The Populist/Progressive The Populist/Progressive EraEra

1880 - 19181880 - 1918

A New AmericaA New America

Context for ChangeContext for Change Urbanization, industrialization and immigration were Urbanization, industrialization and immigration were

reshaping American society after Reconstructionreshaping American society after Reconstruction In spite of these changes, many Americans distrusted calls In spite of these changes, many Americans distrusted calls

for “drastic” changes as they were often lumped together for “drastic” changes as they were often lumped together with calls for racial, gender, and social equalitywith calls for racial, gender, and social equality

Americans who were content to accept 19Americans who were content to accept 19thth century society, century society, found themselves under siege found themselves under siege

Eventually, most people were forced to acknowledge that Eventually, most people were forced to acknowledge that the “new” America required changethe “new” America required change

Who were the Populists?Who were the Populists?

Origins of PopulismOrigins of Populism Roots of Populism can be traced to the Granger movement Roots of Populism can be traced to the Granger movement

of the 1870sof the 1870s Farmers hurt by declining crop prices and the devaluation of Farmers hurt by declining crop prices and the devaluation of

currency.currency. Farmers hurt by protective tariffs in manufacturing and natural Farmers hurt by protective tariffs in manufacturing and natural

monopolies of railroadsmonopolies of railroads Generally, the Populists had a broader agenda and a more Generally, the Populists had a broader agenda and a more

insistent manner of advancing itinsistent manner of advancing it Populists were a political party that had tremendous Populists were a political party that had tremendous

success in the west (Kansas)success in the west (Kansas) Populists were generally rural AmericansPopulists were generally rural Americans

Who were the Populists?Who were the Populists?

Populists’ ideasPopulists’ ideas Women’s suffrageWomen’s suffrage Direct election of SenatorsDirect election of Senators Constitutional amendment authorizing a federal Constitutional amendment authorizing a federal

income taxincome tax Campaigns against monopolies and trustsCampaigns against monopolies and trusts Alerting the American people to abuses of an Alerting the American people to abuses of an

unregulated economyunregulated economy The successes of the Progressives would have been The successes of the Progressives would have been

impossible without the Populistsimpossible without the Populists

Who were the Populists?Who were the Populists? Election of 1896Election of 1896

Candidates:Candidates: William McKinley: William McKinley:

RepublicanRepublican Fiscal conservativeFiscal conservative Gold standardGold standard

William Jennings Bryan:William Jennings Bryan: Democrat/PopulistDemocrat/Populist Fiscally liberalFiscally liberal Pro-SilverPro-Silver

Issues:Issues: Bi-MetallismBi-Metallism Class strugglesClass struggles Party loyalties were split by Party loyalties were split by

the currency issuethe currency issue

Origins of ProgressivismOrigins of Progressivism

Attitudes and MotivesAttitudes and Motives Who were the Progressives?Who were the Progressives?

Unlike Populists, Progressives were generally from the Unlike Populists, Progressives were generally from the urban middle-classurban middle-class

Progressives could be from either of the two major Progressives could be from either of the two major political partiespolitical parties

What was the Progressive philosophy?What was the Progressive philosophy? Generally shared commitment to democratic values and Generally shared commitment to democratic values and

belief that honest government could improve the human belief that honest government could improve the human conditioncondition

Origins of ProgressivismOrigins of Progressivism

The MuckrakersThe Muckrakers OriginsOrigins

Name attributed to Theodore RooseveltName attributed to Theodore Roosevelt Writers specializing in stories that uncovered the “dirty Writers specializing in stories that uncovered the “dirty

realities” of politics were referred to as muckrakersrealities” of politics were referred to as muckrakers MagazinesMagazines

McClure’s Magazine, Collier’s and CosmopolitanMcClure’s Magazine, Collier’s and Cosmopolitan competed fiercely by running a series of muckraking competed fiercely by running a series of muckraking articlesarticles

They combined careful research with sensationalism They combined careful research with sensationalism which became the standard for muckraking articleswhich became the standard for muckraking articles

Origins of ProgressivismOrigins of Progressivism The MuckrakersThe Muckrakers

BooksBooks The most popular muckraking series were collected and sold as The most popular muckraking series were collected and sold as

best-selling booksbest-selling books How the Other Half Lives How the Other Half Lives (1890) – Jacob Riis(1890) – Jacob Riis The Shame of the Cities The Shame of the Cities (1904) – Lincoln Steffens(1904) – Lincoln Steffens

The Jungle (1906) – Upton SinclairThe Jungle (1906) – Upton Sinclair

Another Famous MuckrakerAnother Famous Muckraker Ida Tarbell – exposed the shady practices of Standard Oil Co.Ida Tarbell – exposed the shady practices of Standard Oil Co.

