Body Paragraph 2Sub2: On the other hand, Wilson was completely opposed to monopolies and trusts, and disliked social welfare. It was a completely different point of view.a: Wilson had a rather Jeffersonian outlook on industry and commerce, in that he believed that competition- the “man on the make”- was important.b: For this reason, the New Freedom program called for the fragmentation of big industries and trusts via antitrust laws. It was as if Taft’s trust busting was cranked up to 100. Body Paragraph 3Sub3: Of these two political and economic philosophies, Roosevelt’s New Nationalism was much more reasonable. America had grown into a world power as a result of industrialization and such; opposing this would only lead to backwards progress for the country.a: Roosevelt's and Wilson’s goals can be compared to those of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson respectively, as one was supportive of an industrialized US while the other wished for a non monopolized and agrarian society.b: The truth was that the United States had grown as a country because of big industries and monopolies, and completely opposing this would only lead to backwards progress for America both in economic and political power. Regulation and compromise is always better than an All-or-nothing policy.2)Assess America’s neutrality at the outset of World War I. Consider botha: Wilson’s policies in regard to Britain and Germanyb. The sentiments of the American public.a: Wilson, at the outset of World War I, wanted to remain neutral, though he did not do a great job at it. Although they did not send troops to Europe, they did continue trading with Old World powers, essentially feeding off the conflicts occurring in these countries. This continued trading with Europe would only put Americans in harm's way, and would eventually lead to trouble. Something like Thomas Jefferson’s embargo act would have been wiser.b. The American public was rather mixed towards WWI. The grand majority were simply glad that they were far away from the conflict. However, there were some immigrants who wished to get involved in the fighting, and some were even supporting their own countries. This would be a factor that would lead to the anti-immigrant sentiment of the 1920’s.

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3) What were the most important of Wilson’s progressive reforms? Was Wilson actually a more effective progressive than Theodore Roosevelt? Why or why not?

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Thesis: As president, Wilson made many reforms for the US, such as legalizing labor unions and establishing the eight hour work day for train employees. However, Wilson’s achievements do not match up to those of Roosevelt, who succeeded in conserving millions of acres of American nature and transforming the ICC into an effective regulator of railroads and trusts.