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Origins of Progressive Reform: Origins of Progressive Reform: Municipal, State, and National and Municipal, State, and National and

Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson as Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson as

Progressive PresidentsProgressive Presidents

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The Bull Moose PartyThe Bull Moose Party In the election of 1912, former In the election of 1912, former

president Theodore Roosevelt split the president Theodore Roosevelt split the Republican Party when he lost the Republican Party when he lost the nomination to William Howard Taft. nomination to William Howard Taft.

In response to the claim that Roosevelt In response to the claim that Roosevelt was no longer fit for the office, he was no longer fit for the office, he responded that he was "fit as a bull responded that he was "fit as a bull moose;" it was from this comment that moose;" it was from this comment that the Progressive Party received its the Progressive Party received its nickname. nickname.

The Progressives substantially The Progressives substantially overshadowed the Republicans in the overshadowed the Republicans in the election, but never again regained the election, but never again regained the amount of support garnered in the amount of support garnered in the 1912 election, primarily due to 1912 election, primarily due to adjustments on behalf of both of the adjustments on behalf of both of the mainstream parties.mainstream parties.

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SocialismSocialism The Progressive movement was The Progressive movement was

not the only reform movement in not the only reform movement in play at the turn of the century; play at the turn of the century; the Socialists were also growing the Socialists were also growing in prominence. in prominence.

Often at odds with Progressives, Often at odds with Progressives, the Socialists followed a different the Socialists followed a different ideology, ranging from radicalism ideology, ranging from radicalism to social democracy. to social democracy.

Eugene V. Debs was the most Eugene V. Debs was the most prominent Socialist of his time; prominent Socialist of his time; he was promoted as the Socialist he was promoted as the Socialist candidate for the presidency 5 candidate for the presidency 5 times.times.

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TariffsTariffs Tariffs were one of the Tariffs were one of the

most salient and most salient and contentious issues in contentious issues in Progressive era politics; Progressive era politics; they were the largest they were the largest source of income for the source of income for the United States government United States government through the end of World through the end of World War I. War I.

For this reason, the rate For this reason, the rate of tariffs varied of tariffs varied dramatically over the turn dramatically over the turn of the century and of the century and throughout the course of throughout the course of Progressive presidencies, Progressive presidencies, each man tailoring the each man tailoring the tariff rates to his specific tariff rates to his specific ideology.ideology.

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Trade RegulationTrade Regulation The first time government regulated business was in 1887 when the The first time government regulated business was in 1887 when the

Interstate Commerce Act was passed. Interstate Commerce Act was passed. Many farmers in the Western half of the country resented the control that Many farmers in the Western half of the country resented the control that

the railroads exerted over them, they set the prices for shipping at will the railroads exerted over them, they set the prices for shipping at will and often much higher than market value. and often much higher than market value.

Regulation was first attempted at the state level, but the laws were Regulation was first attempted at the state level, but the laws were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The Interstate Commerce Act effectively created the Interstate The Interstate Commerce Act effectively created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the first federal regulatory commission. Commerce Commission (ICC), the first federal regulatory commission.

Designed to keep the railroads from forming monopolies and employing Designed to keep the railroads from forming monopolies and employing unfair business practices, the Act mandated reasonable, published unfair business practices, the Act mandated reasonable, published shipping rates and outlawed price discrimination and secret rebates to shipping rates and outlawed price discrimination and secret rebates to preferred customers. preferred customers.

The responsibilities of the ICC expanded to include worker safety and anti The responsibilities of the ICC expanded to include worker safety and anti discrimination through two subsequent acts, Elkins Act of 1903 and the discrimination through two subsequent acts, Elkins Act of 1903 and the Mann-Elkins Act of 1920.Mann-Elkins Act of 1920.

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Trust BustingTrust Busting Along with the rise of industry and corporations in America, Along with the rise of industry and corporations in America,

was the emergence of trusts and monopolies, business was the emergence of trusts and monopolies, business entities that aimed to control an entire market in order to entities that aimed to control an entire market in order to manipulate prices and garner profits significantly higher manipulate prices and garner profits significantly higher than the market would allow. than the market would allow.

Senator John Sherman initially introduced the legislation to Senator John Sherman initially introduced the legislation to prevent trusts from forming to protect the American prevent trusts from forming to protect the American Consumer. Consumer.

Although Theodore Roosevelt is most closely associated Although Theodore Roosevelt is most closely associated with trust busting, William Howard Taft and William with trust busting, William Howard Taft and William McKinley both played major roles in the era, by beginning McKinley both played major roles in the era, by beginning anti-trust proceedings and initiating the Industrial anti-trust proceedings and initiating the Industrial Commission on Trusts.Commission on Trusts.

