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T. Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington’s White House Dinner

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T. Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington’s White House Dinner

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Many African-Americans were invited to the White House before 1901, but none of them was invited to dine with the President until Theodore Roosevelt invited African-American educator Booker T. Washington to a dinner at the White House.

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“T]he meat would be shoveled into carts, and the man who did the shoveling would not trouble to lift out a rat even when he saw one—there were things that went into the sausage in comparison with which a poisoned rat was a tidbit. There was no place for the men to wash their hands before they ate their dinner, and so they made a practice of washing them in the water that was to be ladled into the sausage. There were the butt-ends of smoked meat, and the scraps of corned beef, and all the odds and ends of the waste of the plants, that would be dumped into old barrels in the cellar and left there. Under the system of rigid economy which the packers enforced, there were some jobs that it only paid to do once in a long time, and among these was the cleaning out of the waste barrels. Every spring they did it; and in the barrels would be dirt and rust and old nails and stale water—and cartload after cartload of it would be taken up and dumped into the hoppers with fresh meat, and sent out to the public’s breakfast.”

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Theodore Roosevelt campaigns for the presidency in 1904. | AP Photo

On this day in 1905, Theodore Roosevelt, having recently been elected to the presidency in his own right, spoke to the New York City Republican Club about the state of race relations in the United States. At the time, there was widespread racial prejudice among white Americans. An influx of Asian immigrants in the West created a fresh set of racial tensions.

Roosevelt, the nation's 26th president, used the "rising tide raises all ships" metaphor. He said that if "morality and thrift among the colored men can be raised," then those same virtues among whites, which most Americans assumed to be more advanced, would "rise to an even higher degree." At the same time, he warned that "the debasement of the blacks will, in the end, carry with it [the] debasement of the whites."

One of his first challenges on the race issue occurred early in his first term, which he had entered after being elevated from the vice presidency. In 1901, Booker T. Washington, the most important black leader of the time, was the first African-American to be invited to dine at the White House. The two discussed politics and racism. When word of the dinner reached the press two days later, there was an outcry of criticism from many white people, particularly in the South. Roosevelt never invited another African-American to the White House again.

Roosevelt's approach to racial issues was to proceed slowly toward the goal of social and economic equality. He cautioned against imposing radical changes in government policy, favoring, hopefully, gradual adjustments in the attitudes of white Americans toward ethnic minorities.

He referred to white Americans as "the forward race," who had the responsibility to raise the status of minorities through training "the backward race[s] in industrial efficiency, political capacity and domestic morality." He asserted that the white citizenry bore the burden of "preserving the high civilization wrought out by its forefathers."

In sum, "TR," as he was known, took a passive, long-term approach toward extending full civil rights to African-Americans. Most of his immediate successors in the White House would follow a similar path, although President Woodrow Wilson retarded desegregation. For blacks - who since the Civil War had witnessed some measure of equity from the federal government - the sense of betrayal ran deep.

Change was in the air after World War II when President Harry S. Truman (at least theoretically) desegregated the Armed Forces. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Truman's successor, facing a school desegregation crisis in Little Rock, federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent 1,000 U.S. Army paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division to assist them in restoring order.

But it was not until President Lyndon B. Johnson steered the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts through Congress in the mid-1960s that the federal government's efforts to deter racial bias would become a paramount objective.
SOURCE: "THEODORE ROOSEVELT: A STRENUOUS LIFE," BY KATHLEEN DALTON (2002)

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Theodore Roosevelt reviews race relations, Feb. 13, 1905

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On this day in 1905, Theodore Roosevelt, having recently been elected to the presidency in his own right, spoke to the New York City Republican Club about the state of race relations in the United States. At the time, there was widespread racial prejudice among white Americans.

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Speech on the Square Deal in Dallas, Texas on April 5, 1905

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Speech on the Square Deal in Dallas, Texas on April 5, 1905

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"We must act upon the motto of all for each and each for all. There must be ever present in our minds the fundamental truth that in a republic such as ours the only safety is to stand neither for nor against any man because he is rich or because he is poor, because he is engaged in one occupation or another, because he works with his brains or because he works with his hands. We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less."

