Final answer:
Woodrow Wilson was a key figure in the Progressive Era, initiating reforms that targeted big business and economic stability. He championed progressive ideals like direct primaries, workmen's compensation, and regulating public utilities and promoted women's suffrage and prohibition even as the Progressive Era waned with the onset of World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Woodrow Wilson played a significant role during the Progressive Era, implementing several reforms that reflected the era's goals. As governor of New Jersey and later as President, Wilson focused on policies that aimed to reduce the power of big businesses and stabilize the economy. His New Freedom program targeted the triple wall of privilege: tariffs, trusts, and high finance. Wilson supported various Progressive measures, such as direct primaries, workmen's compensation, and the regulation of railroads and public utilities.
In preparation for the 1916 election, understanding that his small government agenda might not suffice, Wilson initiated a new wave of Progressive reforms. These included the Federal Farm Act, the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act, and the Adamson Act, which established the first federally mandated eight-hour workday for railroad workers.
However, the onset of World War I shifted national priorities away from the Progressive agenda towards national security. Although the Progressive Era was nearing its end, Wilson's contributions, including promoting women's suffrage and prohibition, cemented his role as a leader in Progressive reforms.