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The firstThe first, United States v E. C. Knight Co., decided in 1895, was the , United States v E. C. Knight Co., decided in 1895, was the first case heard by the Supreme Court concerning the Sherman Anti-first case heard by the Supreme Court concerning the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Trust Act.

The Court decided that the Legislature did not have the authority to The Court decided that the Legislature did not have the authority to regulate the monopoly in question and it effectively limited the regulate the monopoly in question and it effectively limited the government’s power over them.government’s power over them.

The secondThe second, Northern Securities v United States, decided in 1904, , Northern Securities v United States, decided in 1904, determined that the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was sufficient to regulate determined that the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was sufficient to regulate a monopoly, overturning the earlier E.C. Knight Co. decision. a monopoly, overturning the earlier E.C. Knight Co. decision.

Northern Securities was a railroad conglomerate formed by the Northern Securities was a railroad conglomerate formed by the financiers JP Morgan, James Hill, JD Rockefeller, and EH Harriman financiers JP Morgan, James Hill, JD Rockefeller, and EH Harriman and essentially controlled all rail lines in the northern portion of the and essentially controlled all rail lines in the northern portion of the United States. The decision dissolved the trust.United States. The decision dissolved the trust.

The thirdThe third decision listed is that of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v decision listed is that of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v United States from 1911. United States from 1911.

The company was found guilty of intentionally monopolizing the The company was found guilty of intentionally monopolizing the petroleum market and forced to split into multiple competing petroleum market and forced to split into multiple competing organizations.organizations.

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Coal Strike 1902Coal Strike 1902 In 1902, the United Mine In 1902, the United Mine

Workers of America Workers of America launched a strike in the launched a strike in the Anthracite coalfields in Anthracite coalfields in eastern Pennsylvania that eastern Pennsylvania that effectively changed the effectively changed the government’s relationship government’s relationship with labor and corporations. with labor and corporations.

Whereas no coal was being Whereas no coal was being mined and the nation used mined and the nation used coal to heat homes, and in coal to heat homes, and in light of the coming winter, light of the coming winter, the president was forced to the president was forced to intervene to prevent a intervene to prevent a national disaster.national disaster.

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ConservationConservation The Conservation Movement began in The Conservation Movement began in

the late 19th century, but enjoyed greater the late 19th century, but enjoyed greater support through legislation, such as the support through legislation, such as the Forest Reserve Act and the Newlands Forest Reserve Act and the Newlands Reclamation Act, during the early 20th Reclamation Act, during the early 20th century. century.

The conservation movement was The conservation movement was supported by Theodore Roosevelt and supported by Theodore Roosevelt and promoted the protection of forests “for promoted the protection of forests “for the greater good for the greatest length.” the greater good for the greatest length.”

Conservationists wanted to use lands for Conservationists wanted to use lands for public activities and commercial public activities and commercial endeavors, whereas an offshoot group, endeavors, whereas an offshoot group, the preservationists, wanted the lands to the preservationists, wanted the lands to be preserved for their natural beauty, be preserved for their natural beauty, scientific study, and recreation. scientific study, and recreation.

"Public opinion throughout the United States has moved steadily toward a just appreciation of the value of forests, whether planted or of natural growth."

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MuckrakersMuckrakers A muckraker, in the early 19th century, A muckraker, in the early 19th century,

was a journalist who investigated and was a journalist who investigated and exposed societal issues, usually amid a exposed societal issues, usually amid a flurry of controversy and with the goal of flurry of controversy and with the goal of reform. reform.

The term is credited to Theodore The term is credited to Theodore Roosevelt who was in favor of the Roosevelt who was in favor of the muckraking journalists; he said of them in muckraking journalists; he said of them in a speecha speech: :

“There are, in the body politic, economic and social, “There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful." only if it is absolutely truthful."

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The excerpts below are from two of the better known muckrakers.The excerpts below are from two of the better known muckrakers. The first is a selection from Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” which The first is a selection from Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” which

describes the conditions of the meat packing industry and was directly describes the conditions of the meat packing industry and was directly related to both the Meat Inspection and Pure Food and Drug Acts.related to both the Meat Inspection and Pure Food and Drug Acts.

The second is a selection from Ida Tarbell’s “History of the Standard Oil The second is a selection from Ida Tarbell’s “History of the Standard Oil Company” that exposed the ways big business attempted to circumvent Company” that exposed the ways big business attempted to circumvent anti-trust legislation an still maintain a monopoly. anti-trust legislation an still maintain a monopoly.

