The Progressive Movement

Unit 2 Chapter 5

Lecture IV: The Progressive Era

A. Progressivism1. Goals of Progressivism

Fix problems caused by industrialization and urbanizationEnd the corruption in local and State governmentsGive democracy back to the people

2. Muckrakers Writers who investigated social problems and exposed them to

the American public Ida Tarbell’s A History of Standard Oil-attacked the Standard Oil

Co. Jacob Riis’ How the Other Half Lives-portrayed poverty, disease

and crime in immigrant neigborhoods Lincoln Steffens’ Shame of the Cities-exposed the corruption of

local govts.

How the Other Half Lives

How the Other Half Lives

How the Other Half Lives

B. Progressivism Promotes Democracy1. Robert La Follette’s “Laboratory of Democracy”

Direct Primaries-allow members of political parties to pick candidates for general elections

Initiative and Referendum-allowed voters to put forth and vote on legislation Recall Elections-special election to remove govt.

officials before their term is up

2. 17th Amendment (1913) Allowed Americans to vote for senators; limited the power of political machines and thwarted corruption

3. Women’s Suffrage N.A.W.S.A.-organization of women that fought for suffrage in the early 1900s 19th Amendment (1920)-gave women the right to vote

Signing of the 19th Amendment

C. Social Welfare Progressivism1. Campaign Against Child Labor

John Spargo’s The Bitter Cry of the Children Children’s Bureau -investigated children in the work- place and made suggestion to govt. on how to end child labor

2. Health and Safety Codes Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)-devastating workplace fire that led to investigations on worker safety and new laws to protect workers Workers Compensation Zoning and Building Codes

3. Temperance Movement 18th Amendment (1920)-ended the manufacturing, selling or drinking of alcohol in America

Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Lecture V: The Progressive PresidentsA. Roosevelt’s Square Deal (the 3 C’s) 1. Corporations

TR believed that some trusts were too greedy and hurt competition in the economy TR utilized the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to break up bad monopolies Earned the nickname “The Trustbuster” TR became the first president to support labor unions; supported the United Mine Workers strike in 1902 Passed the Hepburn Act to strengthen the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission in regulating the railroads

2. Consumer Protection Influenced by Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle TR passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect consumers against tainted products

3. Conservation TR and Gifford Pinchot (head of the US Forest Service) urged Americans to conserve America’s resources Established 5 National Parks and 51 federal wildlife reservations

Political Cartoons on the Trusts

Political Cartoons on the Trusts

Pure Food and Drug Act

B. President Taft’s Progressive Reforms1. The “Real” Trust Buster and Corporate Regulation

Filed twice as many anti-trust lawsuits than TRPassed the Mann-Elkins Act to increase the powers of the ICC

2. Children’s Bureau Investigated and publicized problems with child labor

3. Conservation Continued Created the Bureau of Mines to regulate mining companies Expanded the National Forests Protected waterpower sources from private development

C. Election of 19121. Republican Party Splits

TR unhappy with Taft’s policies decides to challenge him for the Republican nomination

Taft’s supporters lock TR out of Republican National Convention

2. TR and the Progressive Party TR starts his own political party based on the ideals of

progressivism Known as the Bull Moose Party

3. New Nationalism vs. New Freedom Democrats nominate Woodrow Wilson TR develops a progressive agenda that he calls New Nationalism Woodrow Wilson also promotes his own progressive agenda called the New Freedom With the Republican Party votes split between Taft and TR, Woodrow Wilson and the Democrats take the White House

D. Wilson’s Progressive Agenda: Attacking the Triple Wall of Privilege1. Tariff Reform

Passed the Underwood Tariff ; lowered the tax on imports by half Led to the passage of the 16th Amendment which created a permanent federal income

tax

2. Trusts Passed the Clayton Antitrust Act to strengthen the Sherman Antitrust Act Protected the rights of workers to form labor unions; Samuel Gompers referred to it as the

“Magna Carta of Labor” Created the Federal Trade Commission to regulate American businesses and take to court

companies that hurt competition

3. Treasury System US had not had a central bank since the 1830s Wilson established the Federal Reserve system to provide stability to the economy by

controlling interest rates and the amount of money in circulation

D. The Legacy of Progressivism1. Americans came to expect the government to play a more active role in the economy and in solving social problems2. Failed to address civil rights/civil

liberties issues-NAACP-Anti Defamation League