Wilsonian Progressivism Vs. Roosevelt Progressivism

The late 19th century to early 20th century is characterized as the Progressive Era. This is when reformers strived for better welfare policies and more rights for the people. Although three presidents reigned during this movement, only two are known for their policies. Theodore Roosevelt, the arrogant and egomaniacal president spoke out of ambition, whereas Woodrow Wilson, the more morally inclined leader spoke out of actual desire. Both had similar ideas, but their means of displaying them, and actually carrying through were different. Roosevelt was militaristic and felt war solved everything. Wilson was a pacifist and felt America should try to help their own people first before going to war. Roosevelt fought for the protection of the environment, while Wilson persistently pushed for a better educational system. Primarily though, both patriotic leaders strove for a middle path between the mobs and the boss. Therefore, although both Roosevelt and Wilson were leaders of the Progressive Movement, Roosevelt’s big, verbose speeches differed entirely from Wilson’s platform to directly help the people.

Theodore Roosevelt began his political career as vice president under William McKinley. Nicknamed the “Rough Rider”, Roosevelt was immediately characterized as militaristic and arrogant. He felt that war solved any problem, and was always eager to fight. He was also an imperialist and succeeded in increasing the size of the American empire. Roosevelt found himself relating more to the soldier, and therefore sympathized with all American veterans. He also admired the hunter, the cowboy, the frontiersmen, and the naval hero. In other words, Roosevelt hated the wealthy. He felt they had spent too long controlling society, and their dictatorial reign should end immediately. As much as this was true, Roosevelt also feared the poor and working class mobs. Although they had limited resources, they had power in numbers, since the poorer classes dominated the country. Roosevelt is known for his help building the Panama Canal, his success in the Spanish American War, and his environmental policies. He felt the Spanish American War should be fought as aggressively as possible. In terms of the Progressive Movement though, Roosevelt was ambiguous, and did not know what he stood for. In his Autobiography he confessed, “I cannot say that I entered the presidency with any deliberately planned and far-reaching scheme of social betterment.” He entered the presidency, in turn, to feed his huge and relentless ego. Roosevelt took the credit for gigantic projects that were physically impossible to achieve by one person. As Richard Hofstadter points out in his book, The American Political Tradition, “Roosevelt’s determination to enter politics and become a member of the governing class was not inspired by a program of positive aims, but rather by a vague sense of dedication. Beyond a conviction that the pure in heart should participate more actively in politics, a disdain for purely material ends, and a devotion to the national State, one can find little deliberate ideology in the early Roosevelt.” In other words, Roosevelt might have run for politics for the sake of the name, “The President of the United States.” On the other hand, Roosevelt did do some good. His New Nationalism policy called for a strong centralized state, extended government interference