Chapter twenty-three
From roosevelt to wilson in the age of progressivism
Multiple Choice
1. Who helped form the Progressive, or Bull Moose, Party?
A) William Howard Taft
B) Theodore Roosevelt
C) Woodrow Wilson
D) Herbert Hoover
E) William Jennings Bryan
Answer: B
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt, after his dissatisfaction with the Republican Party, formed the
Progressive Party, also known as the Bull Moose Party, for his 1912 presidential campaign.
2. The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution provided for _____.
A) women’s suffrage
B) prohibition
C) a federal income tax
D) direct election of senators
E) extending the franchise to eighteen-year-olds
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1919, established Prohibition,
prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United
States.
3. What was one problem that the woman suffrage movement continued to face after 1890?
A) uncertainty among leaders about pursuing reform
B) disunity and disloyalty
C) a lack of organization at the national level
D) opposition from the progressive movement
E) resistance from the Catholic Church
Answer: E
Rationale:
Even after 1890, the woman suffrage movement faced resistance from various quarters,
including religious institutions like the Catholic Church, which opposed the idea of women's
suffrage.
4. The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution provided for _____.
A) women’s suffrage
B) prohibition
C) a federal income tax
D) direct election of senators
E) extending the franchise to eighteen-year-olds
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to
vote, thus providing for women's suffrage in the United States.
5. The most influential educator of the Progressive Era was _____.
A) Horace Mann
B) Eugene V. Debs
C) Robert M. La Follette
D) John Dewey
E) William James
Answer: D
Rationale:
John Dewey, a philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, is widely considered the
most influential educator of the Progressive Era for his contributions to educational theory
and practice.
6. The most prominent American socialist during the Progressive Era was _____.
A) “Big Bill” Haywood
B) Gifford Pinchot
C) Eugene V. Debs
D) Upton Sinclair
E) Daniel DeLeon
Answer: C
Rationale:
Eugene V. Debs, as the leader of the Socialist Party of America, emerged as the most
prominent American socialist during the Progressive Era, advocating for workers' rights and
social justice.
7. Progressive reformers of the cities believed that ________ were needed to solve problems
and enact real change.
A) experts
B) bankers
C) politicians
D) scientists
E) mayors
Answer: A
Rationale:
Progressive reformers believed that experts, including social scientists, engineers, and urban
planners, were essential for identifying and addressing the complex social, economic, and
political problems facing cities.
8. To progressives, the commissions they championed offered a way to _____.
A) increase their political power
B) reduce the power of reformers
C) end the corrupt alliance between business and politics
D) provide employment for their supporters
E) elect regular citizens into political offices
Answer: C
Rationale:
Progressives championed commissions as a means to end the corrupt alliance between
business interests and politics by establishing independent regulatory bodies staffed by
experts to oversee various aspects of government and public policy.
9. The most famous reform governor of the Progressive Era was _____.
A) Robert M. La Follette
B) “Golden Rule” Jones
C) Hiram Johnson
D) Lincoln Steffens
E) Richard Ely
Answer: A
Rationale:
Robert M. La Follette, the governor of Wisconsin, is widely regarded as the most famous
reform governor of the Progressive Era for his progressive policies and advocacy for direct
democracy and government transparency.
10. Theodore Roosevelt angered southerners by _____.
A) dining with Booker T. Washington at the White House
B) stationing federal troops in southern states to supervise elections
C) selecting African Americans for cabinet positions
D) ordering the federal bureaucracy to be fully integrated
E) making sure that black athletes were included in the 1908 U.S. Olympic team
Answer: A
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt angered many southerners by inviting Booker T. Washington, an African
American civil rights leader, to dine at the White House in 1901, challenging racial
segregation norms prevalent in the South.
11. The Supreme Court’s decision in the Northern Securities case _____.
A) paved the way for several other antitrust actions
B) had little effect on the problem of trusts overall
C) was opposed by Roosevelt himself
D) affected only the smaller American trusts
E) was a unanimous decision
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Supreme Court's decision in the Northern Securities case, which declared the Northern
Securities Company a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, set a precedent for future
antitrust actions and paved the way for further regulation of trusts and monopolies.
