Question

question 6 of 10

what action did theodore roosevelt take to aid the labor movement?

a. he offered government help to mediate in the 1902 coal miner strike.
b. he used the sherman antitrust act to break up monopolies and trusts.
c. he restored power to the interstate commerce commission to control railway practices.
d. he gave the government power to inspect food production factories for safety.

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks for the specific action Theodore Roosevelt took to aid the labor movement. We need to evaluate the options to find which one directly relates to supporting or intervening on behalf of labor interests.

Evaluate the historical context of Option A

In 1902, the United Mine Workers of America went on strike in the anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania, threatening a winter coal shortage. Rather than using federal troops to break the strike (as previous presidents had done), Theodore Roosevelt intervened as a neutral arbitrator. He invited representatives of both the miners and the coal operators to the White House and threatened to use the army to run the mines if a settlement wasn't reached, leading to a compromise that granted miners a wage increase and shorter workdays. This was a landmark moment where the federal government acted as an impartial mediator rather than automatically siding with big business.

Evaluate the other options

• Option B: While Roosevelt did use the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up monopolies (earning him the nickname "Trust Buster"), this action was aimed at regulating business competition and protecting consumers, rather than being a direct action to aid the labor movement.
• Option C: Restoring power to the Interstate Commerce Commission (via the Hepburn Act of 1906) regulated railroad rates, which aided farmers and consumers but was not a direct labor movement aid.
• Option D: Giving the government power to inspect food production factories (via the Meat Inspection Act of 1906) was a consumer protection reform inspired by Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, not a direct aid to the labor movement.

Select the correct option

Option A is the only choice that directly describes an action taken by Roosevelt to intervene in a labor dispute to help workers achieve a fair resolution (part of his "Square Deal" policy).

Answer:

• (A) He offered government help to mediate in the 1902 coal miner strike. (Correct answer)
• (B) He used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up monopolies and trusts.
• (C) He restored power to the Interstate Commerce Commission to control railway practices.
• (D) He gave the government power to inspect food production factories for safety.