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Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Prohibited misbranded and adulterated foods, drinks, and drugs in interstate commerce

Meat Inspection Act (1906): Mandated that federal agents inspect meat and meat-processing plants involved in interstate commerce

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The Coal strike of 1902 was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners striked for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major American cities.

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“Our aim is not to do away with corporations; on the contrary, these big aggregations are an inevitable development of modern industrialism. ... We are not hostile to them; we are merely determined that they shall be so handled as to subserve the public good. We draw the line against misconduct, not against wealth." - Theodore Roosevelt

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Newlands Act (1902): Initiated massive irrigation projects in the West to water and bring life to the arid land

The Antiquities Act (1906): Allowed the president to declare lands with objects of historic or scientific interest to be national monuments

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Elkins Act (1903): Made it illegal for railroads to have unfair pricing by giving price rebates to some businesses.

Hepburn Act (1906): Strengthened the federal Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and gave it power to set maximum railroad rates.

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The Brownsville Affair was a racial incident that grew out of tensions between whites in Brownsville, Texas and black infantrymen stationed at nearby Fort Brown. The infantrymen had been subjected to racial discrimination since they arrived. A shooting incident in town on the night of August 13 left a white bartender dead and a police officer wounded. Although white commanders at Fort Brown affirmed that all black soldiers were in their barracks at the time of the shooting, local whites claimed that black soldiers had been seen firing. They produced spent shells from army rifles to allegedly support their statements. Despite evidence that indicated the shells had been planted, investigators accepted the statements of the white community. When the black soldiers were pressured to name who fired the shots, they insisted that they had no knowledge of the shooting. Although there was no trial, and the men were not given a hearing or the opportunity to confront their accusers, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered 167 black infantrymen discharged without honor because of their alleged conspiracy of silence. Some of the men dismissed had over twenty years of service and were only a short time away from retirement with pensions. All of this was taken away from them. Blacks were furious at Roosevelt's action, and Booker T. Washington was anguished over the unjust action. Although he did not criticize the president publicly, he protested in private; still, Roosevelt dismissed his plea to reconsider. Even some whites criticized the President. A United States Senate committee investigated the episode in 1907-08 and upheld Roosevelt's action.
In 1970, John D. Weaver's THE BROWNSVILLE RAID investigated the incident in depth, and the writer concluded that the discharged soldiers had been innocent. The army conducted a new investigation and, in 1972, reversed the order of 1906.

-- Richard Wormser

Six of the discharged soldiers were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

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The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow . Jim Crow Stories . The Brownsville Affair | PBS

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The Brownsville Affair was a racial incident that grew out of tensions between whites in Brownsville, Texas and black infantrymen stationed at nearby Fort Brown. The infantrymen had been subjected to racial discrimination since they arrived. A shooting incident in town on the night of August 13 left a white bartender dead and a police officer wounded.

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The purpose of the square deal was to create a compromise  for more economic control and make people's lives better by befitting the poor and the wealthy.

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The square deal was a compromise with consumers and corporations. It had three main goals of conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. This helped break the divide between the rich and the poor. The upper class did not like this plan.

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The square deal was a compromise with consumers and corporations. It had three main goals of conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. This helped break the divide between the rich and the poor. The upper class did not like this plan.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Square Deal was a plan to compromise with the management and the workers, to make people's lives better. He wanted to accomplish unison  between the two sides. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The Square Deal was a plan to compromise with the management and the workers, to make people's lives better. He wanted to accomplish unison  between the two sides. 

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The public reaction to it was that corporations and the upper class did not like the plan, and did not think that Roosevelt should be making decisions for them.

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was a plan to administer more economic control, essentially breaking the laissez-faire ideology previous presidents had held on to.

# data[].attributes.subject
The square deal was a plan to administer more economic control, essentially breaking the laissez-faire ideology previous presidents had held on to.

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was a plan that benefited both the poor and the wealthy. It's goal was to treat everyone, no matter wealth status, equality in the eyes of capitalism. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The square deal was a plan that benefited both the poor and the wealthy. It's goal was to treat everyone, no matter wealth status, equality in the eyes of capitalism. 

