The Progressive Era

Chapter 20

Teddy Roosevelt

Chapter 20.1

Query• What exactly is

Progressivism?

• Answer: Period of reform movements in American politics and industry at the beginning of the 20th century

• Why?

• Politicians and businessmen

Theodore Roosevelt as President• How did TR become

President?• Answer: McKinley

assassinated in Buffalo– Leon Czogolsz– Anarchist (against

government)• Irony – U.S. gets a strong,

inspired leader• Who was he as a person?• Goal = use “bully pulpit” of

office to do “good”

Jigsaw Activity

• 1. Four groups• 2. Each group –

discuss one topic• 3. Fill out

worksheet• 4. Rotate to next

group

Discussion• What actions did TR take

to ensure a “square deal?”• 1. Actively tried to break

up trusts• 2. Battled to help labor• 3. Strengthened

government regulatory agencies

• 4. Preferred environment over industry

Good Trust or Bad Trust?

GOOD TRUSTSbeat rivals thru:

Lower pricesBetter products

Greater efficiency

Engage in:Regulated activity

BAD TRUSTSBeat rivals thru:

Unfair pricingPlaying dirty

Engage in: Price gouging

Read…and Discuss

Middle-Class Reformers

Chapter 20.2

Discussion• Progressives

believed that the government should act like a guardian, not an umpire.• Support this

statement.

Review

•What four ways did TR act like a government guardian?

1. Actively tried to break up trusts

2. Battled to help labor

3. Strengthened government regulatory agencies

4. Preferred environment over industry

TR Inspires…• TR’s efforts = • 1. Re-election – in a

landslide• 2. Inspiration – to

others to act• Target = corrupt

politicians and big corporations…

• On local and state levels

Jigsaw Activity• 1. Groups of three• 2. Each member –

researches one topic• 3. Fill out

worksheet• 4. Group exchange

of information

Muckrakers!• What - Journalists, novelists,

activists who investigate– Upton Sinclair = meatpacking– Ida Tarbell = Standard Oil– Lincoln Steffens = city corruption

• Goal – expose corruption in government, business, labor

• Publish the results• Fast press + cheap paper = • BAD PUBLICITY + CHANGES

Resulting Laws• Meat Inspection Act –

federal government can inspect meat across state lines for health, sanitation

• Pure Food and Drug Act – sale of impure items is illegal, medicines must list contents

• Harrison Narcotic Act – sale of some drugs illegal without prescription

Discussion

•Are there modern day muckrakers today?

William H. Taft

Chapter 20.3

Taft in the White House (HW #1)• TR = no third term…• …and handpicks William Taft• 1. Describe Taft’s

background.• 2. What was Taft’s view on

reform?• DISAPPOINTMENT to

Progressives:• 1. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff• 2. Alaska land sales• What happened in each one?

The Insurgent Revolt (HW #2)• Accusation – Taft is an agent

of business• Decision – Progressive

“insurgents” will act• Who are they?• What Progressive actions did

they take?• 1. Joseph G. Cannon –

removed as House Rules Chairman

• 2. ICC – extends powers over telephone and telegraph (Mann-Elkins Act)

The Return of TR• TR returns from Africa– Annoyed with Taft– Praises insurgent actions

• Public speaking tour = more reforms necessary

• New Nationalism• 1. Strong govt. regulation of

large corporations• 2. Strong social programs• 3. Collectivism – focus on

group benefits over individual gain

Political Impact• Republican support is split• Democratic victories in

1910 elections (Wilson = NJ)

• Insurgents– urge TR to run for President again

• Republican Convention – loyalists to Taft win out

• Insurgents walk out, form new party…

• Bull Moose Party

Split Ticket Republicans Democrats

LaFollette

Taft

Roosevelt

Wilson

Election of 1912-Wilson v. Roosevelt (HW #3)• Taft = out (no public support)• Battle of ideas:• TR = New Nationalism– Strong, activist government– Strong social programs– Collectivism

• WW = New Freedom– Govt. oversight, let courts

decide– Individualism should prevail– Collectivism = danger to

growth

• Result = Wilson wins*

Election of 1912

Popular Vote - 1912

Woodrow Wilson

Chapter 20.4

Woodrow Wilson (HW #1) • Describe Woodrow

Wilson.• How did he differ from

TR?• Focus of Presidency =

reform• Three areas:• 1. Tariff Reform• 2. Banking Reform• 3. Regulating Business

Jigsaw Activity• 1. Groups of three• 2. Each member –

researches one topic• 3. Fill out

worksheet• 4. Group exchange

of information

Tariff Reform (HW #2) State of the Union address only topic discussed

Why are tariffs bad?* Oscar Underwood

Reduce Payne-Aldrich Senate disapproval

Senators exposed! Bill passes

Banking Reform (HW#3)Old system = too volatile, bank runs, panic

little banks bigger banks New York banks speculators

New system = Federal Reserve Banks, issue money when needed

Federal Reserve Bank

little banks bigger banks big city banks

Regulating Business

Sherman Antitrust Act = not enough

Clayton Antitrust Act Federal Trade Commission

Louis Brandeis

Progressive Foreign Policy

Chapter 20.5

Theodore Roosevelt• Irony– Limit power of big

business–Give power to

nation/self• Big Stick Diplomacy = • Negotiate peacefully…• …Simultaneously

threaten• Navy example

Challenge - Far East

Manchuria Open Door Policy

Russia Japan

China New Hampshire

Korea U.S. Pacific Colonies

Challenge - Panama Canal

U.S. interests Panama

Colombia France

Revolution U.S. involvement

Canal Zone William Gorgas

Yellow Fever $25 Million

Roosevelt Corollary• Review - Monroe Doctrine• Worry – region around CZ• Corollary – U.S. has right to

intervene in any Western nation that is politically or financially vulnerable to European control

• Dominican Republic• Cuba – under Taft• Haiti – under Wilson• Nicaragua – under Taft• Mexico – under Wilson

William H. Taft• Diplomacy = U.S. ability

to make (and protect) money

• Dollar Diplomacy:• 1. Convince Americans to

invest in business in Latin America

• 2. Protect investors’ interests…

• 3. …By invading • Nicaragua example

Woodrow Wilson• Think-Pair-Share• 1. How did the Roosevelt

Corollary affect U.S. involvement in Mexico?

• Answer: Tampico, Veracruz, and Pancho Villa incidents

• 2. What prevented a war from occurring between the U.S. and Mexico?

• Answer: Conflict in Europe causes Wilson to withdraw troops