The term references President Theodore Roosevelt’s domestic program. It encompassed efforts to protect the public interest by intervening in conflicts between labor and capital, regulating businesses, and conserving natural resources. This approach sought to ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all segments of society.
This policy framework is significant within the context of early 20th-century American history because it reflected a shift in the role of the federal government. It moved beyond a laissez-faire approach to actively address social and economic inequalities arising from rapid industrialization. The framework’s legacy includes increased government oversight of industries, the promotion of consumer protection, and the establishment of national parks and forests.