Progressives and Reform1901-1918Pgs. 288-293

President Roosevelt President Taft President Wilson

President Roosevelt

• President Roosevelt used the authority of his office in many ways.

• He worked to establish America has a world power.

• He worked to improve life for Americans in the United States.

• Roosevelt became know as a “progressive” President.

The Square Deal

• Roosevelt believed it was the job of the government to help citizens as much as possible.

• His program was called the Square Deal. The goal of this program was to provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for all Americans.

Commissions

• He set up committees, or special commissions, to investigate problems.– Railroad fares– Monopolies (Rockefeller)– Pure Food and Drug Act– Meat Inspection Act– Conservation (National Parks – p. 289)

President Taft

• Roosevelt decided not to seek reelection in 1908.

• William Howard Taft was elected. He was also a progressive reformer.

• Taft pushed to have the 16th Amendment ratified which allowed the federal government to tax income.

• It was ratified in 1913.

1912 Election

• Roosevelt decided to run for President against President Taft and Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

• Wilson was elected President. He also claimed to be a reformer.

• He supported the passage of the 17th Amendment which allowed the election of U.S. Senators by the people rather than being chosen by state legislators.

• It was ratified in 1913.

Civil Rights

• Many felt that progressive reforms did little to address prejudice. In 1909 W.E.B. Du Bois, an African American leader, formed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. (NAACP)

• This group worked to change laws that did not give full civil rights to African Americans and worked to end racial violence.

Civil Rights

• In the later years of his life, Du Bois believed that prejudice in the United States would never be broken down.

• He decided to leave the U.S. in 1961 and spent the rest of his life in the West African county of Ghana.

Improving Society

• 1914 – Laws were passed in almost every state making it illegal to hire children.

• 1919 – The 18th Amendment made the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States.

Prohibition Amendment

• The Prohibition Amendment was a failure. Gangsters found ways to sell alcohol.

• The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1931 by the 21st Amendment.

Carry Nation