12. During the great coal strike of 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt _____.
A) played no role at all in settling the dispute
B) sympathized completely with the company owners
C) turned his attention to the Pure Food and Drug Act instead
D) brought the two sides to the White House to come to an agreement
E) shut down the coal mines for two months
Answer: D
Rationale:
President Theodore Roosevelt intervened in the great coal strike of 1902 by bringing
representatives of the coal companies and labor unions to the White House for negotiations,
ultimately facilitating an agreement to end the strike.
13. Upton Sinclair’s novel, The Jungle, led to passage of the _____.
A) Hepburn Act
B) Mann-Elkins Act
C) Meat Inspection Act
D) Elkins Act
E) Clayton Antitrust Act
Answer: C
Rationale:
Upton Sinclair's novel, The Jungle, which exposed the unsanitary and exploitative practices
of the meatpacking industry, played a significant role in the passage of the Meat Inspection
Act of 1906, which aimed to regulate the meatpacking industry and ensure food safety.
14. Compared to Roosevelt, William Howard Taft _____.
A) was a reformer
B) was pro-business
C) was pro-union
D) was a hard worker
E) was a dynamic politician
Answer: B
Rationale:
Compared to Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft was perceived as more pro-business,
as he pursued policies that were often seen as more favorable to corporate interests than to
progressive reform efforts.
15. Before becoming president, William Howard Taft’s greatest strength was _____.
A) as an administrator
B) as a coalition-builder
C) as an economic strategist
D) as a political organizer
E) as an orator
Answer: A
Rationale:
Before becoming president, William Howard Taft's greatest strength was his aptitude as an
administrator, demonstrated by his successful tenure as Governor-General of the Philippines
and Secretary of War.
16. The Sixteenth Amendment _____.
A) established civil rights guidelines
B) authorized the direct election of senators
C) gave women the right to vote
D) authorized an income tax
E) enfranchised eighteen-year-olds
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1913, authorized the federal
government to levy an income tax on individuals and corporations, providing a significant
source of revenue for the government.
17. Dividing the Republican party early in William Howard Taft’s administration was _____.
A) the debate regarding the role of government in foreign policy
B) the problem of banking regulation
C) a decision concerning the need to lower tariffs
D) the question of campaign strategy
E) the split loyalty between Taft and Roosevelt supporters
Answer: C
Rationale:
Divisions within the Republican Party during William Howard Taft's administration were
exacerbated by disagreements over the issue of tariff reform, with progressive Republicans
advocating for lower tariffs while conservative Republicans supported protective tariffs.
18. President Taft alienated progressive Republicans by _____.
A) curbing the power of Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon
B) vetoing a tariff increase
C) dismissing Richard Ballinger
D) campaigning against them in the 1910 midterm elections
E) working directly against them in elections
Answer: E
Rationale:
President Taft alienated progressive Republicans by working directly against them in
elections, often supporting conservative candidates over progressive challengers, which
undermined his support among progressive factions within the party.
19. Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom called for _____.
A) the expansion of government
B) less government regulation
C) business competition and small government
D) government restraint of competition
E) overseas expansion
Answer: C
Rationale:
Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom platform called for promoting business competition and
reducing government regulation, advocating for a smaller government role in the economy
and increased economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
20. In 1912, Roosevelt’s New Nationalism _____.
A) demanded a stronger role for the executive office
B) called for tighter immigration laws
C) represented a repudiation of progressivism
D) suggested that federal government could not be trusted
E) was resolutely opposed to big business
Answer: A
Rationale:
Roosevelt's New Nationalism platform in 1912 advocated for a stronger role for the executive
office, promoting active government intervention in the economy to regulate big business and
address social and economic inequalities.
21. Woodrow Wilson won the election of 1912 as a _____.
A) Republican
B) Democrat
C) Progressive
D) Socialist
E) Populist
Answer: B
Rationale:
Woodrow Wilson won the election of 1912 as a Democrat, defeating incumbent Republican
President William Howard Taft and Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
22. The most important domestic law passed during Wilson’s administration was the _____.
A) Underwood Tariff
B) Dingley Tariff
C) Federal Reserve Act
D) Pure Food and Drug Act
E) Clayton Antitrust Act
Answer: C
Rationale:
The most important domestic law passed during Woodrow Wilson's administration was the
Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which established the Federal Reserve System to regulate the
country's monetary and banking system.
