What is Liberalism What is Progressivism Are they

Ø What is Liberalism? Ø What is Progressivism? Ø Are they the same? Explain. Ø What are the advantages and disadvantages of government intervention in things such as the economy, healthcare, regulating business practices, etc?

The Progressives 1890 -1920

Who were the Progressives? Ø Progressives were citizens who recognized the need to solve problems resulting from rapid industrialization and urban growth.

Basic Characteristics/Beliefs of Progressives Ø They were moralists Ø Government once purified must act Ø Protect the weakest members of society Ø Never challenge capitalism’s basic tenets Ø Paternalistic

Progressive Goals: Ø End “white slavery” (prostitution and the sweat shops) Ø Prohibition Ø “Americanization” of immigrants. Ø Immigration restriction legislation. Ø Anti-trust legislation Ø Women’s Suffrage Ø Destruction of Political Machines Ø Full government ownership of utilities.

Reform Ideas Ø Eliminate Poverty: Poverty had always existed in American society, but in the 1870 s and 1880 s progressives began to call for legislation to help the poor. Examples: l Henry George: Impose a single tax to eliminate speculation. l Edward Bellamy: The government should reorganize companies with the goal of meeting human needs rather than making profits.

Reform Ideas con’t Ø The Labor Movement: Wanted a fundamental economic change. Focused on reducing work hours and gaining better wages and work conditions. Ø Municipal Reform: Wanted to reform city government. Wanted to create a civil service system based on merit instead of favors. Ø Socialists: Wanted to end capitalism and distribute wealth more equally, and nationalize American industries. http: //dictionary. reference. com/browse/socialism

How did reforms work for change? Ø Relied on scientific data and expert testimony. Ø They first investigated issues, next they publicized their findings, then readers could put pressure on their legislatures to pass and enforce new laws. Ø Muckrakers: Journalists who alerted the public to wrongdoings in politics and business. Ø Ø http: //www. teachersdomain. org/asset/vtl 07_vid_triangle/ http: //www. authentichistory. com/1898 -1913/05 -changing/4 -trianglefire/index. html

Reforms of the workplace Ø Events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire led to fire inspectors and accident insurance programs. Ø Business owners fought the reformers. l l Lochner v. New York (1905) http: //www. lectlaw. com/files/case 37. htm Ø Reformers fight back. l l l Muller v. Oregon (1908) http: //www. abanet. org/publiced/youth/sia/holtcases/muller. html http: //www. sunnylandsclassroom. org/Downloads/ACBooks/Pursuit%20 of%20 Justice/Chapte rs/60 -68_Ch. 7. pdf

Expand the role of government Ø Progressives felt the government must play a larger role in regulating economic activity in order to prevent businesses from treating workers and competitors unfairly. Ø Progressives opposed government control of business. Ø Social welfare programs would help to ensure a basic standard of living for all Americans.

Resistance to Progressive Reforms Ø Progressives wanted to protect citizens to do this they thought the government should have some say in housing, healthcare, and even the content of the movies people watched. Ø Some citizens did not want this help. Ø For example poor families did not like the new child labor laws because they needed their children to work in order to afford food.

Progressive Legislation Ø Urban Reform l l City control of utilities. City supported welfare services. (public baths, parks, work relief, etc. )

Progressive Legislation con’t Ø State Reforms l l l Direct Primaries. 17 th Amendment- popular election of U. S. Senators. Initiative- citizens can propose new laws by obtaining a certain percentage of voters’ signatures. l Referendum- citizens can demand via petition that a new law be “referred” to voters’ for approval l Recall- voters can remove a public official before the next election.

Progressive Legislation Ø Federal Reforms. l Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal led to regulation of the economy to ensure fair opportunities for Americans. th Amendment- income taxes to help pay for l 16 government services. Progressives argued this would allow the government to get its money from the incomes of the wealthy instead of from tariffs which they thought drove up the cost of goods thus hurting the poor. th Amendment- prohibition- protect l 18 American’s from the evils of alcohol.