How was Theodore Roosevelt able to initiate progressive reforms that were unpopular with his party?%0D%0A%0D%0A(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt had friends within Congress.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt had friends within Congress.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt was popular with Americans.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt was popular with Americans.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt had the support of the Supreme Court.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt had the support of the Supreme Court.%0D%0A%0D%0ARoosevelt won the presidential election by a landslide.

1 answer

Roosevelt was able to initiate progressive reforms that were unpopular with his party for several reasons:

1. Roosevelt had friends within Congress: He had built strong relationships with lawmakers from both parties, allowing him to leverage these connections to push his progressive agenda forward.

2. Roosevelt was popular with Americans: He had cultivated a strong public image and enjoyed widespread popularity among the American people. This popularity gave him a mandate and the political capital to pursue his reforms, even if they were not initially embraced by his party.

3. Roosevelt had the support of the Supreme Court: With the assistance of sympathetic justices on the Supreme Court, Roosevelt was able to overcome legal challenges and opposition to his progressive policies. This support from the judiciary helped him implement his reforms effectively.

4. Roosevelt won the presidential election by a landslide: In the 1904 presidential election, Roosevelt secured a victory by a wide margin, which strengthened his position within his own party and gave him the confidence to pursue his progressive agenda, regardless of initial opposition from party members.

Overall, Roosevelt's personal popularity, alliances within Congress, support from the Supreme Court, and electoral successes all contributed to his ability to initiate progressive reforms that were initially unpopular with his party.