The Progressive Era Honors US History Section 1

The Progressive Era Honors US History

Section 1: Objectives n n By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Explain the four goals of progressivism 2. Summarize progressive efforts to clean up government 3. Identify progressive efforts to reform state government, protect workers, and reform elections.

Origins of Progressivism: – Progressive Movement: Aimed to restore economic opportunities and correct the injustices in American life. – These were the problems: – Economic inequities – Environmental issues – Social welfare – Working conditions – Rights for women and children

Four Goals of Reformers (Progressivism) 1. 2. 3. 4. Protect social welfare Promote moral development Secure economic reform Foster efficiency

Protect Social Welfare: n n n Employers felt little responsibility toward their workers. Work was tough and unsafe As a result, settlement houses and churches served the community and organizations like the YMCA (opened libraries and sponsored classes) and the Salvation Army (Soup kitchens) took on service roles.

Promote Moral Development: n n n Many reformers felt that the nation would be better off if they improved their personal behavior. – alcohol was undermining American morals. Prohibition – the banning of alcoholic beverages. Many groups fought this (saloons, and restaurants) Groups wishing to ban alcohol included the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (urged saloon keepers to close up their bars) (WCTU) Later in the 1920’s there would be a much bigger prohibition movement.

WCTU: Ban Alcohol n n Carry Nation would use her hatchet to bust up saloons and alcohol bottles She was 6 feet tall and weighed in at 175…Nobody messes with that!

Creating Economic Reform: n n The Panic of 1893 prompted some Americans to question the capitalist economic system (uneven balance among businesses and ordinary people. ) Eugene Debs organized the American Socialist Party in 1901.

Muckrakers Criticize Big Business: n n Investigative journalists, known as “Muckrakers, ” exposed corruption in business. (Modern Day Muckraker examples? ) For example, Ida Tarbell exposed Standard Oil Company’s cut-throat methods of eliminating competition. (vertical and horizontal integration)

Protecting Working Children: n n n As the number of child workers rose, reformers worked to end child labor. Children were more prone to accidents caused by fatigue. Nearly every state limited or banned child labor by 1918

Efforts to Limit Hours: n n The Supreme Court and the states enacted or strengthened laws reducing women’s hours of work to 10 hrs. a day. (they were being overworked) Progressives also succeeded in winning worker’s compensation to aid families of injured workers.

Election Reform: n n Citizens fought for and secured such measures such as: Initiatives – voters could create a bill rather than lawmakers Referendums – Voters accepted or rejected the initiative Recalls – Enabled voters to force out public officials by having them face another election

Direct Election of Senators: n n n Before 1913, each state’s legislature had chosen U. S. senators. To force senators to be more responsive to the public, Progressives pushed for the popular (vote) election of senators. As a result, Congress passed the 17 th Amendment in 1913.

Fostering Efficiency: n n n Many Progressive leaders put their faith in Scientific Management scientific principles to make society better. In industry, Frederick Taylor began using time and motion studies to improve factory efficiency. Taylorism became an industry fad as factories sought to complete each task quickly.

Did We Meet Our Objectives? n n Can You: 1. Explain the four goals of progressivism 2. Summarize progressive efforts to clean up government 3. Identify progressive efforts to reform state government, protect workers, and reform elections.

Section 2: Objectives n n By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Describe the growing presence of women in the workforce at the turn of the 20 th Century. 2. Identify leaders of the woman suffrage movement 3. Explain how woman suffrage was achieved.

Women in Public Life: n n Before the Civil War, American women were expected to devote their time to home and family. (Cult of Domesticity) By the late 19 th and early 20 th century, women were visible in the workforce.

Women in the Workforce: n n Opportunities for women increased especially in the cities. By 1900, one out of five women worked. (Typically held the lowest skilled job and lowest pay) The garment industry was popular as were office work, retail, and education.

Women Lead Reform: n n Many of the leading Progressive reformers were women. Middle and upper class women entered the public sphere after graduating from the new women’s colleges.

Higher Education: n n By the late 19 th Century, marriage was no longer a woman’s only alternative. Smith, Wellesley, and Vassar Colleges accepted women. Columbia, Brown, and Harvard did not. (Created their own separate women’s colleges) Many women that graduated from these schools never married – they wanted to retain their independence.

