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Difficulty: MediumProgressive Era Reforms and Influences

Source: Theodore Roosevelt, "New Nationalism" Speech, Osawatomie, Kansas, 1910

"We must have government supervision of the capitalization, not only of public-service corporations, including, particularly, railways, but of all corporations doing an interstate business. I do not wish to see the nation forced into the ownership of the railways if it can avoid it, but I do wish to see such control and supervision exercised on behalf of the people as a whole... The citizens of the United States must effectively control the mighty commercial forces which they have themselves called into being."

The ideas expressed in the excerpt most directly reflect which of the following Progressive Era goals?

  1. Increasing federal oversight of corporations to protect the public interest while preserving private enterpriseAnswer
  2. B
    Implementing strict laissez-faire economic principles to encourage unregulated industrial competition
  3. C
    Nationalizing transportation and communication systems to eliminate private corporate influence
  4. D
    Establishing direct federal relief payments and guaranteed employment for industrial workers

Answer

Increasing federal oversight of corporations to protect the public interest while preserving private enterprise
The correct answer is correct because Theodore Roosevelt advocates for federal control and supervision of interstate corporations to ensure they serve the public interest, while explicitly stating that he wants to avoid government ownership of these industries. This represents the core Progressive philosophy of corporate regulation without resorting to socialism or nationalization.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus context and source.
The stimulus is from Theodore Roosevelt's 1910 'New Nationalism' speech, a key address outlining his Progressive philosophy.
Understanding the source and time period helps contextualize the author's primary arguments.
2
Identify the author's specific proposals in the text.
Roosevelt calls for 'government supervision' of interstate corporations and railways, but explicitly states he does not wish for 'ownership of the railways if it can avoid it.'
This establishes the distinction between regulating private corporations and full government ownership.
3
Match these proposals to Progressive Era ideological goals.
The desire to regulate and control corporations for the public interest without nationalizing them aligns with mainstream Progressive reforms like antitrust acts and regulatory commissions.
Connecting the text to broader historical concepts allows identification of the correct answer.

Key Concept

Progressive Era Corporate Regulation and the New Nationalism
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Topics

Progressive Era Reforms and Influences

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