# data[].attributes.headline
the intention of the square deal was to create a comprise amongst the workers and management. Roosevelt planned to improve the working class by providing equal opportunities for wealth. The public did not like his plan.

# data[].attributes.subject
the intention of the square deal was to create a comprise amongst the workers and management. Roosevelt planned to improve the working class by providing equal opportunities for wealth. The public did not like his plan.

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was Roosevelt's plan to improve life in America for the rich and the poor. He wanted to control large corporations, protect consumers and conserve natural resources. Public reactions were mixed, but some felt that the square deal was too controlling. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The square deal was Roosevelt's plan to improve life in America for the rich and the poor. He wanted to control large corporations, protect consumers and conserve natural resources. Public reactions were mixed, but some felt that the square deal was too controlling. 

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was a more fair way of addressing problems because it was a compromise between the workers and business owners

# data[].attributes.subject
The square deal was a more fair way of addressing problems because it was a compromise between the workers and business owners

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A new deal created to have more control over big business and create more equality among working citizens.

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was to make the treatment between the poor and rich more equal. He wanted to control the corporations and the consumers. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The square deal was to make the treatment between the poor and rich more equal. He wanted to control the corporations and the consumers. 

# data[].attributes.headline
The square deal was a compromise between the rich and poor for both to be able to work together and make each others lives better. Roosevelt wanted everyone to have equal oppurtunity. The public believed Roosevelt had no authority to do this.

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The square deal was a compromise between the rich and poor for both to be able to work together and make each others lives better. Roosevelt wanted everyone to have equal oppurtunity. The public believed Roosevelt had no authority to do this.

# data[].attributes.body
Roosevelt designed the Square Deal in order to settle differences between the wealthy and poor in a way that would benefit both. He wanted to both control large corporations and ensure the protection of workers and consumers.

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The square deal was a plan that involved the consumers, corporations, conservationists, and workers. He wanted to encourage equality and no favoritism between classes or occupation. The public reaction was negative.  

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The square deal was a plan that involved the consumers, corporations, conservationists, and workers. He wanted to encourage equality and no favoritism between classes or occupation. The public reaction was negative.  

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt's Square Deal was his attempt to protect consumers, to control corporations, and to conserve natural resources. With this Deal, he was attempting to benefit everyone.  

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Roosevelt's Square Deal was his attempt to protect consumers, to control corporations, and to conserve natural resources. With this Deal, he was attempting to benefit everyone.  

# data[].attributes.headline
He was progressive because he used the power of the government to protect something that he felt was important to conserve. 

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He was progressive because he used the power of the government to protect something that he felt was important to conserve. 

# data[].attributes.body
Roosevelt's environmental actions from regulating big business to creating national reserves was revolutionary for his time

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Dis guy wuz progressive, he was a major advocate for preservation of the environment, which had become a major issue since the mass industrialization of the U.S.

# data[].attributes.subject
Dis guy wuz progressive, he was a major advocate for preservation of the environment, which had become a major issue since the mass industrialization of the U.S.

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His actions do fit into the definition of Progressivism because he was passing laws and taking steps to preserve the environment. This is a good thing, and was meant to move the country forward.

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His actions do fit into the definition of Progressivism because he was passing laws and taking steps to preserve the environment. This is a good thing, and was meant to move the country forward.

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progressive because he was an advoradation for preservation of the environment

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roosevelt was a progressive leader. He was able to enforce revolutionary ideas in preserving the environment.

# data[].attributes.subject
roosevelt was a progressive leader. He was able to enforce revolutionary ideas in preserving the environment.

# data[].attributes.body
Roosevelt was progressive because he realized a major issue was the destruction of the environment and used his power to protect and conserve it.

# data[].attributes.headline
This does classify as progressive because he was working hard to preserve nature which had become harder with all the new factories. 

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This does classify as progressive because he was working hard to preserve nature which had become harder with all the new factories. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt was a progressive because he was brought attention to environmental issues that will ultimately help the people over time.

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt was a progressive because he was brought attention to environmental issues that will ultimately help the people over time.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt was progressive because he worked to protect the environment and passed regulations

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt was progressive because he worked to protect the environment and passed regulations

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He is progressive because his ideas and actions are directed towards perserving the country and benfit it.

