Final answer:
Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were key Progressive Era figures, with Roosevelt focusing on his 'Square Deal' to regulate corporations and preserve natural resources, and Wilson advocating for 'New Freedom' with banking and tariff reforms. Despite different approaches, both sought to expand democratic influence and aid social justice movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as Progressives
Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were both significant figures in the Progressive Era, playing pivotal roles in American politics from differing Progressive platforms. Roosevelt, known for his "Square Deal", focused on conservation of natural resources, controlling corporations, and protecting consumers. He famously broke up monopolies and was a proponent of labor rights. His progressive policies set precedents that expanded the power of the federal government.
Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, anchored his presidency on the "New Freedom" platform, focusing on banking reform, tariff reductions, and breaking up monopolies as well. While similar in their intent to regulate big business, Wilson's approach was different as he advocated for smaller government and opposed Roosevelt’s idea of government supervision of large corporations. Nevertheless, Wilson's term saw significant reforms including the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Trade Commission.
Both Roosevelt and Wilson had a profound impact on the national Progressive movement, though they differed in their approaches to achieving progressive goals. Their leadership contributed to the increased democratic influence and social justice prominent during that era, which also encouraged movements like women’s suffrage and African American civil rights. The legacy of their presidencies influenced the direction of American politics and governance in the early twentieth century.