23. Woodrow Wilson’s record on race relations _____.
A) elicited the support of African Americans
B) disappointed many progressives
C) won him support in the North
D) demonstrated opposition to discrimination
E) flew in the face of Roosevelt’s policies
Answer: B
Rationale:
Woodrow Wilson's record on race relations disappointed many progressives due to his failure
to address systemic racial discrimination and segregation, particularly evident with the
resegregation of federal offices and policies that marginalized African Americans.
24. In the final analysis, Wilson’s domestic programs indicated _____.
A) his exclusive belief in New Freedom ideas
B) his outright opposition to Roosevelt’s New Nationalism
C) a blending of the two competing doctrines of progressivism
D) his failure as a progressive reformer
E) his determination to please as many voters as possible
Answer: C
Rationale:
In the final analysis, Woodrow Wilson's domestic programs indicated a blending of the two
competing doctrines of progressivism, incorporating elements of both New Freedom and
New Nationalism to address various economic and social issues.
25. The “bully pulpit” reflected what use of presidential power?
A) Taft’s strong-arm tactics in fighting unions.
B) Wilson’s attacks on big business.
C) Taft’s use of the presidency to lead by moral example.
D) Roosevelt’s active use of presidential power to lead change.
E) Wilson’s disdain for the expansion of presidential power.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The "bully pulpit" reflects Theodore Roosevelt's active use of presidential power to lead
change, emphasizing the president's ability to use their platform and influence to shape public
opinion and push for policy initiatives.
26. Why were many professionals attracted to the progressive movement?
A) They wanted to bar the lower classes from joining their professions.
B) They hoped to discourage women from entering the workforce.
C) They wanted to set educational requirements for their professions.
D) They were interested in asserting influence in the southern United States.
E) Many professionals were NOT attracted to the progressive movement.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Many professionals were attracted to the progressive movement because they saw it as an
opportunity to set educational requirements for their professions, ensuring professional
standards and enhancing their status and influence.
27. How did the growing trend of national associations impact professionals in the early years
of the 1900s?
A) Higher standards enforced by associations ensured that professionals met the minimum
standards in their fields.
B) It became easier to become a professional; all one had to do was buy into an association.
C) Associations ensured that only aristocrats had access to proper education and training in
many fields.
D) Associations helped restrict the lower classes from joining the burgeoning middle class in
urban America.
E) Associations made it more difficult for professionals to devote their lives to helping people
who were less fortunate.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The growing trend of national associations impacted professionals in the early 1900s by
enforcing higher standards, ensuring that professionals met the minimum requirements and
maintaining the integrity of their fields.
28. How did social reform during the early 1900s differ from reforms of previous eras?
A) In previous eras, social reform was supported exclusively by the government; in the early
1900s, social reform was controlled by private charities.
B) In previous eras, social reform was supported exclusively by private charities; in the early
1900s, social reform was controlled by the government.
C) In previous eras, social reform was mixed with morality; in the early 1900s, it was free
from moral overtones.
D) During previous eras, social reform had been more complex and interrelated; during the
early 1900s, reformers saw problems as individualized and simplistic.
E) During previous eras, social reform had been more simplistic and directed at one particular
problem; during the early 1900s, reformers saw problems as complex and interrelated.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Social reform during the early 1900s differed from reforms of previous eras by being more
complex and interrelated, with reformers addressing interconnected social issues rather than
focusing on singular problems.
30. How did the National American Woman Suffrage Association differ from prior
organizations?
A) It unified two important suffrage associations.
B) It was marred by disunity and disorganization.
C) It had fewer members than earlier associations.
D) It was led by the militant activist Carrie Chapman Catt.
E) It focused on bringing about legislative change.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) differed from prior
organizations by unifying two important suffrage associations, the National Woman Suffrage
Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association, to consolidate efforts and
resources for the women's suffrage movement.
31. How did progressive attitudes affect the size of government?
A) Progressives believed that local government was ineffective in enacting social reforms, so
municipal government decreased during the progressive era.
B) Progressives believed that the federal government could best conduct social reforms, so
government grew during the progressive era.
