1. The Progressive Era

2. The Origins of Progressivism
Problems with industrialization (unemployment, unsafe working conditions, child labor, political corruption, etc.)
Many argued that government had to become more involved
Reformer individuals wanted many social welfare programs
Many reformers (aka muckrakers) would investigate issues of concern and publicize results to put pressure on legislators at the local, state, and national levels

3. Four Goals of Progressivism
Protecting Social Welfare (Social Gospel Movement and Settlement House Movement)
Promoting Moral Improvement and Political Reform (Prohibition and Voting Reform)
Creating Economic Reform (American Socialist Party organized in 1901; anti-big business policies)
Fostering Efficiency (in society and in the workplace; led to shorter worker days and better management)

4. Local Reform Examples
Change corrupt city politics (“Political Machine” corruption)
Natural Disaster Relief
Reform Mayors encouraged involvement of everyone and enacted many socialist ideas

5. State Reform Examples
Regulation (of the RRs, mines, mills, telephone co.s, and other large businesses)
Reform Governors (Robert M. La Follette of WI)
Attacking Child Labor
State Labor Departments and Laws (lower hours, workers’ compensation, benefits)
Reforming Elections
Initiative (a bill originated by the people)
Referendum (a vote on the initiative)
Recall (voters can remove public officials from elected positions through requesting another vote before the end of their term)
Direct Election of Senators (17th amendment )

6. National Reforms Examples Under the Progressive Presidents
Theodore Roosevelt – Republican/Progressive Party ( )
William Howard Taft – Republican ( )
Woodrow Wilson –Democrat ( )

7. Theodore Roosevelt Background & personality Square Deal Health
Trust busting
Arbitration
RR regulation
Health
1906 Meat Inspection Act
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act
Environment
Conservation
John Muir (Preservationist) v. Gifford Pinchot (Conservationist)
1916 National Park Service
Civil Rights
Not a champion for civil rights
1909 NAACP formed

8. William Howard Taft Background & personality
Taft v. Roosevelt in style
Progressives turn against Taft and the Rep. Party Splits
The election of 1912
Wilson’s (D) New Freedom
Taft’s (R) Conservatism
Roosevelt’s Progressivism
Eugene V. Debs’s Socialism

9. Woodrow Wilson Background & personality Financial Reform
Clayton Antitrust Act 1914
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Underwood Act 1913 to Lower Tariff’s (cost of foreign goods)
Federal Income Tax
Federal Reserve System
Suffrage for Women with the 19th Amendment in 1920
Wilson’s Record on Civil Rights

10. Women in Public Life Victorian Era Expectations
Private v. Public Sphere
Before 1900’s, women were viewed in society as
Weak and fragile
Emotionally and mentally unstable
Motherly Saints
Their place was in the home
Sexually Pure
Incapable of making their own decisions

11. Women in Public Life Cont.
Demands of Women During the Progressive Era…
Career Choices
The Vote (aka suffrage)
Equal Pay for equal work
Control of property and income
Equal access to education
An end to domestic violence

12. Limits of Progressivism
Limited reforms for African American and other minority groups
Most changes were observed in urban areas
WWI and rising international concerns thwarted the continuation of progressive reforms on a mass national scale.
Many unresolved progressive issues were, however, addressed after the Great Depression of the 1930’s under FDR’s New Deal