Women and Reform: n n n What do you think is going through these guy’s minds? Women reformers strove to improve conditions at work and home. In 1896, African. American women formed the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). (organized kindergartens, nurseries and literacy programs) Suffrage was another important issue for women.

Susan B. Anthony: n n n Susan B. Anthony was a leading advocate of women’s suffrage – the right to vote. In 1869 Anthony and Cady Stanton founded the National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Many men feared the changing role of women in society. WHY?

A 3 -Part Strategy For Suffrage: n Suffragist leaders tried three approaches to winning the vote: 1. Convincing state legislatures to adopt the vote. 2. Pursuing court cases to test 14 th Amendment. 3. Pushing for national Constitutional amendment.

What Was The Outcome? n n n In 1875, The Supreme Court ruled that women were indeed citizens but denied that citizenship automatically allowed the right to vote. For the next 40 years, other measures were voted down time and time again. Finally in 1919, the 19 th Amendment granted women the right to vote!!

Did We Meet Our Objectives? n n Can You: 1. Describe the growing presence of women in the workforce at the turn of the 20 th Century. 2. Identify leaders of the woman suffrage movement 3. Explain how woman’s suffrage was achieved

Section 3: Objectives n n n By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Describe the events of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency 2. Explain how Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to regulate business 3. Identify laws passed to protect public health and the environment 4. Summarize Roosevelt’s stand on civil rights.

Section 3: Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal n n n n Main Idea: As President, Theodore Roosevelt worked to give citizens a Square Deal through progressive reforms. Key Terms: The Jungle Square Deal Meat Inspection Act Pure Food and Drug Act Conservation n n Why it Matters Now: As part of his Square Deal, Roosevelt’s conservation efforts made a permanent impact on environmental resources. Key Names: Upton Sinclair Theodore Roosevelt

Upton Sinclair: The Jungle n n n People were working hard during these hard times. Profits were soaring…but at what expense? Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle in 1906. The book focused on the sickening conditions of the meatpacking industry. The book made quite the impression on Theodore Roosevelt. He promised to fix the problems of mass production in the US.

Workers Rights n Those who JUMPED! n The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory caught fire on March 25, 1911. The fire spread through the 8 th, 9 th, 10 th floors as oil soaked machines and cloth fed the fire. As workers attempted to flee, they discovered that management had locked all but one exit door which was blocked by fire. 146 women died, some burnt beyond recognition.

President Mc. Kinley is SHOT! n President Mc. Kinley was at the Pan-American Expo in Buffalo New York on September 5, 1901. While shaking hands with people, Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, pushed Mc. Kinley’s hand away, and shot him with a cleverly disguised gun inside a bandage. President Mc. Kinley died September 14, 1901.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal: n n Teddy Roosevelt was not supposed to be the president…. But when President William Mc. Kinley was assassinated six months into his second term, Theodore Roosevelt became the nation’s 26 th president Roosevelt had always been considered by the political bosses as “impossible” to control. They hadn’t seen anything yet.

Teddy Roosevelt: Background Information n Born into a wealthy family. He had severe asthma, but vowed to not let it stop him – he took up horseback riding and shooting. At Harvard, he boxed and wrestled.

Teddy Roosevelt: The Rough Riders n n n Roosevelt captured national attention by advocating war with Spain in 1898. His volunteer cavalry brigade, the Rough Riders, won public acclaim for its role in the battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. Roosevelt returned a hero and was soon elected governor of NY and later Mc. Kinley’s vice -president.

The Modern Presidency: n n When Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency in 1901, he became the youngest president ever at age 42. He quickly established himself as a modern president who could influence the media and shape legislation. (Bully Pulpit)

The Teddy Bear: n When the president spared a bear cub on a hunting expedition, a toymaker marketed a popular new product – the teddy bear.

The Square Deal: n n n Roosevelt saw the presidency as a “bully pulpit” where he could influence almost anyone. He responded by created The Square Deal – The term is used as a blanket term to describe the various progressive reforms sponsored by the Roosevelt administration. Unlike past presidents, Roosevelt set a National Agenda.

Using Federal Power: Trust busting: n n By 1900, Trusts – legal bodies created to hold stock in many companies – controlled 80% of U. S. industries. Roosevelt filed 44 antitrust suits under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act n The goal was to break up unfair business practices.