C) Progressives believed that charities could best conduct social reforms, so government
shrank during the progressive era.
D) Progressives believed that most voters were too uneducated to understand national issues,
so they supported small state and local government only.
E) Progressives believed in the wisdom of the general masses, so state and local governments
shrank while agencies run by non-politicians grew.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Progressive attitudes favored the expansion of the federal government as they believed it
could best conduct social reforms, leading to the growth of government during the
progressive era with the implementation of various regulatory measures and social programs.
32. Why did voting decline during the progressive era?
A) Pessimism marked the progressive era, and people did not bother voting as a result.
B) Women made up most of the population and their disfranchisement affected turnout.
C) Voters focused on social reforms rather than on politics in the progressive era.
D) Most of the population was concerned with moral reform rather than political reform.
E) People relied on interest groups to bring about change, and did not feel a need to vote.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Voting declined during the progressive era as some individuals relied on interest groups to
bring about change, believing that direct political participation was unnecessary due to the
influence exerted by these groups in advancing their interests.
33. How did city governments become more like businesses during the early 1900s?
A) They became more corrupt, working for the wealthy and crushing the masses with unfair
housing, tax, and employment laws.
B) They became more supportive of the masses, creating health, housing, and employment
programs to help the poor.
C) They became balanced by competitive political parties and special interest groups, just as
big businesses were balanced by unions versus management.
D) They created systems of managers supported by experts, stressing continuity, efficiency,
and results.
E) They became embroiled in bureaucracy and regulations and could not function properly as
a result.
Answer: D
Rationale:
City governments became more like businesses during the early 1900s by adopting
management systems supported by experts, emphasizing continuity, efficiency, and results,
similar to the managerial practices of corporations.
34. Why did Theodore Roosevelt call Robert La Follette’s Wisconsin “the laboratory of
democracy”?
A) Wisconsin focused on improving voter education and participation.
B) Wisconsin citizens voted to approve or reject all of La Follette’s ideas.
C) Wisconsin used research methods to implement progressive ideas.
D) Wisconsin removed nearly all corrupt officials at local and state level.
E) Wisconsin’s new voting practices became the model for all other states.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt called Robert La Follette’s Wisconsin "the laboratory of democracy"
because Wisconsin used research methods to implement progressive ideas, serving as an
experimental ground for innovative policies and reforms.
35. In what way did Theodore Roosevelt embody the concept of pragmatism?
A) In breaking the trusts and large corporations, he demonstrated that he believed in natural
laws instead of actions.
B) In deciding to run for a third term, he demonstrated a belief in the absolute truth of his
right to the presidency.
C) He approached problems not by applying an ideology, but in an ad hoc manner.
D) In his conservation of wilderness in America, he demonstrated his belief in divine laws,
meaning that God had given America the land to take care of.
E) In his unequal treatment of African Americans, he demonstrated the pragmatic ability to be
“tough-minded” in a world with no easy answers.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt embodied the concept of pragmatism by approaching problems not by
applying an ideology, but in an ad hoc manner, focusing on practical solutions rather than
rigid adherence to a particular doctrine.
36. In his negotiations to pass the Hepburn Act of 1906, what did Roosevelt reveal about his
political strategy?
A) He capitalized on his popularity with the masses to coerce Congress to pass bills.
B) He used his military past to command awe and obedience to his will as President.
C) He employed yellow journalists and muckrakers to attack his opponents.
D) As a young and new president, he relied too heavily on experienced advisors.
E) He was skillful at political negotiations to achieve reform measures.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Roosevelt's successful negotiations to pass the Hepburn Act of 1906 demonstrated his
political strategy of skillful negotiation to achieve reform measures, highlighting his ability to
navigate the political landscape effectively.
37. How did consumers respond to Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle?
A) They avoided buying drugs from pharmacies.
B) They stayed away from certain fruits and vegetables.
C) They quickly cut back on meat.
D) They began to purchase more dairy products.
E) They learned how to read product labels.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Consumers responded to Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle by quickly cutting back on meat
due to the book's vivid portrayal of unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading
to concerns about food safety.
38. In what way can Theodore Roosevelt be considered one of the country’s first
conservationist presidents?
A) He created 150 million acres in new forest preserves.
