Short Answer 
Theodore Roosevelt’s New Nationalism advocated for strong federal government intervention to regulate big businesses and protect public interests, while Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom emphasized reducing government size and promoting market competition to limit corporate power. Both aimed for reform; however, they differed in their approaches, with Roosevelt supporting rigorous regulations and Wilson preferring a minimal intervention strategy.
Theodore Roosevelt’s New Nationalism
Theodore Roosevelt’s New Nationalism aimed to tackle the influence of big businesses through a strong federal government. This approach involved implementing rigorous regulations to protect the public interest. Key elements of this platform included:
- Government intervention in the economy to regulate corporations.
- Enhancing workers’ rights and consumer protections.
- Establishing a framework for social justice and public welfare.
Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom
In contrast, Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom focused on reducing the size of the federal government and encouraging market competition. Wilson believed that minimizing government intervention would allow for a fairer economy by reducing the power of monopolies. The core aspects of this platform consisted of:
- Promoting competition among businesses to protect consumers.
- Limiting the power of large corporations through antitrust laws.
- Encouraging individual freedom and entrepreneurship over federal regulations.
Comparative Approach to Government Intervention
Both platforms had a shared goal of reforming the power dynamics between the government and big businesses but differed significantly in their methods. Roosevelt emphasized a proactive government role to ensure reforms, while Wilson favored a more hands-off approach, trusting that the market would self-regulate. The primary distinction lay in their beliefs about the necessary level of government involvement:
- Roosevelt: Strong intervention and regulations.
- Wilson: Minimal intervention and enhanced market competition.