What was the role of the

Supreme Court in
progressive reform?
(Progressive Presidents)

1 answer

The Supreme Court played a crucial role in progressive reform during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. The Court was often called upon to interpret and uphold the laws and regulations that these presidents passed to address issues such as corporate monopolies, worker rights, and environmental conservation.

One of the most significant cases during this time was Northern Securities Co. v. United States in 1904, in which the Supreme Court ruled against the Northern Securities Company for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. This decision marked a major victory for the progressive movement and led to increased regulation of corporate monopolies.

Additionally, the Supreme Court upheld progressive labor laws such as minimum wage and maximum hour laws in cases like Muller v. Oregon (1908) and Bunting v. Oregon (1917). These decisions helped to protect workers' rights and improve working conditions.

Overall, the Supreme Court's role in progressive reform was to interpret and enforce the laws passed by progressive presidents, ensuring that their policies were implemented and upheld in a way that promoted social and economic justice.