Crash Course U.S. History: Progressivism

Introduction

• Host: John Green
• Focus: Progressivism, "great man" history
• Discussion on U.S. presidents and the rise of national governments

Nationalization and Government Intervention

• Rise of strong national governments post-19th century
• Corporations moving from national to international
• Nationalization affected sports (e.g., formation of National League in baseball)
• Herbert Crowley favored Hamiltonian government intervention for individual freedom

Theodore Roosevelt (Teddy)

• Became president in 1901 after McKinley's assassination
• Model 20th-century president: active in domestic and foreign policy
• Square Deal: Distinguish between good and evil corporations
  • Federal regulation and breaking up of monopolies like Northern Securities Company
• Legislative success: Hepburn Act (regulation of railroads)
• Conservation efforts: Appointed Gifford Pinchot, creation of national parks

William Howard Taft

• Roosevelt's successor, seen as a disappointment by Roosevelt
• Trust-buster: broke up Standard Oil
• Supported 16th Amendment (income tax)
• More conservative approach to big business
• Fired Pinchot, leading to Roosevelt's disapproval

Election of 1912

• Candidates: Taft, Roosevelt (Bull Moose Party), Eugene Debs (Socialist), Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
• Roosevelt's New Nationalism vs. Wilson's New Freedom
  • New Nationalism: Acknowledged big business, advocated for government intervention
  • New Freedom: Stronger antitrust laws, encouraging small businesses
• Result: Wilson won due to Taft-Roosevelt vote split

Woodrow Wilson's Presidency

• Implemented New Freedom by reducing tariffs, imposing income taxes
• Key legislation: Clayton Act (unions), Keating-Owen Act (child labor)
• Expanded Federal Trade Commission and created Federal Reserve System

Foreign Policy and International Actions

• Progressive presidents expanded U.S. influence abroad
• Roosevelt Corollary enhanced Monroe Doctrine
  • Intervention in Latin America (Panama Canal, Dominican Republic)
• Taft's Dollar Diplomacy: Economic investment over military intervention
• Wilson's interventions in Mexico and Latin America

Summary

• Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson expanded federal power domestically and internationally
• Progressivism led to modern American presidency
• Recognized necessity for federal government intervention in economy
• Neo-imperialistic foreign policies viewed business safety as a key to American welfare

Conclusion

• Presidents speaking of freedom often intervened abroad
• Upcoming topic: America in World War I

Production Notes

• Produced by Stan Muller, written by Raul Meyer, Rosianna Rojas, and John Green
• Graphics by Thought Cafe