Teddy Roosevelt changed America forever with his "speak softly and carry a big stick" policy. This policy ushered in the Progressive Era, in which many strove to achieve social change and improvement. There is reason to believe that progressive movements have had little effect on society. However, thanks to progressive presidents, awareness of factory conditions, and activists seeking to expand rights, several amendments were passed between 1900 and 1920. Progressives have had a lasting, if not immediate, impact on society. The Progressive Era was marked by progressive presidents. For example, Teddy Roosevelt was known as the first progressive president because of his big business policies. Teddy Roosevelt was known for breaching trust, as shown in the Washington Post political cartoon, where Teddy stands on a bear labeled "bad trusts." However, Teddy didn't break many trusts. He laid the groundwork for the business regulation that his successor William Howard Taft excelled at, destroying over 70 trusts during his presidency. During the time of the third progressive president, Woodrow Wilson, many laws were passed, including the Clayton Anti-trust Act of 1914. This act states that sellers can no longer have different prices for consumers. The law also stated that unions were legitimate, which had previously only been frowned upon. However, some did not think Wilson was very effective as president. Herbert Croly, who wrote the New Republic, believed Wilson was lying or stupid because he thought the passing acts would make things right. Presidents were not the only ones focused on changing society, middle class citizens were focused on changing conditions in factories. Big corporations expose themselves in the muck... in the middle of the paper... B. Anthony was very politically active during this time. Another movement going on at the time was the movement for African American equality. Despite the fact that African Americans were enslaved, they were still treated as if they were inferior. This movement is shown at its peak in The Crisis written by WEB DuBois. In The Crisis, DuBois talks about African American soldiers who will return home from war and demand equality. As much as these advocates wanted change, it was a slow process. Progressive presidents have done their best to instigate change through legislative measures, civilians have pushed for those bills, and many have raised their voices in favor of equality. However, there was no real immediate change. While the reformers may have had all the perfect answers or solutions, they were the ones who set the wheels in motion of the society we have today..