The 1902 Coal Strike: n n n In 1902, 140, 000 coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike for increased wages, a 9 -hour work day, and the right to unionize. Mine owners refused to bargain. Roosevelt called in both sides and settled the dispute. (Arbitration) Thereafter, when a strike threatened public welfare, the federal government was expected to step in and help.

Pure Food and Drug Act: n n I’m sure these worked pretty well…. n Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. At the time, companies were promising their products to do everything from curing cancer, to growing more hair. Popular children’s medicines contained opium, cocaine, and alcohol. The Act also halted the sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling. Expiration dates were also included on canned food.

Meat Inspection Act n n Meat Inspection Act of 1906 was partially to the credit of Sinclair’s, “The Jungle” Roosevelt was suspicious of the book so he sent top aids to make surprise inspections The aids were revolted despite efforts to clean the plants up The Act made federal guidelines for meat handling and safety

Roosevelt and the Environment: n n Roosevelt was a big environmentalist because he spent so much time outside hunting, horseback riding, and camping. Before Roosevelt’s presidency, the federal government paid very little attention to the nation’s natural resources. Roosevelt made conservation a primary concern of his administration.

Roosevelt’s Environmental Accomplishments: n n Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming Roosevelt set aside 148 million acres of forest reserves, 1. 5 million acres of water-power sites (Dams), 50 wildlife sanctuaries, and several national parks. (Gifford Pinchot named head of Forest Department) Conservation – some wilderness areas would be preserved, while others would be developed for the common good.

Did We Meet Our Objectives? n n n Can You: 1. Describe the events of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency 2. Explain how Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to regulate business 3. Identify laws passed to protect public health and the environment 4. Summarize Roosevelt’s stand on civil rights.

Section 4: Objectives n n By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Summarize the events of the Taft presidency. 2. Explain the division in the Republican party. 3. Describe the election of 1912.

Section 4: Progressivism Under Taft n n Main Idea: Taft’s ambivalent approach to progressive reform led to a split in the Republican Party and the loss of the presidency to the Democrats. n Why it Matters Now: Third-party candidates continue to wrestle with how to become viable candidates. Key Terms: Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bull Moose Party n Key Names: Gifford Pinchot William Howard Taft Woodrow Wilson n

I felt like the bullying meeting yesterday was effective: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Definitely Somewhat Average Not really It was a waste of time 20

After Roosevelt: n n n Roosevelt was president for 8 years and accomplished a lot. Now it was time for someone new – Taft Some of Roosevelt’s policies came under scrutiny from various organizations. Gifford Pinchot head of the US Forest Service came under fire for conserving so much land for preservation. Others were starting to see the land as a great opportunity for development and growth.

Progressivism Under Taft: n n Republican William Howard Taft easily defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 presidential election. Among his accomplishments, Taft “busted” 90 trusts during his four years in office – more than Theodore Roosevelt during his eight years in office.

Why was the topic of conservation important at this time? 1. 2. 3. 4. The land wasn’t bringing in any money New opportunities could be had Many people couldn’t even use all of the open space that was available All of the above 20

The Payne Aldrich Tariff: n n Payne Bill – Lowered rates on imported manufactured goods. Aldrich Bill – Made fewer cuts and increased many rates Payne-Aldrich Tariff – A compromise between the two – this tariff angered progressives because it was really no different than the Aldrich Bill. Taft stuck his foot in his mouth by saying it was: “the best tariff bill the Republican Party ever passed. ”

Disputing Public Lands: n n Taft: Wouldn’t a strip mall look great right here! n Taft deregulated 1 million acres of preserved land returned it to the public. He and his officials were accused (by some of his own people – Pinchot) of letting commercial interests exploit the natural resources that rightfully belonged to the public. Taft fired Gifford Pinchot from his spot at the head of the US Forest Service.

The Republican Party Splits: n n n Taft couldn’t hold the two wings (conservatives and reformers) of the Republican Party together. Voters started to blame Taft for the rising costs of living and loss of conservation of land. The Democrats would soon regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 18 years.

