U S History The Progressive Era 1900 1920

U. S. History The Progressive Era: 1900 -1920

The Progressive Era l Defined: l Reform movement from 1900 -1920 when reform-minded people wanted to better life in the U. S. l Wanted to correct problems created during the Gilded Age. l They wanted “progress” in social, economic, and political areas.

Goals of Progressivism l l l Eliminate corruption in government Establish a more efficient government Expand government’s role as a guardian of the workers and the poor More governmental regulation of the economy Expanded role of government in protecting the human welfare

Goals of Progressivism l l l l 1. Prohibit or limit child labor 2. Improve working conditions of women 3. Establish minimum wage 4. Improve work-place safety 5. Limit working hours 6. Care for injured workers 7. Provide assistance for unemployed Cigar making factory 1901

4 Origins of Progressive Movement l 1. Populism l l l The Grange -first farmers alliance Started as a movement of mostly farmers to protest Railroad prices Became a major 3 rd Political Party in late 1800’s Grange meeting in 1880’s

Populism l Populists Party in 1892 l Free and unlimited coinage of silver to increase the money supply and allow farmers to pay off debts l A graduated income tax l Government ownership of railroads and telegraphs l Direct election of U. S. Senators l Secret ballot to end voter fraud l An 8 hour workday l Restrictions on immigration

Populism 1896 Presidential Election l Populists supported William Jennings Bryan. Democratic Nominee l Bryan was supporter of bimetallism or free coinage of silver l With populists supporting the Democratic Bryan, the Populists Party ceased to exists l Bryan loses to William Mc. Kinley who supports big business ideas l Populist ideas of reform will give rise to Progressive Reforms l

Differences Between Populists and Progressives Populism was a rural movementfarmers and other lower-middle class workers l Populist fought the RRs l Progressivism focused on urban problems such as unsafe working conditions, bad sanitation, political machines l Progressives were middle-upper class, native born, college educated, men and women; social workers, engineers, writers, teachers, small business owners… l

4 Origins of Progressivism 2. Labor Movement l Unions sought to improve working conditions, wages and reduce working hours l 3. Socialism l Favored government control of the economic and political system l Wanted to end capitalism l Wanted to redistribute wealth more equally l

4 Origins of Progressivism l 4. Muckrakers l l Investigative journalists that exposed the problems in society in an attempt to bring about reform Given name by Teddy Roosevelttoo busy “raking at the muck at their feet and ignored the glories of the heavens above”

Muckrakers l Notable Muckrakers l Ida Tarbell- History of the Standard Oil Company (abused committed by Standard Oil) l Frank Norris- The Octupus (railroad corruption/monopolies) l Jacob Riis –How the Other Half Lives (slum life in NYC) l Lincoln Steffens –The Shame of the Cities (Political corruption) l Upton Sinclair –The Jungle (meatpacking industry and capitalists greed) Impact l Theodore Dreiser –Sister Carrie –(conditions of workers) Ida Tarbell Lincoln Steffens Upton Sinclair Jacob Riis

Progressive Legislation l State Reforms l Direct Primary l l An election where voters choose the candidates who will later run in a general election 17 th Amendment l U. S. Senators will now be elected by the people and NOT by state legislators, more democratic

Progressive Legislation Secret Ballot l Voters could not be pressured to vote for certain candidates. Hurt political machines l Initiative l Allows voters to introduce NEW legislation by gathering signatures on a petition l

Progressive Legislation Referendum l Allows voters to CHANGE a law already in place, also done with signatures l Recall l Allows voters to REMOVE an elected official from office by holding a new election l

Progressive Legislation l Fire Safety Standards l Passed as a result of Triangle Shirtwaist Fire l l l Started in overcrowded sweatshop Only 2 stairways to 10 story building, exit doors were locked 146 people died, many jumping to deaths

Progressive Legislation l Federal Reforms l 16 th Amendment - Established graduated income tax l 17 th Amendment - Direct election of Senators l 18 th Amendment - Prohibited Alcohol l 19 th Amendment - Gave women the right to vote l Interstate Commerce Act - 1887 law that regulated railroads and other interstate businesses l Meat Inspection Act - Required govt. inspection of meat shipped from one state to another l Pure Food and Drug Act l Outlawed sale of food or drugs that contained harmful ingredients l Required food to have ingredient labels

Reformers/Reform Movement l WEB Dubois l Co-founder of NAACP 1909 l 1 st African American to receive a Doctorate from Harvard l Fought and demanded for equal rights for African Americans l Encouraged Blacks to attend colleges to develop leadership skills

Reformers/Reform Movement l Booker T. Washington l African American leader in late 1800’s to his death in 1915 l Founded Tuskegee Institute in Alabama l Encouraged African Americans to learn trades Limits on Progressivism. African Americans video

Reformers/Reform Movement l Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) l Group that led fight against alcohol, wanted prohibition l Believed alcohol was responsible for unemployment, crime, and divorce l Carrie Nation was a radical temperance crusader. Smashed saloons with hatchet l Accomplished goal with passage of 18 th Amendment

Reformers/Reform Movement l Women’s Suffrage-Women’s Right to Vote l National Women’s Suffrage Association led by l Elizabeth Cady Stanton l Carrie Chapman Catt l Susan B. Anthony l Used a state by state approach l More popular in West l Women’s participation in WWI helped cause l 19 th Amendment was ratified in 1920

Anti-Suffrage Movement

Progressive Presidents-Roosevelt View-Roosevelt’s National Progressivism l Theodore Roosevelt l l Youngest President in history, 42 Other offices before President l Vice President, NY state legislature, Sec. of Navy, organized Roughriders, NY Governor Became President when Mc. Kinley was assassinated by anarchist in 1901 Became 1 st “Modern President”

Progressive Presidents-Roosevelt Saw Presidency as a “bully pulpit”-place to preach the ideas he believed l Reversed tradition of strong Congress, weak President l Believed strongly in Conservation (saving forest) l l l Wanted to save nation’s forests by preventing short sighted over cutting Started National Park Service

Accomplishments of Taft l William Howard Taft l Filed 90 anti-trust suits including Standard Oil and American Tobacco l 16 th Amendment l 17 th Amendment l Created Department of Labor to enforce labor laws l Passed mine safety laws l Established 8 hour workday for companies doing business w/ federal govt.

Progressive Presidents-Taft Passed Mann-Elkins Act that extended powers of ICC to telephone/telegraph l Established Federal Children’s Bureau l Did not agree with “bully pulpit” for prez l Taft throwing out first pitch at a baseball game. 1 st President to do this.

Progressive Presidents-Wilson l Woodrow Wilson l “New Freedom”campaign slogan l Underwood Tariffreduced tariffslowered prices for consumers l Federal Reserve Act l 3 Level banking system that controls the flow of money in the US by controlling interest rates

Accomplishments during Wilson’s Presidency l Clayton Anti-Trust Act l Broadened and strengthened the Sherman Act l Federal Trade Commission l Est. to investigate corporations so they are not fraudulent or corrupt l Workmen’s Compensation l provided benefits to workers hurt on the job l 18 th Amendment l 19 th Amendment Video Quiz

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