1. Progressivism: Redefining the role between Government and The People

2. Origins of the Progressive Movement Progressivism began in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It can be described as a “response” to what some individuals and groups felt were great injustices created by INDUSTRIALIZATION It was not a SINGLE movement. The Progressive Movement was as varied as the people and groups who were seeking CHANGE in American society. The movement starts out in the hands of PRIVATE groups and individuals and eventually will transfer itself to the work of local, state, and the national government

3. Who’s involved? PRIVATE groups and individuals who saw a need for change in American society in the late 1800’s. They include: Middle class reform movements (YMCA, Salvation Army)—trying to alleviate the horrible living conditions many working poor faced Journalists and writers (Muckrakers) who were exposing the unsafe and exploitive working conditions throughout the nation “Intellectuals”—writers and college professors who questioned the power of large corporations in our society and government Political Reformers who aimed to make local, state, and national government more RESPONSIVE to the needs of citizens—not corporations.

4. Their “GOALS” Taken together, historians refer to them and this period as the PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT. Despite being such an eclectic group, each of their efforts shared similar GOALS: 1.Eliminate social injustices 2. Return power of government into the hands of the citizens 3.Guarantee economic opportunity to citizens by GOVERNMENT regulation of business and industry.

5. Accomplishing these GOALS In an attempt to eliminate SOCIAL INJUSTICES, many Progressive groups took to the streets of our major cities. Groups like the YMCA and the Salvation Army worked relentlessly in our major urban areas to bring immediate relief to the often suffering working class poor and immigrants groups. These groups set up libraries, recreation centers, and soup kitchens. They also held classes to instruct the poor in middle class values of hard work and temperance. They also worked politically to end unfair labor practice and end child labor. Specifically due the efforts of groups such as this, Illinois passed the Illinois Factory Act of 1893 which banned child labor and limited women’s working hours. (Florence Kelley) It would soon become a model law for other states

6. A Government BY THE PEOPLE In an effort to make all levels of government more responsive to the needs of citizens, you see progressive groups push for and win several important democratic “tools”: -The REFERENDUM: A procedure that allows citizens to vote directly on laws proposed by local or state governments -The INITIATIVE: A process that allows citizens to both propose and vote of laws on local or state levels -The RECALL VOTE: A process that allowed citizens to remove an elected official before their term of office is over. NOT every state allows for all three “tools”—but some states do!

7. The 17 th Amendment Nationally, the Progressives made the largest political reform by lobbying for the passage of the 17 th Amendment. This Amendment, which now allowed for the DIRECT election of US Senators was ratified in 1913. Progressives argued that the whole concept of non-direct election was undemocratic and had lead to deep corruption in our national government’s upper chamber

8. Other Political Reforms Progressives also focused on making the ELECTION process more democratic and less corruptive. Since STATES are constitutionally empowered to run elections, the Progressives worked state by state to introduce two important reforms that we still see today: 1. Secret Ballots: Before this reform, voters were often intimidated and controlled by the parties to vote the way the “party” wanted. Jobs, housing, or even violence at the polls was at stake!

9. Other Political Reforms 2. Primary Elections: voters in each political party would be allowed to VOTE to decide who their candidate would be in the general election. This brought the power of the party leaders to choose who the candidates would be election after election.

10. The last goal that Progressives sought to achieve concerned reforming our economy. In the minds of many Progressives, unrestricted lassie faire capitalism had created an unjust and exploitive economic system in the U.S. For Progressives, a handful of ultra- powerful, ultra wealthy controlled the majority of wealth and property in the US, while millions suffered!

11. Newly elected Progressive Congressmen were able to pass legislation that would change the nature of business in the US. It would usher in a new era of government regulation and oversight that would extend into many areas of business and industry that used to be protected from government “interference”: --The SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT was passed by Congress in 1890. It tried to prevent the creation of any business structure that would “restrain trade” Because of some vague wording, it was not very effective—BUT—it was an important start.

12. Decades later, Congress would pass the Clayton Anti-Trust Act. This law outlawed “price-fixing” and wrote in more specific language on the nature of trusts and monopolies. It also protected the rights of workers to form labor unions. It is still the foundation of the anti-monopoly and anti-trust legislation we use today.

13. Progressive Presidents???? The Progressive Movement had gained so much political influence during the early 20 th century that it had a direct impact on presidential politics as well. Two presidents will go down in history as promoting Progressive domestic agendas: Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)-Roosevelt’s domestic agenda is referred to as the SQUARE DEAL. The “deal” was a series of progressive reforms aimed to modernize the US. They included: Using the Sherman and Clayton Anti-Trust Act to “dissolve” various “trusts” he felt harmful to the “public trust”—done thru the federal court system. Passing of the INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT, to regulate the nation’s railroad systems—ending that monopoly. Pushing for and enforcing the MEAT INSPECTION ACT and PURE FOOD AND DRUG ACT—both used to clean up and regulate our nation’s food and drug supply—protecting the consumers. Establishing the US FOREST BUREAU—using federal funds to set aside millions of acres of lands for public use—NATIONAL PARKS

14. Progressive Presidents???? Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)- Wilson’s progressive program was known as the NEW FREEDOM program. The plan was to attack what he called the “triple wall of privilege” in the US: Trusts, Tariffs, and High Finance. To accomplish this, Wilson first fought for and won the passage of the CLAYTON ANTI-TRUST ACT (1914). Also in 1914, he helped create the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. This “watch dog” agency was given to power to monitor big business and industry and prevent unfair trade practices.

15. Progressive Presidents???? One of Wilson’s most lasting “legacies” can be seen with the ratification of the 16 th Amendment. This amendment, ratified in 1913, legalized the federal government’s power to established an INCOME TAX on individuals. It has lead, of course, to our current GRADUATED income tax system and the establishment of the IRS.! Wilson’s also pushed for a reform of our nation’s financial sector. In 1913, Congress passed the FEDERAL RESERVE ACT, which was established to regulate the nation’s banking system to make it more equitable and fair. The FEDERAL RESERVE also was given the power to control our nation’s money supply.

16. The end of Wilson’s presidency was also marked by the passage of the 18 th and 19 th Amendments. The 18 th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the US was seen as a Progressive attempt to end the scourge of alcoholism that gripped the US. The 19th amendment, which we already know, guaranteed the right all of the nation’s citizens to vote regardless of gender. These two amendments were a fitting finale to Wilson’s final year as one of the most Progressive presidents of all. They would also mark the END of the Progressive Era..the “Roaring 20’s” would soon eclipse the need for reform