B) He loved animals and set aside many wilderness areas.
C) He believed in sequestering public land, so it would not be used.
D) He opposed the use of coal because it damaged the environment.
E) He was an avid hunter, but confined his big game pursuits to Africa.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt can be considered one of the country's first conservationist presidents
because he created 150 million acres in new forest preserves, demonstrating his commitment
to preserving natural resources and wilderness areas.
39. Which of these best describe the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and William
Howard Taft?
A) Roosevelt and Taft worked closely together.
B) Roosevelt supported Taft’s nomination, but the two differed in both method and ideology.
C) Roosevelt did all he could to defeat the nomination of Taft.
D) Taft followed Roosevelt’s ideology, but not his methods.
E) Taft’s presidency represented a continuation of Roosevelt’s.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft was characterized by
Roosevelt supporting Taft's nomination, but the two differed in both method and ideology,
leading to conflicts and divergent approaches to governance.
40. Why did disputes erupt among the Republican Party when Taft took office?
A) Taft began to side with progressive Republicans, emphasizing the differences between
them and the Democrats.
B) Roosevelt’s forceful personality had concealed or managed the conflicts, but when he left
office the conflicts reemerged.
C) Just before leaving office, Roosevelt had sown seeds of discontent with his conservation,
labor, and education reforms.
D) Taft was an unlikable man who quickly created resentment from voters, even those who
were his supporters.
E) Taft was so strong-willed and opinionated that he alienated even members of his own
political party.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Disputes erupted among the Republican Party when Taft took office because Roosevelt's
forceful personality had previously managed or concealed the conflicts, and his departure
from office allowed these underlying tensions to resurface.
41. In what way was Taft more of a conservationist than Roosevelt?
A) He opposed Pinchot’s sale of millions of acres of public land.
B) He opposed Ballinger’s sale of Alaskan land to coal companies.
C) He instituted the nation’s first recycling program.
D) He was a vegetarian and opposed to hunting animals.
E) He conserved more public land than his predecessor.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Taft can be considered more of a conservationist than Roosevelt because he conserved more
public land than his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, through the establishment of national
parks and other conservation measures.
42. Which of these describe Roosevelt’s second term in office?
A) He used his mandate to enact a progressive agenda.
B) The closeness of the election weakened his presidency.
C) Struggles with Taft made his presidency difficult.
D) His second term in office was nearly identical to his first.
E) He moved from activism to coalition-building.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Roosevelt's second term in office was characterized by using his mandate to enact a
progressive agenda, leveraging his popularity and political capital to push forward various
reforms and initiatives.
43. Why was the passage of Federal Reserve Act during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency
considered to be crucial?
A) It instituted the first income tax, which still exists today.
B) It settled disputes among Democrats and Republicans.
C) It imposed necessary controls on banks, and still exists today.
D) It won him great public admiration, securing his second term.
E) It made the United States the richest country in the world.
Answer: C
Rationale:
The passage of the Federal Reserve Act during Woodrow Wilson's presidency was considered
crucial because it imposed necessary controls on banks and established the Federal Reserve
System, which still exists today and plays a vital role in the country's financial stability and
monetary policy.
44. Which of these was NOT true of the Progressives?
A) They sought to eliminate large corporations and businesses.
B) They acted out of concern about the effects of industrialization.
C) They believed in the possibilities for progress and were hopeful about human nature.
D) They were confident that it was within their right to intervene in people’s lives.
E) They looked to government to implement the reforms they sought.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The statement that Progressives sought to eliminate large corporations and businesses is not
true. While Progressives aimed to regulate and reform large corporations to address issues
such as monopolistic practices and worker exploitation, they did not seek their outright
elimination.
45. The Socialist party of America was characterized by all of the following EXCEPT _____.
A) a membership that included people from a variety of backgrounds
B) a leader able to unite the party
C) a cohesive platform and effective organization
D) an influence in rural areas in the South and the West
E) an impact on mayoral elections in more than thirty cities
Answer: C
Rationale:
The statement that the Socialist party of America had a cohesive platform and effective
organization is the exception. While the Socialist party had a significant impact on American
politics during the early 1900s, it faced challenges in maintaining a cohesive platform and
effective organization due to internal divisions and external pressures.
