Progressivism

What is it?

Progressivism- reaction to big business and societal problems Causes

Unfair treatment of labor Working conditions Treatment of farmers Monopolies and big business Corrupt governments- state and local Unequal treatment of minorities and immigrants

Muckrakers: Who are they?

Ida Tarbell- investigated Standard OilCharles Russell- investigated Beef industryLincoln Steffens- investigated political

machinesJacob Riis- investigated city living

conditions (How the Other Half Lives)Upton Sinclair- meat industry of Chicago

(The Jungle)

Jacob Riis Ida Tarbell

Upton Sinclair

Lincoln Steffens

Robert LaFollet: Reform Governor of Wisconsin

Direct Primary- direct primary electionsInitiatives- citizens propose a new law and

put on ballotReferendums- citizens reject or approve a

new lawRecalls- citizens can remove a public

official17th Amendment- direct election of US

Senators

Robert LaFollet

Other Changes

Suffrage Movement Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lead to 19th amendment- women’s suffrage

Social Welfare and Education States pass minimum working age, maximum hours and compulsory

school attendance lawsHealth and Safety

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire- NYC (100’s of women killed) leads to safety and fire codes in factories

Workers compensation- pay workers when injured Zoning laws- restrict residential and industrial areas

Prohibition Ban sale and consumption of alcohol Lead to the 18th amendment- ban sale and consumption of alcohol

Progressive Presidents

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1907

William Howard Taft 1908-1911

Woodrow Wilson 1912-1919

Theodore Roosevelt

Woodrow Wilson

William Taft

Theodore Roosevelt

Trustbusting Use Sherman Anti-trust Act to break up trusts Federal government serve as leaders in arbitration

(3rd party) Ex. Govt. sue Northern Securities Company

Railroad Legislation Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 Elkins Act of 1903- made if illegal for railroad

officials to give rebates for using specific railroads Hepburn Act of 1906- limit distribution of free

railroad passes (form of bribery

More Roosevelt

Health and Environment Meat Inspection Act- cleanliness

requirements in meatpacking factories and federal meat inspection

Pure Food and Drug Act- halt sale of contaminated food and medicines and call for truth in labeling

Conservation- natural resources and parks Newlands Reclamation Act- use

funds from sale of federal land to pay for land development

Conserve 100 million acres- Yellowstone National Park

"It is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals -- not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening."

William Taft

Elected in 1908- chosen by Roosevelt Controversy

Payne-Aldrich Tariff- Cut tariffs a little, anger Progressives and make them think Taft is abandoning them

Ballinger-Pinchot- Taft replaces Sec. of Interior with Ballinger and limit and reduce conservation

Reforms Children’s Bureau Mann-Elkins Act- increase power of

Interstate Commerce Commission

Firsts Under Taft•First president to own a car•First to throw out the first pitch to begin baseball season•Arizona became a state, now had 48 states in US•First and only president to get stuck in his bathtub; had to get a bigger one installed

Woodrow Wilson

Wilson elected in 1912 due to split in Republican Party Teddy Roosevelt unhappy with Taft and will run again under

Bull Moose Party- split Republican vote and allow Wilson to win

Economic Reforms Federal Reserve Act- banks only keep portion of money,

rest kept in regional federal banks (most important piece of legislation in American history)

Clayton Anti-Trust Act- stricter controls on Trusts Underwood Tariff- decrease tariff by half Federal Trade Commission (FTC)- monitor American

business for unfair practices

Federal Reserve System

Advantages Money in federal bank is insured FED regulates banks to make sure they are making sound

decisions FED creates a stable

currency

More Wilson

Social Reforms Keating-Owen Child Labor Act- prohibit hiring of

children under 14 (eventually ruled unconstitutional) Adamson Act- 8 hour workday for RR workers Federal Farm Loan Act- long-terms loans at

decreased rates