1 of 4

Unit 7

​

Gilded Age & Progressive Era

​

1877-1920

​

​

2 of 4

The Progressive Era

​

1897-1920

03

3 of 4

Business Reform

At the turn of the 20th century, laws had been passed at both the federal and state levels to prevent monopolies. However, the laws were not enforced. In response, a group of progressives focused their efforts on regulating big business, but they disagreed on the solutions.

  • One group believed the government should break up large companies to restore competition.
  • The other group wanted the creation of government agencies to regulate large companies and prevent them from abusing their power.
    • Socialism: the idea that the government should own and operate industry for the community as a whole.

4 of 4

Business Reform

Many progressives believed in the American system of free enterprise. As a result, U.S. Presidents of the Progressive Era, especially Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, often used their authority to break up those businesses that had monopolies.

  • Roosevelt was sometimes called the “Trust Buster”.
  • During Roosevelt’s second term in office, his reform program was known as the Square Deal.
    • The program stipulated that the government should attempt to balance all the needs of the groups within American society.