Teddy Rosevelt Conservative or not?

Essay by Anthony427University, Bachelor'sA+, May 2002

download word file, 2 pages 3.5

Conservatism is defined as: ?A political philosophy based on traditions and social stability stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.? On the other hand, as a radical, Theodore Roosevelt pushed for social reform. Much of Roosevelt?s action was to bring down big businesses back down so they weren?t so overpowering over the U.S.

During Roosevelt?s terms on the New York Assembly, he became known as an independent Republican. His support of civil service reform and bills to improve New York City strengthened his radical position. During his term a governor, Roosevelt approved several bills supporting labor and social reform. He was the first president to interfere in a labor-management dispute. He threatened to take control of the mines, until the reluctant owners gave in and the miner received a reasonable settlement. A great supporter of the Newlands Bill, which spent money for irrigation in dry western states, was another of Roosevelt?s reform movements for the conservation in improvement of our country?s land and natural resources.

He also supported Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot in a national forest reserve and encouraged such conservation at the state level. This kind of reformism depicted Roosevelt?s attempt to build the nation quickly and well. During Roosevelt?s second administration as president, Congress helped him pass the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, both of which required federal inspection of packing plants and prohibited the transportation and distribution of foods and meats that were spoiled or mislabeled.

His strong progressive reform movements against big business showed through the use of his political power. Roosevelt ordered the Justice Commission to take suit under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, The Northern Securities Company in the northwest. This began the infamous ?trust-busting? mission of Roosevelt. He established the Bureau of Corporations, an investigative agency...