Final answer:
Teddy Roosevelt was a progressive president who initiated significant reforms like trust-busting, labor rights, and environmental conservation. His robust 'Big Stick' diplomacy shaped U.S. foreign policy, asserting American strength on a global scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teddy Roosevelt as a Progressive President:
Theodore Roosevelt is widely regarded as a progressive president due to his dedication to reform and change, particularly in confronting big business, supporting labor rights, and conversing natural resources. He transformed the presidency by his commitment to these causes, setting a precedent for his successors.
Roosevelt's most significant reforms include his trust-busting efforts, the establishment of national parks and wildlife refuges, and the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
Roosevelt's Progressive Reforms:
Roosevelt's trust-busting policies challenged large business conglomerates with the goal of increasing competition and preventing monopolistic practices. He also supported labor by intervening in the Anthracite Coal Strike, showcasing his willingness to side with workers.
Additionally, environmental conservation was a central part of Roosevelt's agenda, leading to considerable expansion of federal land preservation.
Foreign Policy Shaped by Roosevelt:
In foreign policy, Roosevelt took a robust approach with his 'Big Stick' diplomacy, which emphasized American strength and global engagement. He was instrumental in the construction of the Panama Canal, asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, as outlined in the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.