46. Which of these best describe Roosevelt’s attitude towards African Americans?
A) He acted both extremely progressively and in a reactionary fashion.
B) He refused to commit himself on this issue.
C) His actions were consistent in being lukewarm.
D) His support for black civil rights grew during his second term in office.
E) He continually courted the support of progressives in this area.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Roosevelt's attitude towards African Americans can be characterized as acting both extremely
progressively and in a reactionary fashion, as he took some actions to support black civil
rights while also making decisions that reinforced racial segregation and discrimination,
reflecting the complexities of his approach to race relations.
47. How did Theodore Roosevelt distinguish a “good” trust from a “bad” trust?
A) A “good” trust stayed within reasonable bounds, whereas a “bad” trust hurt the general
welfare of society.
B) A “good” trust donated contributions to Roosevelt’s reelection campaign, whereas a “bad”
trust did not.
C) A “good” trust was well-organized and efficient, whereas a “bad” trust was cumbersome
and inefficient.
D) A “good” trust employed the masses (immigrants, women, the poor, African Americans),
while a “bad” trust employed only white male workers.
E) A “good” trust developed products that contributed to society, while a “bad” trust was in
the service industry.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Theodore Roosevelt distinguished a "good" trust from a "bad" trust by asserting that a "good"
trust stayed within reasonable bounds, benefiting society, while a "bad" trust engaged in
practices that harmed the general welfare of society.
48. Which of the following individuals assumed the least progressive position regarding race
relations in the early 1900s?
A) Theodore Roosevelt (second term)
B) Woodrow Wilson (first term)
C) William Taft
D) Booker T. Washington
E) W. E. B. Du Bois
Answer: B
Rationale:
Woodrow Wilson (first term) assumed the least progressive position regarding race relations
in the early 1900s, as he implemented policies that reinforced racial segregation and
discrimination, including segregation in federal government agencies.
49. What is ironic about Wilson’s program in his second term in office?
A) It directly contradicted all of his New Freedom programs.
B) It was more about religion and morality than social change.
C) It helped more people than Taft’s and Roosevelt’s programs combined.
D) It was essentially made up of ideas first proposed by his rival, Theodore Roosevelt.
E) It was widely supported by the masses, but in the end served to hurt their interests.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The irony of Wilson's program in his second term in office is that it was essentially made up
of ideas first proposed by his rival, Theodore Roosevelt, highlighting the influence of
political opponents on his policies despite ideological differences.
50. Which of the following is the best characterization of the three presidents who held office
in the early 1900s?
A) Roosevelt was the most progressive of the three: conserving more land, instituting more
social reforms, and busting more trusts.
B) Wilson was the most progressive of the three: conserving more land, instituting more
social reforms, and busting more trusts.
C) Although Roosevelt and Wilson were more progressive, all three worked to regulate
business, conserve land, and institute social reforms.
D) Taft was the most progressive of the three: conserving more land, instituting more social
reforms, and busting more trusts.
E) They all worked on similar conservative programs: bank regulation, tariffs, and income
taxes.
Answer: C
Rationale:
The best characterization of the three presidents who held office in the early 1900s is that
although Roosevelt and Wilson were more progressive, all three worked to regulate business,
conserve land, and institute social reforms, reflecting the broad spectrum of progressive
policies implemented during the era.
Essay
1. Identify the characteristics common to progressives, and give examples of each.
Answer: Progressives shared several characteristics, including:
a) Advocacy for social and political reform: Progressives sought to address various social
issues and improve government accountability. For example, they advocated for women's
suffrage, labor rights, and the regulation of big business.
b) Emphasis on government intervention: Progressives believed that government had a
responsibility to intervene in the economy and society to address problems and protect the
welfare of citizens. For instance, they supported the implementation of antitrust laws, labor
regulations, and social welfare programs.
c) Support for grassroots activism: Progressives encouraged citizen involvement in political
and social causes, emphasizing the importance of grassroots movements in driving change.
One notable example is the grassroots efforts of women's suffrage activists who organized
marches, rallies, and petitions to advocate for voting rights.
d) Commitment to scientific expertise: Progressives valued the application of scientific
principles and expertise in policymaking and social reform. For instance, they relied on
research and data to inform public health initiatives, urban planning, and environmental
conservation efforts.
