The Progressive Era (1900-1917) and the Great Depression/New Deal era (1929-1940) were two of the most significant reform periods in American history. In both cases Americans confronted serious economic problems associated with corporate capitalism which challenged the foundation of American society and politics. In an essay, examine the Progressive and New Deal eras in terms of how each period dealt with the economy and the relationship between government and big business/corporations. In formulating your answer, be sure to indicate the specific problems or concerns with both the economy and big business in both the Progressive Era and the Great Depression/New Deal eras. In addition, discuss how the presidential administrations (Progressive Era: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson; Depression Era: Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt) saw big business and the economy and the important acts or agencies they created to deal with the corporations/business and the economy. Be sure to cite specific events and ideas in your answer.

The Progressive Era, which lasted from 1900 to 1917, and the New Deal Era, which lasted from 1929 to 1940, were two of the most influential periods of history for the United States of America.  Economically, both periods saw great challenges and great change.  Government leaders were forced to employ creative reforms which would serve to control big business and protect the welfare of the public.
One of the major issues that the Progressive Era saw during this time was the formation of corporate trusts, businesses that banded together to control the market and destroy the competition.  This was terrible for people because it meant that prices of goods and services skyrocketed, hurting customers.  Another issue during this time was the child labor market, which forced children to work in harsh conditions for low wages for up to 12 hours a day. Last, but certainly not least, there was an extremely high level of unemployment during this time; workers were essentially forced to accept dangerous, horrible jobs for terribly low wages.
All of these issues were direct outcomes of big business attempting to make a high profit on the backs of the public. Due to a combination of industrialization and urbanization, it was easy for big business to take advantage of people looking for work in the city and difficult to solve these issues. Thankfully, with the help of Progressive presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson and the growing public support for change brought about by the Muckrakers, the government was able to enact reforms that would help keep the public safe.
By giving the people more power to directly affect political processes, the government was able to limit the power of the corrupt big city bosses.  For example, they gave the people a direct primary election, which was a chance for all members of a party to take part in a nomination that would give the bosses less chance of getting one of their own elected to office. People could also petition to get a proposed law on the ballot, as well institute referendums, which would allow the people to enact legislation that a state legislature was either unwilling or unable to do. They could also recall elected officials from office.  All of these pieces of legislation, known as the Wisconsin Idea, were part of the project of Wisconsin governor Robert M. LaFollette.
The Progressive Era also saw the passing of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, which allowed for the direct election of senators, as opposed to using state legislature to select them.  In 1902, Maryland became the first state to offer workmen's compensation. Under the 1916 Workmen's Compensation Act, some protection was offered to federal employees. Women’s suffrage and children’s rights were also tackled during this time period, leading to better working conditions and more rights for both.
During the New Deal Era, President Franklin Roosevelt sought to rebuild the nation. In his plan for reform, he outlined several issues which needed to be fixed.  The key issues he identified were as follows: bringing immediate economic relief to the suffering populace, as well as reforms in industry, agriculture, finance, waterpower, labour, and housing. The Great Depression had brought about the suffering of millions of Americans, essentially crippling the agricultural industry and causing massive unemployment, starvation, and poverty. Essentially, his plan was a direct response to the inability of the Hoover administration to deal with the aftermath of The Great Depression.
Many of these actions were immediate upon the inauguration of President Roosevelt and took place within the first 100 days of his administration. He enacted the Works Progress Administration in order to dispense emergency government aid and temporary jobs to unemployed and destitute people. He also wanted—and needed—to revitalize business and agriculture for the nation.  To achieve this, he set up the National Recovery Administration, which helped shape industrial codes governing trade practices, wages, hours, child labor, and collective bargaining. 
President Roosevelt also knew that he would need to avoid another stock market crash like the one the nation saw in 1929.  He set up the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which granted government insurance for bank deposits in member banks of the Federal Reserve System. All of these measures, and many more, helped shape the future of the nation and ensured the prosperity and recovery that was so desperately needed after the scars left by industrialization and The Great Depression.