Muckraking had a lasting effect on the Progressive eraMuckraking had a lasting effect on the Progressive era Exposed inequities, educated the public and prepared the way for Exposed inequities, educated the public and prepared the way for

corrective actioncorrective action

Political Reforms in Cities and Political Reforms in Cities and StatesStates

Voter participationVoter participation Australian ballot – the secret ballotAustralian ballot – the secret ballot

Ensures privacy of the voteEnsures privacy of the vote Adopted by all states by 1910Adopted by all states by 1910

Direct primariesDirect primaries An intra-party election to choose a candidate An intra-party election to choose a candidate Allowed the people to choose candidates for office rather than Allowed the people to choose candidates for office rather than

party bossesparty bosses Direct election of senatorsDirect election of senators

Senators usually chosen by state legislaturesSenators usually chosen by state legislatures Senate had become a “millionaire’s club” dominated by big Senate had become a “millionaire’s club” dominated by big

businessbusiness

Political Reforms in Cities and Political Reforms in Cities and StatesStates

Initiative, referendum and recallInitiative, referendum and recall All tools used to give the people more voice in governmentAll tools used to give the people more voice in government Initiative –voters could compel the legislature to consider a billInitiative –voters could compel the legislature to consider a bill Referendum - voters could vote on proposed laws printed on their Referendum - voters could vote on proposed laws printed on their

ballotsballots Recall – enabled voters to remove a corrupt or unsatisfactory Recall – enabled voters to remove a corrupt or unsatisfactory

politician from officepolitician from office

Social WelfareSocial Welfare Social justice programs were started to help improve life Social justice programs were started to help improve life

particularly in the citiesparticularly in the cities Jane Addams – Hull HouseJane Addams – Hull House

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square DealTheodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal Trust-bustingTrust-busting

Roosevelt becomes first president to actively enforce Sherman Roosevelt becomes first president to actively enforce Sherman Anti-trust ActAnti-trust Act

Bad trusts vs. good trustsBad trusts vs. good trusts Bad trusts harmed the public and stifled competitionBad trusts harmed the public and stifled competition Good trusts dominated a market through efficiency and low pricesGood trusts dominated a market through efficiency and low prices

Railroad regulationRailroad regulation Roosevelt persuaded Congress to pass two laws to strengthen the Roosevelt persuaded Congress to pass two laws to strengthen the

ICCICC Elkins Act (1903) – gave greater authority to stop railroads from Elkins Act (1903) – gave greater authority to stop railroads from

giving rebates to favored customersgiving rebates to favored customers Hepburn Act (1906) – Gave ICC power to fix “just and reasonable” Hepburn Act (1906) – Gave ICC power to fix “just and reasonable”

rates for railroadsrates for railroads

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation Theodore Roosevelt’s Square DealTheodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal

Consumer protectionConsumer protection Public outcry arose following publication of Public outcry arose following publication of The JungleThe Jungle by Upton by Upton

SinclairSinclair Congress passes two regulatory lawsCongress passes two regulatory laws

Pure Food and Drug ActPure Food and Drug Act- forbade manufacture, sale and - forbade manufacture, sale and transportation of mislabeled food and drugstransportation of mislabeled food and drugs

Meat Inspection Act – Meat Inspection Act – required that federal inspectors visit required that federal inspectors visit meatpacking plants to ensure they met minimum standards of meatpacking plants to ensure they met minimum standards of sanitationsanitation

ConservationConservation Roosevelt’s life had made him an ardent champion of wilderness Roosevelt’s life had made him an ardent champion of wilderness

and outdoor lifeand outdoor life Most original and lasting contribution to domestic policy may have Most original and lasting contribution to domestic policy may have

been his efforts to protect the nation’s natural resourcesbeen his efforts to protect the nation’s natural resources

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation Taft’s PresidencyTaft’s Presidency

More trust-busting and conservationMore trust-busting and conservation Taft continues Roosevelt’s Progressive policiesTaft continues Roosevelt’s Progressive policies

Taft orders the prosecution of twice as many antitrust cases as Taft orders the prosecution of twice as many antitrust cases as RooseveltRoosevelt

Established Bureau of Mines and included large tracts of Established Bureau of Mines and included large tracts of Appalachian Mountains in national forest systemsAppalachian Mountains in national forest systems

Taft supports two other important pieces of Progressive Taft supports two other important pieces of Progressive legislationlegislation

Mann-Elkins Act Mann-Elkins Act (1910) – authorizes ICC suspend new (1910) – authorizes ICC suspend new railroad rates and oversee telephone, telegraph and cable railroad rates and oversee telephone, telegraph and cable companiescompanies

