Period 7: 1890-1945
Jobless Men Keep Going
Between 1890 and 1945, the United States entered more foreign conflicts than ever before, but also faced some of its most formidable domestic problems. From the Progressives to the end of World War II, foreign conflicts and domestic issues altered the role of government, sparked debates over American identity, and had a profound cultural impact in an increasingly pluralistic society. This Depression-era photograph embodies the theme of politics throughout Period 7. The failure of the previous era's laissez-faire necessitated change. The response came initially with the Progressives, like Theodore Roosevelt, who attempted to regulate capitalism and make reforms to help ordinary people, and later through a similar strand of thinking with Franklin D. Roosevelt who is often known for saving capitalism from its own demise with important regulations. Along with World War II, the Progressives and FDR were instrumental in changing the role of government in society and the economy. The response to economic and social struggles had a lasting impact on the norms of American politics.