Why did Taft have trouble keeping the Republican Party together? 1. 2. 3. 4. They didn’t like Taft They wanted higher tariffs The progressives and reformers didn’t agree on policy None of the above 20

The Bull Moose Party: 1912 Election n Republicans split in 1912 between Taft and Roosevelt (who returned after a safari to Africa). Convention delegates nominated Taft and discontented Republicans formed a third party, the Progressive Party (nicknamed the Bull Moose Party), and nominated Roosevelt. The Democrats put forward a reform-minded New Jersey governor, Woodrow Wilson. (who would later win the presidency)

More About: The Bull Moose Party n n n n The Bull Moose Party (called this because they thought Roosevelt was as strong as a Bull Moose) supported: 1. Women’s suffrage 2. Worker’s compensation 3. An 8 -hr. work day 4. A minimum wage for women 5. A federal law against child labor 6. A federal trade commission to regulate business.

So, How Did Wilson Win? n n n The split between Taft and Roosevelt turned nasty. (name calling) – they divided themselves. Wilson endorsed a progressive platform called the “New Freedom”, it demanded: 1. Stronger Antitrust legislation 2. Banking reform 3. Reduced Tariffs Wilson with a 42% popular vote.

What aided Woodrow Wilson the MOST in the presidential campaign? 1. 2. 3. 4. His new ideas His popularity with the people The bickering going on between Roosevelt and Taft All of the above 20

Did We Meet Our Objectives? n n Can You: 1. Summarize the events of the Taft presidency. 2. Explain the division in the Republican party. 3. Describe the election of 1912.

Section 5: Objectives n n By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Describe Woodrow Wilson’s background and the progressive reforms of his presidency. 2. List the steps leading to women suffrage. 3. Explain the limits of Wilson’s progressivism.

Section 5: Wilson’s New Freedom n n Main Idea: Woodrow Wilson established a strong reform agenda as a progressive leader. Key Terms: Clayton Antitrust Act Federal Trade Commission (FTC) n n Why it Matters Now: The passage of the 19 th Amendment during Wilson’s administration granted women the right to vote. Key Terms: Federal Reserve System 19 th Amendment

Wilson Wins Financial Reforms: n n n Wilson was a progressive president He aimed to give greater power to average citizens He grew up in the South, which unfortunately affected his ability to use federal power to help civil rights.

Key Antitrust Measures: n n In 1914 Congress enacted the Clayton Anti-Trust Act that strengthened the Sherman Act. It had an anti-trust provision that prevented companies from acquiring stock from another company and supported workers’ unions.

Key Antitrust Measures: Part 2 n n The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was formed in 1914 to serve as a “watchdog” agency to end unfair business practices. The FTC protects consumers from business fraud.

A New Tax System: n Wilson worked hard to lower tariffs, however, the lost revenue had to be made up and was when the 16 th Amendment instituted a graduated federal income tax.

Federal Income Tax: n n n Larger incomes were taxed at higher rates than smaller incomes. Ranged from 1 -6% Today, income taxes from businesses and individuals represent the federal government’s main source of revenue.

Federal Reserve System: n n n Federal Reserve Building Now financial reform was on the table Credit and money supply had to keep pace with the economy. The Federal Reserve System was put into action. It created a network of banks that could loan money to one another and even issue new currency if needed. This system still serves as the basis of our nation’s banking system.

Women Win Suffrage: n n The suffrage movement was given new strength by the growing numbers of college -educated women. So, how did they finally achieve success? Catt Chapman succeeded Susan B. Anthony for the head of the NAWSA. She concentrated on FIVE tactics.

Five Tactics of NAWSA: n n n 1. Painstaking organization 2. Close ties between local, state, and national workers 3. Establishing a wide base of support 4. Cautious lobbying 5. Gracious, ladylike behavior

How the War Helped: n n n America became involved in WW I. Patriotic women headed committees They knitted socks for soldiers Sold liberty bonds In 1919, Congress finally passed the 19 th Amendment – granted women the right to vote. It had only taken 72 yrs (Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 was when they first tried)

Limits of Progressivism: n n The KKK reached a membership of 4. 5 million in the 1920 s While the Progressive era was responsible for many important reforms, it failed to make gains for African Americans. Like Roosevelt and Taft, Wilson retreated on Civil Rights when he entered office.

Did We Meet All Of Our Objectives? n n n 1. Describe Woodrow Wilson’s background and the progressive reforms of his presidency. 2. List the steps leading to women suffrage. 3. Explain the limits of Wilson’s progressivism.