Final answer:
The Progressive belief in utilizing experts significantly influenced Roosevelt's reforms, leading to the implementation of efficient, expert-driven government policies and regulatory measures addressing abuses by large corporations. This reflected the Progressive Era's emphasis on expertise and efficiency in governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Progressive belief in using experts played a significant role in shaping President Theodore Roosevelt's reforms. Roosevelt's advisors, known as the "Brains Trust," were integral to the New Deal's success. These scholars and thinkers from leading universities, along with Congress and the American public, informed Roosevelt's approach to the Great Depression by analyzing its causes and proposing a variety of solutions. They believed the crisis was caused by the abuses of a small group of bankers and businessmen, exacerbated by Republican policies.
The acceptance of scientific management, as advocated by Frederick Taylor, reflected the Progressives' desire for efficient organizations. Applying this to the government, they ended the patronage system in favor of hiring experts. This translated into Roosevelt's administration, where he became a "trust buster," embarking on lawsuits against major corporations but also working with business leaders to regulate the industry through legal and corporate experts.
Roosevelt's approach demonstrated the Progressive Era philosophy that expertise within government could resolve problems. His regulatory measures, including the Elkins Act, sought efficiency and fairness in business operations. Furthermore, Roosevelt’s Progressive actions surmised the spirit of the era, empowering the executive branch and paving the way for future presidents to advance the progressive agenda.