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Roosevelt does classify as a progressive President because he took large steps towards conservation, which very few, if any, of his predecessors did. 

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Roosevelt does classify as a progressive President because he took large steps towards conservation, which very few, if any, of his predecessors did. 

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Put restrictions on corporations not to control them or destroy them, but to ensure they would not become corrupt or too powerful.

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Put restrictions on corporations not to control them or destroy them, but to ensure they would not become corrupt or too powerful.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt is progressive because he is benefiting his citizens by improving corrupt practices. 

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Roosevelt is progressive because he is benefiting his citizens by improving corrupt practices. 

# data[].attributes.headline
This is progressive because Roosevelt was passing these regulations for the public good. Like it says in the first document, they should "sub-serve the public good."

# data[].attributes.subject
This is progressive because Roosevelt was passing these regulations for the public good. Like it says in the first document, they should "sub-serve the public good."

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt classifies as a progressive president because he worked to preserve and conserve our environment 

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Roosevelt classifies as a progressive president because he worked to preserve and conserve our environment 

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He revolutionized the government's involvement in business.

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progressive because he wants to regulate corrupt practices for the greater benefit of the public good.

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Roosevelt was progressive by creating national parks, and conserving certain parts of nature in America.

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Roosevelt was progressive by creating national parks, and conserving certain parts of nature in America.

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He cared greatly about preserving nature and made it a mission to do so.

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These are progressive actions because he directly talks about only aiming towards a public good. He main purpose is to keep is people happy.

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These are progressive actions because he directly talks about only aiming towards a public good. He main purpose is to keep is people happy.

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there are progressive movements initiated by the preseident. He saw unfairness and inequality and sough to make it right by inflicting these acts on the wrong

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there are progressive movements initiated by the preseident. He saw unfairness and inequality and sough to make it right by inflicting these acts on the wrong

# data[].attributes.headline
These actions are progressive because Roosevelt is trying to benefit the public through legislation. 

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These actions are progressive because Roosevelt is trying to benefit the public through legislation. 

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progressive because he is doing this to benefit the public

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progressive because he is doing this to benefit the public

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progressive because he wanted to protect consumers and make things better for the public

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Roosevelt ensured that people would be eating safe foods since most food production went unchecked and was dirty, gross, and very unsafe to eat. Unless you're a greedy businessman who didn't want to spend money on the now-required regulations, you can't see this as anything but progressive.

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Roosevelt was progressive because trust busting, and new acts like the Elkins Act helped most of the American people.

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt was progressive because trust busting, and new acts like the Elkins Act helped most of the American people.

# data[].attributes.body
These actions are progressive because before Roosevelt, president's usually did view people of a different race with respect. Roosevelt was trying to change this, which is a progressiveve action.

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Progressive he was making positive movements for country. 

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Progressive he was making positive movements for country. 

# data[].attributes.body
Roosevelt put restrictions on large corporations in order to regulate corruption in the economy. He did it for the good of the general people as well.

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roosevelt acted as a progressive president here as well because he continued to fix problems in the country that needed regulation. When problems arised he made sure to find the soultion and have the acts passed in governemnt.

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roosevelt acted as a progressive president here as well because he continued to fix problems in the country that needed regulation. When problems arised he made sure to find the soultion and have the acts passed in governemnt.

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This is progressive because Roosevelt realized an injustice being done to the American people by these large corporations and decided to take measures against their corrupt and unfair practices in order to protect the people.

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These are progressive because he is putting the peoples benefit and their interest in mind when passing this legislation.

# data[].attributes.subject
These are progressive because he is putting the peoples benefit and their interest in mind when passing this legislation.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt's conservation values will identify as a progressive

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Roosevelt's conservation values will identify as a progressive

# data[].attributes.body
He revolutionized the food industry namely with the pure food and drug act which nothing like it had ever existed before.

# data[].attributes.headline
This was progressive because it made sure that the food Americans were eating was healthy and safe for them to eat.

