THE PROGRESSIVE ERA MAKING PROGRESS THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT

THE PROGRESSIVE ERA MAKING PROGRESS

THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT • ~1896 -1912 • Americans take action against corruption in Government and Business. • Corruption- a system that allows unfair or illegal success. • Americans push for reforms to improve the quality of their lives. • Reform = positive change

THE PROBLEMS • Corruption in Government • The People are losing power • Corruption in Business • Corporations control the nations wealth • Social Reform • How do we improve the lives of Americans?

CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT • Political Machines • Powerful organizations designed to illegally make a lot of money for a few people • Funded by business tycoons and “special interests” • Use their money and power to control Public Officials in most major cities. • Commit Election Fraud/Voter Fraud • Expect Political “favors” in return • Power is taken from the people and given to “Bosses” • Boss Tweed (Political Boss in NYC in the 1870’s-80’s) Political

CORRUPTION IN BUSINESS • Industrial Businessmen (Tycoons) were the most powerful people in the country. • Carnegie, Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan • 1/8 th of the population had 7/8 th of the wealth in the U. S. • Trusts and Monopolies • Trust – A company or group of companies • Monopoly – when one trust or company controls ALL parts of an industry. • Trusts and Monopolies lead to unfair business practices • Price Fixing/Collusion- (setting prices to rip of customers) • Abuse of smaller companies

IN NEED OF SOCIAL REFORM • Labor • Many poor Americans were forced to work in filthy, unsafe conditions for LONG hours, for little pay. • ex. 16 hour work days / pennies per hour • Child Labor – Children as young as 8 years old were working long hours in factories to help support their families. • No consumer protection • Americans had no one looking out for the common man • No one was making sure consumers were treated fairly • No one was inspecting goods and services

THE SOLUTIONS • Four leaders known as the “Progressive Presidents” will work to solve the problems facing the nation. • William Mc. Kinley (25 th) • Theodore Roosevelt (26 th) • William H. Taft (27 th) • Woodrow Wilson (28 th)

CORRUPTION IN GOV’T • Election Reform • Elections are more closely monitored and regulated. • Harsh penalties are put in place for crimes like election and voter fraud. • 17 th Amendment • Direct election of U. S. Senators • The American People vote for their Senators • Public Officials guilty of corruption (taking bribes/granting favors) are rooted out and removed from office. • Political power is given back to American People

CORRUPTION IN BUSINESS • Trust Busting (and Monopoly Busting) • Anti-Trust Acts are passed to limit the power of Trusts • Monopolies are broken up and made illegal • Laws and business regulations are passed to help small companies compete with larger companies • Unfair business practices are made illegal, and carry very harsh punishments.

SOCIAL REFORMS • Pro-Labor Laws • Many laws are passed that improve working conditions, increase wages, decrease hours, and improve safety. • Child Labor Laws put limits on when/where a child can work, and how they must be treated. • The Government backs labor in key disputes. • Earns the trust of the working man. • Increase in consumer protection • Acts are passed to protect consumers. • Ex. Pure Food Act, Meat Inspection Act, (will eventually lead to the F. D. A) • Businesses must stand behind their products • Consumers are less likely to be ripped off.