Sixteenth Amendment – authorized the U.S. government to Sixteenth Amendment – authorized the U.S. government to collect an income taxcollect an income tax

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation

Split in the Republican partySplit in the Republican party Progressives in the Republican party felt that Taft Progressives in the Republican party felt that Taft

hadn’t gone far enoughhadn’t gone far enough Party became split between Conservative faction Party became split between Conservative faction

loyal to Taft and Progressive factionloyal to Taft and Progressive faction

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation Rise of the Socialist PartyRise of the Socialist Party

Socialist Party of America advocated more radical reforms Socialist Party of America advocated more radical reforms than the Progressives favoredthan the Progressives favored

Eugene V. Debs Eugene V. Debs One of the party founders was a 5 time presidential candidateOne of the party founders was a 5 time presidential candidate An outspoken critic of business and a champion of laborAn outspoken critic of business and a champion of labor

InfluenceInfluence Progressives generally wanted to distance themselves from the Progressives generally wanted to distance themselves from the

Socialists who were seen as too radicalSocialists who were seen as too radical Some Socialist ideas were eventually adoptedSome Socialist ideas were eventually adopted

Public ownership of utilitiesPublic ownership of utilities The 8 – hour workdayThe 8 – hour workday Pension for employeesPension for employees

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation The Election of 1912The Election of 1912

CandidatesCandidates Republican renominated William Howard TaftRepublican renominated William Howard Taft Disaffected Progressives abandoned Republican party Disaffected Progressives abandoned Republican party

and nominated Theodore Roosevelt (Bull Moose)and nominated Theodore Roosevelt (Bull Moose) Socialist Party candidate was Eugene V. DebsSocialist Party candidate was Eugene V. Debs Democrats nominate governor of New Jersey Woodrow Democrats nominate governor of New Jersey Woodrow

WilsonWilson CampaignCampaign

The Election of 1912The Election of 1912 Taft was very unpopular and Debs considered too radicalTaft was very unpopular and Debs considered too radical Race came down to Roosevelt and WilsonRace came down to Roosevelt and Wilson

Roosevelt called for a New Nationalism – more government Roosevelt called for a New Nationalism – more government regulation of business and unions, women’s suffrage and more regulation of business and unions, women’s suffrage and more social welfare programssocial welfare programs

Wilson pledged a New Freedom which would limit both big Wilson pledged a New Freedom which would limit both big business an big government, reform to end corruption and revive business an big government, reform to end corruption and revive competition by supporting small businesscompetition by supporting small business

ResultsResults With Republican split, Wilson easily wins electionWith Republican split, Wilson easily wins election Democrats regained control of CongressDemocrats regained control of Congress Progressive party will not last but ideas become instrumental in the Progressive party will not last but ideas become instrumental in the

futurefuture

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation

Woodrow Wilson’s Progressive ProgramWoodrow Wilson’s Progressive Program Tariff reductionTariff reduction

Within first days of Presidency, Wilson called a special session of Within first days of Presidency, Wilson called a special session of Congress to lower tariffsCongress to lower tariffs

Passage of the Passage of the Underwood Tariff Act Underwood Tariff Act (1913) substantially lowered (1913) substantially lowered tariffs for the first time in 50 years; however also included a tariffs for the first time in 50 years; however also included a graduated income tax (of 1 – 6 %) to offset reduced tariff revenuesgraduated income tax (of 1 – 6 %) to offset reduced tariff revenues

Banking reformBanking reform Wilson was convinced that gold standard was too inflexibleWilson was convinced that gold standard was too inflexible Went to Congress to propose a Federal Reserve Banking systemWent to Congress to propose a Federal Reserve Banking system Congress passed Congress passed Federal Reserve Act Federal Reserve Act (1914)(1914)

Political Reform in the NationPolitical Reform in the Nation Woodrow Wilson’s Progressive ProgramWoodrow Wilson’s Progressive Program

Business regulationBusiness regulation Clayton Antitrust Act Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened provisions of Sherman Antitrust Act Strengthened provisions of Sherman Antitrust Act Contained a clause exempting labor union from being considered Contained a clause exempting labor union from being considered

truststrusts Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade Commission

Created a regulatory agency empowered to investigate and take action Created a regulatory agency empowered to investigate and take action against any “unfair trade practice” in every industry except banking against any “unfair trade practice” in every industry except banking and transportationand transportation