# data[].attributes.subject
This was progressive because it made sure that the food Americans were eating was healthy and safe for them to eat.

# data[].attributes.headline
He put restriction of corporation not to hurt or to destroy them but to benefit the general public 

# data[].attributes.subject
He put restriction of corporation not to hurt or to destroy them but to benefit the general public 

# data[].attributes.headline
These actions were progressive as they were unprecedented for the time and were for the benefit of the public. 

# data[].attributes.subject
These actions were progressive as they were unprecedented for the time and were for the benefit of the public. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Progressive since he made wrong business tactics right which would benefit the people 

# data[].attributes.subject
Progressive since he made wrong business tactics right which would benefit the people 

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt's views on consumer protection are progressive because he has the consumer's safety as his first thought.

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt's views on consumer protection are progressive because he has the consumer's safety as his first thought.

# data[].attributes.headline
Progressive because he was protecting his people. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Progressive because he was protecting his people. 

# data[].attributes.headline
These actions were progressive because the restrictions on big businesses made it so that the working class couldn't be taken advantage as much.

# data[].attributes.subject
These actions were progressive because the restrictions on big businesses made it so that the working class couldn't be taken advantage as much.

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After the horrors of the food industrial was fully shown to the public, he quickly enacted change in order to ease the public's worry.

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progressive, again making changes for the good of the people.

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progressive, again making changes for the good of the people.

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progressive because he treated everyone equally

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ieboir

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progressive, making changes to benefit the public good and the people.

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progressive, making changes to benefit the public good and the people.

# data[].attributes.headline
Progressive because he is breaking up the large and corrupt trusts that were built up years prior to his presidency. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Progressive because he is breaking up the large and corrupt trusts that were built up years prior to his presidency. 

# data[].attributes.body
between the laws enacted and the actions he took Roosevelt dealt with different races in a manner no presidents before him did.

# data[].attributes.headline
The actions that Roosevelts took for consumer protection were very progressive because they revolutionized industry in the interest of the public's benefit. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The actions that Roosevelts took for consumer protection were very progressive because they revolutionized industry in the interest of the public's benefit. 

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progressive because he was trying ot change the traditional views upon other races by setting a good example as the president excepting all races.

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progressive because he was trying ot change the traditional views upon other races by setting a good example as the president excepting all races.

# data[].attributes.body
This is progressive because Roosevelt has the well-being and health of the people in mind when undertaking this task and enforcing new legislation.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt had progressive thoughts when talking with Booker T. Washington, but was not progressive in the Brownsville incident.

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt had progressive thoughts when talking with Booker T. Washington, but was not progressive in the Brownsville incident.

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After getting backlash about having dinner with Booker T. Washington, he never invited another man of a different race to the White House again. His long term plan was just pushing the issue of equality onto someone else, making him not progressive in this section.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt viewed African-Americans with equal respect as he did white ppl, and diminished Jim Crow and other remnants of post-slavery oppression of black ppl in the U.S.

# data[].attributes.subject
Roosevelt viewed African-Americans with equal respect as he did white ppl, and diminished Jim Crow and other remnants of post-slavery oppression of black ppl in the U.S.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roosevelt's actions were not very Progressive. He had the right idea, but as it said in the article, he took a "passive" and "long-term" approach to racial equality.

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Roosevelt's actions were not very Progressive. He had the right idea, but as it said in the article, he took a "passive" and "long-term" approach to racial equality.

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He did not give the blacks a fair trial.

# data[].attributes.headline
This was a progressive move because Roosevelt was looking out for the health of the public (or the consumers of these products).

# data[].attributes.subject
This was a progressive move because Roosevelt was looking out for the health of the public (or the consumers of these products).

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Not progressive he did not take action on the matter of racial equality he took more of a "passive" and "long-term" approach

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Not progressive he did not take action on the matter of racial equality he took more of a "passive" and "long-term" approach

# data[].attributes.headline
This is progressive because it shows a president treating all races the same which wasn't done by others in history 

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This is progressive because it shows a president treating all races the same which wasn't done by others in history 

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Not progressive because he didn't address the Brownsville Affair correctly.

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Not progressive because he didn't address the Brownsville Affair correctly.