American Foreign and Domestic Policy During the Progressive Period

Between 1890 and 1920, American foreign and domestic policy changed drastically. America became an imperial power after years of an isolationist foreign policy, while years of conservative government and corruption were replaced with a progressive government of reformers. While both policies had significant impacts, the social and political achievements of the Progressive government had farther reaching effects than the building of the American empire.

Before 1890, America was very uninvolved in foreign affairs, but by 1909 it had become an imperial power. Motivated by a desire for new markets, patriotism, and the image of a strong steel navy depicted in The Influence of Sea Power upon History, it was only a matter of time before America became a major player on the world stage. The first major imperial action of the US was the war with Spain. While it was over relatively fast, it began US involvement in the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, three regions that were destined to play an important role in the future. After the war, the US annexed Puerto Rico and the Philippines in order to "Christianize and civilize" them, beginning the policy of Benevolent Assimilation. Cuba was given independence, but with limitations intended to ensure that the US had practical control of the country. In Latin American, marine landings and other aggressive moves were justified by the Roosevelt corollary to the Monroe doctrine. While America was being aggressive abroad, at home calls for reform were beginning to be heard.

After conservative President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, Teddy Roosevelt, a progressive reformer given the Vice-Presidency to end his political career, was made president. After the assassination, many began to fear the rising of anarchists, causing a clamoring for stronger government devoted to human welfare and protecting the power of the people. The reformers were able to strengthen the people through the initiative, referendum, recall, direct primary elections, and the direct election of senators. The political power of women was also increased, and by 1920 they had gained the right to vote. The progressives were also able to make great progress in labor reform, creating minimum wage and maximum hour laws, laws regulating working conditions, and workers' compensation. Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal finally provided the protection that consumers needed through acts like the Pure Food and Drug Act; while also giving the government power over the the corporations that previously ran the government. Many of the Progressive's accomplishments are either still in use today, or have evolved even further from their initial conception.

The Progressives' domestic policies have had a huge effect on the development of the United States. While the impact of the American empire cannot be denied, the sheer number of reforms that were created by the Progressives that are now considered essential to American life ensure their importance in history. They made huge gains in women's rights, labor reform, consumer protection, public works projects, conservation, and fiscal reform. The Aldrich-Vreeland Act of 1908 was the precursor to the Federal Reserve Act, while the Pure Food and Drug Act created the first of many government organizations for the protection of the consumer. The Progressives created many precedents for the government and set the framework for the government we have now.

The time period between 1890 and 1920 was one of the most important periods in the formation of US policy due to the continuance of many of the policies started then. The transition from an isolationist nation to an imperial power, as well as the rapid change from a conservative to progressive government, helped to shape America to be what it is today.