"the other men who worked in tank-rooms full of steam, and in some of which "the other men who worked in tank-rooms full of steam, and in some of which there were open vats near the level of the floor, their peculiar trouble was that there were open vats near the level of the floor, their peculiar trouble was that they fell into the vats; and when they were fished out, there was never enough of they fell into the vats; and when they were fished out, there was never enough of them left to be worth exhibiting,—sometimes they would be overlooked for days, them left to be worth exhibiting,—sometimes they would be overlooked for days, till all but the bones of them had gone out to the world as Durham’s Pure Leaf till all but the bones of them had gone out to the world as Durham’s Pure Leaf Lard!"-The JungleLard!"-The Jungle

"As for independent pipelines, there were so many ways of "discouraging" their "As for independent pipelines, there were so many ways of "discouraging" their building that it did not seem probable that any one would ever go far. It was only building that it did not seem probable that any one would ever go far. It was only a matter of time, then, when all remaining outside refiners must come into his a matter of time, then, when all remaining outside refiners must come into his fold or die."-History of the Standard Oil Companyfold or die."-History of the Standard Oil Company

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Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the 26th Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the 26th

president of the United States of president of the United States of America, rising to power following the America, rising to power following the assassination of William McKinley. assassination of William McKinley.

The Republican Party bosses attempted The Republican Party bosses attempted to marginalize his influence by making to marginalize his influence by making him vice president, a presumed dead-him vice president, a presumed dead-end position, but their plan backfired end position, but their plan backfired with the death of his predecessor. with the death of his predecessor.

Roosevelt was a Progressive reformer Roosevelt was a Progressive reformer who wanted to bring conservative ideals who wanted to bring conservative ideals into the 20th century. into the 20th century.

In the 1912 election, he split from the In the 1912 election, he split from the mainstream party and created the Bull mainstream party and created the Bull Moose platform, running for the Moose platform, running for the presidency on a third party ticket.presidency on a third party ticket.

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William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft William Howard Taft became the 27th William Howard Taft became the 27th

President of the United States of President of the United States of America after Theodore Roosevelt America after Theodore Roosevelt refused the Republican nomination for refused the Republican nomination for president in the 1908 election. president in the 1908 election.

Taft was a Progressive, however, his Taft was a Progressive, however, his policies differed from mainstream policies differed from mainstream Progressive politics. Progressive politics.

He was more focused on the legal He was more focused on the legal aspect of the ideology, rarely confronting aspect of the ideology, rarely confronting business practices in his speeches, but business practices in his speeches, but initiating at least 90 anti-trust suits. initiating at least 90 anti-trust suits.

Taft is very closely associated with his Taft is very closely associated with his goals for tariff reform, of which he spoke goals for tariff reform, of which he spoke often, and his advancements in foreign often, and his advancements in foreign policy.policy.

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Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president

of the United States of America, elected of the United States of America, elected during the highly contested election of during the highly contested election of 1912. 1912.

A Democrat, but a Progressive president A Democrat, but a Progressive president nonetheless, Wilson is most recognized nonetheless, Wilson is most recognized for his regulation of the monetary system for his regulation of the monetary system having pursued the Federal Reserve Act having pursued the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. of 1913.

Instead of pursuing multiple anti-trust Instead of pursuing multiple anti-trust suits, as did his predecessors, Wilson suits, as did his predecessors, Wilson encouraged competition through monetary encouraged competition through monetary policy and the Federal Trade Commission. policy and the Federal Trade Commission.

Whereas the legislation previously in Whereas the legislation previously in place had begun to set a legal precedent, place had begun to set a legal precedent, that which Wilson initiated created that which Wilson initiated created governing bodies that could be held governing bodies that could be held responsible for the rules set in place.responsible for the rules set in place.

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Election of 1912 Election of 1912

The Presidential election of 1912 was greatly The Presidential election of 1912 was greatly affected by the introduction of the third party ticket, affected by the introduction of the third party ticket, with former president Theodore Roosevelt running with former president Theodore Roosevelt running for the Progressive Party (Bull Moose), against the for the Progressive Party (Bull Moose), against the Republican incumbent William Howard Taft, and Republican incumbent William Howard Taft, and

the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson. the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson. Many say that Roosevelt split the Republican vote Many say that Roosevelt split the Republican vote

allowing Wilson to win the presidency, but his allowing Wilson to win the presidency, but his party also appealed to many Democrats, from party also appealed to many Democrats, from

whom he also received a number of votes. whom he also received a number of votes. Roosevelt made a good showing, but fell in Roosevelt made a good showing, but fell in second place, while Taft came in a distant third. second place, while Taft came in a distant third. Wilson garnered the majority of both the popular Wilson garnered the majority of both the popular

and electoral votes.and electoral votes.

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