Progressive Movement Practice Exam

How were President Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal and President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society similar?

1. Returned control of social welfare programs to the states

2. Relied on individual initiative to improve the economy

3. Were supported by Congress over the objections of the majority of state governments

4. Increased the role of the Federal Government in dealing with social and economic problems

The correct answer is: Increased the role of the Federal Government in dealing with social and economic problems

The correct choice highlights how both President Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal and President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society significantly expanded the role of the federal government in addressing social and economic issues facing the nation. The Square Deal, initiated in the early 1900s, focused on consumer protection, corporate regulation, and labor rights. Roosevelt believed in using federal power to ensure fairness and promote the welfare of all Americans, which involved regulating big businesses and implementing reforms aimed at improving working conditions. Similarly, the Great Society, launched in the 1960s, aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. Through a series of initiatives and legislation, Johnson's administration sought to enhance social welfare programs, increase federal funding for education and healthcare, and expand civil rights protections. Both initiatives represented a significant departure from previous approaches by encouraging a more proactive federal government role in mitigating social inequalities and stimulating economic growth. This overarching theme of increased federal intervention is what closely aligns the two movements despite their different historical contexts and specific goals.