2. How did progressive action at the city, state, and federal levels pave the way for the activist
government of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries?
Answer: Progressive action at multiple levels of government laid the foundation for the
activist government seen in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
At the city level, progressives implemented municipal reforms aimed at improving urban
living conditions, such as sanitation, housing, and public transportation. Examples include the
establishment of building codes, sanitation departments, and zoning regulations in cities like
New York City and Chicago.
At the state level, progressives pursued legislative reforms to address social and economic
inequalities and regulate industries. States enacted laws to protect workers' rights, regulate
child labor, and establish minimum wage and maximum hour laws. For instance, Wisconsin
under Governor Robert La Follette implemented progressive reforms, including the direct
primary, initiative, referendum, and recall.
At the federal level, progressives pushed for landmark legislation to regulate business
practices, protect consumers, and promote social welfare. Examples include the Pure Food
and Drug Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the establishment of regulatory agencies like the
Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.
These progressive actions demonstrated the potential for government to intervene in the
economy and society to promote the public good, setting a precedent for future government
activism in areas such as social welfare, environmental protection, and economic regulation.
3. How did the progressivism of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson alter traditional
concepts of presidential power?
Answer: The progressivism of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson marked a departure
from traditional concepts of presidential power by expanding the role of the executive branch
in addressing social and economic issues.
Theodore Roosevelt's progressivism, often referred to as the "Square Deal," emphasized
government intervention to regulate big business, protect consumers, and conserve natural
resources. Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to challenge corporate monopolies
through antitrust enforcement, exemplified by his trust-busting efforts against the Northern
Securities Company and Standard Oil.
Woodrow Wilson's progressivism, known as the "New Freedom," sought to promote
economic competition and social justice through regulatory reforms. Wilson advocated for
measures such as the establishment of the Federal Reserve System to regulate the banking
sector and the enactment of antitrust legislation like the Clayton Antitrust Act.
Both Roosevelt and Wilson expanded the scope of presidential authority by using executive
action, legislative advocacy, and public persuasion to advance progressive policies. Their
approaches emphasized the active role of the president in addressing societal problems and
promoting the common good, challenging the traditional notion of limited government
intervention in economic and social affairs.
4. To what extent did the progressive movement succeed? To what extent did it fail?
Answer: The progressive movement achieved significant successes in addressing various
social, political, and economic issues, but it also faced limitations and failures in realizing its
goals.
Successes of the progressive movement include:
Legislative reforms: Progressives successfully advocated for the passage of numerous laws
and regulations aimed at addressing social inequalities, regulating business practices, and
promoting public welfare. Examples include the establishment of the Federal Reserve
System, the passage of antitrust legislation, and the implementation of labor protections.
Social reforms: Progressives made strides in advancing social justice and improving living
conditions for marginalized groups, such as women, children, and workers. Achievements
include the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, the expansion
of public education, and the enactment of workplace safety laws.
Government accountability: Progressives promoted transparency, accountability, and
democratic reforms in government institutions, leading to the adoption of measures such as
the direct primary, initiative, referendum, and recall.
However, the progressive movement also faced challenges and failures:
Incomplete reforms: Despite significant achievements, many of the progressive-era reforms
were incomplete or unevenly implemented, leaving some social and economic problems
unresolved. For example, racial discrimination persisted despite efforts to promote equality,
and income inequality persisted despite labor reforms.
Resistance from vested interests: Progressives encountered opposition from powerful
corporate interests, political machines, and conservative elements within society, hindering
the implementation of reform measures. This resistance often resulted in compromises or
watered-down reforms that fell short of progressive ideals.
Limitations of progressivism: The progressive movement had inherent limitations, including
its predominantly white, middle-class focus and its failure to fully address issues of racial and
gender inequality. Additionally, some progressive reforms inadvertently perpetuated
injustices, such as eugenics policies and restrictive immigration laws.
Overall, while the progressive movement made significant strides in advancing social,
political, and economic reform, its successes were tempered by ongoing challenges,
limitations, and failures in achieving comprehensive societal transformation.
Test Bank for The American Story
Robert A. Divine, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross, H. W. Brands
9780205900688
