The first years of the 1900s is referred to as the "Progressive Era." This is because reformer were successful in what they did. Their reforms helped America "progress" to new changes.
             Teddy Roosevelt is one of these reformers. He broke up the large railroad trust. The four big railroads in the Northwest was controlled by one holding company by the name of the Northern Securities Company. Since this company owned all the stock in the four major railroads it set all of the rates. So Roosevelt sued the NSC under the Sherman Antitrust Act for having a monopoly. Roosevelt then broke up the beef trust, the oil trust, and the tobacco trust. This reform helped America progress to new changes because Roosevelt started to get the federal government to regulate big businesses and help out the consumer; something that had not been focused on too heavily. Roosevelt also involved the federal government in the coal strike of 1902. The miners went on strike to improve their working conditions but the mine owners refused to deal with the miners. Then Roosevelt intervened and got the discussions between he miners and the owners started. He wanted to see that the miners got a "square deal" and that is what happened. Roosevelt was important in reforming and progressing America by involving the government in regulating big businesses and helping out the common man.
             Middle class reforms made many changes in America. In many cities all over the country reform mayor were being elected But then in some cites the reform mayors were dying out. To make sure this would not happen some cities got rid of the mayor and city council and replaced them with a small commission. Each member ran a different part of the city. The commission made laws and policies for the cities. Other cities made a city manager. The manager was not a politician. A trained manager carried out the policies set by a small council. F
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