Other reformsOther reforms Federal Farm Loan Act – created 12 federal farm loan banks to Federal Farm Loan Act – created 12 federal farm loan banks to

provide loans at low interestprovide loans at low interest Child Labor Act – prohibited the shipment in interstate commerce of Child Labor Act – prohibited the shipment in interstate commerce of

goods manufactured using labor by children under 14 years of agegoods manufactured using labor by children under 14 years of age Supreme Court did find this law unconstitutional in 1918 Supreme Court did find this law unconstitutional in 1918

Hammer v. DagenhartHammer v. Dagenhart

Black Americans in the Progressive Black Americans in the Progressive EraEra

The Impact of The Impact of Plessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson Leaders ignored plight of black Americans during the Leaders ignored plight of black Americans during the

Progressive eraProgressive era Status of black American had been steadily declining since Status of black American had been steadily declining since

the end of Reconstructionthe end of Reconstruction Plessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson (1896) – Court declares that “separate (1896) – Court declares that “separate

but equal” was okaybut equal” was okay Progressive era coincides with thousands of lynchingProgressive era coincides with thousands of lynching Progressives failed to take action for two reasonsProgressives failed to take action for two reasons

They shared general prejudices of the timesThey shared general prejudices of the times They considered other reforms more important because they They considered other reforms more important because they

benefited all of society not just one groupbenefited all of society not just one group

Black Americans in the Progressive Black Americans in the Progressive EraEra

Two approaches to how best to attain black rightsTwo approaches to how best to attain black rights Booker T. Washington Booker T. Washington

Stated that black Americans needed to improve their educational and Stated that black Americans needed to improve their educational and economic standing before achieving political and social equalityeconomic standing before achieving political and social equality

W.E.B. Du BoisW.E.B. Du Bois Argued that political and social rights were a prerequisite for economic Argued that political and social rights were a prerequisite for economic

independenceindependence Urban MigrationUrban Migration

At the end of the 19At the end of the 19thth century, 9 out of 10 black Americans lived in the century, 9 out of 10 black Americans lived in the SouthSouth

A huge migration to the North took place between 1910 and 1930A huge migration to the North took place between 1910 and 1930 Reasons for the changeReasons for the change

Deteriorating race relations in the South Deteriorating race relations in the South Lynchings on the rise: Ida B. Wells prominently campaigned against lynchningsLynchings on the rise: Ida B. Wells prominently campaigned against lynchnings

Destruction of cotton crops by boll weevilsDestruction of cotton crops by boll weevils Greater job opportunities created by WWIGreater job opportunities created by WWI

Black Americans in the Progressive Black Americans in the Progressive EraEra

Civil Rights organizationsCivil Rights organizations Increased racial discrimination caused a Increased racial discrimination caused a

proliferation of civil rights organization to be proliferation of civil rights organization to be founded in the early 20founded in the early 20thth century century

1905 – Niagara Movement founded by DuBois and a 1905 – Niagara Movement founded by DuBois and a group of black intellectualsgroup of black intellectuals

1908 – NAACP founded by DuBois – 100,000 members 1908 – NAACP founded by DuBois – 100,000 members by 1920by 1920

1911 National Urban League founded to help blacks 1911 National Urban League founded to help blacks migrating to northern citiesmigrating to northern cities

Women, Suffrage, and the Women, Suffrage, and the Progressive MovementProgressive Movement

The campaign for women’s suffrageThe campaign for women’s suffrage Although many younger Progressive men were generally more liberal Although many younger Progressive men were generally more liberal

towards the women’s suffrage movement the “old guard” generally towards the women’s suffrage movement the “old guard” generally was not.was not.

President Wilson refused to support the suffragists’ call for national President Wilson refused to support the suffragists’ call for national amendment until late in his termamendment until late in his term

Carrie Chapman Catt – leader of NAWSA called for a women’s right Carrie Chapman Catt – leader of NAWSA called for a women’s right to vote; at first worked at state level, later changed to national levelto vote; at first worked at state level, later changed to national level

Militant suffragistsMilitant suffragists Approach using mass pickets, parades and hunger strikes to achieve the Approach using mass pickets, parades and hunger strikes to achieve the

votevote Led by Alice Paul they broke away from NAWSA to sin support of Led by Alice Paul they broke away from NAWSA to sin support of

Congress and presidentCongress and president Nineteenth Amendment (1920) – Nineteenth Amendment (1920) –

Effort of women on the home front during WWI finally convinced Effort of women on the home front during WWI finally convinced Congress and President Wilson to adopt a women’s suffrage amendmentCongress and President Wilson to adopt a women’s suffrage amendment

Catt organized the League of Women Voters to help women register to Catt organized the League of Women Voters to help women register to vote and keep the informed vote and keep the informed