How Did Theodore Roosevelt Vs Woodrow Wilson

Hannah Huang

Terry P.

History 148

21 May 2015

Progressive Politicians and Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt vs. Woodrow Wilson

Both Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were iconic Presidents in the American history, as they were both committed to social reforms and their enactment. President Theodore Roosevelt’s memorable move was the push for National Park Service establishment as he believed it was the birthright of all Americans to have access to the wonders of nature and open spaces. President Wilson Woodrow on the other hand also pushed for social reforms and is remembered for educational reforms. He believed all American had a right to all the citizens of America and went ahead to use the government machinery to make it possible for millions

Roosevelt initiated a policy dubbed ‘trust-busting’ which was aimed at breaking the control of the conglomerates, and went on to break up oil and gas conglomerates, and also railroad conglomerates. President Woodrow also initiated policies to restrict big businesses and established the Federal Trade Commission to do just that. Wilson’s administration also banned child labor and set maximum working hours, especially for railroad workers.

The two presidents, however, differed on foreign policy, as Theodore Roosevelt was seen as a realist informed by his tenure in the military and desired to lead the United States to being a global leader. President Wilson, on the other hand, was an idealist and pushed for American Isolation even at the start of the World War I, even though the United States eventually entered the war under his administration.

Both presidents also differed in personality, even though they agreed on matters policy. President Roosevelt was a war hero and an outside person full of bravado, but President Wilson was more scholarly and mostly reserved. These personality differences influenced their leadership style. Roosevelt led the entry into the Spanish-American War, and President Wilson was dragged into World War I unwillingly.

The Year 1919 in American

The reason for this is it was not fought either for freedom, not for security, and neither was it an internal conflict. The Spanish-American war was fought over influence. This is termed as imperialism, as both Spain and the United States fought for power and control over others, and the U.S government was influenced and drove into this war by Yellow Journalism. Yellow Journalism is sensational as it exaggerates twists and amplifies news so as to drive public opinion, and this was the primary cause of the US-Spain war. The leading journalists who pushed the US into this war were Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph. Some of the popular publishing was about the exploits of General Valeriano Weyler in Cuba and how he treated rebels. Another one is the De Lome Letter and the publishing about the sinking of the U.S.S Maine, all pushing the sentiment against Spain that eventually drove the United States into war with Spain.

The Spanish-American war led to Cuba gaining independence from Spain, but Philippines came under the United States control. This move was criticized by anti-imperialists, as the aim of the war was to free Cuba and Philippines, not to advance the United States imperialist