4. 6 The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era A movement in the early 1900s to solve the problems that have been created by industrialization. This was a reform movement led by women, writers and some politicians. These “ evils” are: 1. child labor6. racism 2. lousy working conditions7. crowded,dirty cities 3. women still cannot vote8. Harsh treatment of immigrants 4. Political Corruption9. unsanitary food production 5. monopolies10. Anti-Labor activities

Muckrakers Writers and journalist who wrote books, newspaper articles and magazine articles exposing social and political evils. Most famous was Upton Sinclair, who wrote the book “The Jungle”. He exposed the horrible and unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry. TR read the book and launched an investigation.

Women’s Movement National Association of Colored Women- Worked to secure the rights of African-Americans. Also worked to gain women’s suffrage. Carrie Chapman Catt-Founded the American Women’s Suffrage Association. Alice Paul- National Women’s Party- Engaged in marches and picketed the White House. Many were arrested and when they went on a hunger strike, were force-fed. Success??? 19 th Amendment to the Constitution. Women voted in 1920.

Theodore Roosevelt Became President in 1901 when William McKinley was assassinated. Youngest ever to become President at 42. First Progressive President “ Bully Pulpit” Means he used the power of the Presidency to initiate reforms. Known as the “Trust Buster” because he used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to attack monopolies. He went after Standard oil. Who is that?

Progressive Actions under TR Pure Food and Drug Act- Regulated drugs sold to the public and began government regulation of foods sold to consumers. Today it’s the Food and Drug Administration. (FDA) Meat Inspection Act- Began federal inspections of meats. “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair helped get TR to become active in safe foods and drugs. Conservation- TR established several national parks including Yellowstone and Yosemite. He probably saved the remaining buffalo by protecting them from hunting in Yellowstone.

Taft the Progressive Nothing much to say.

Woodrow Wilson Clayton Anti-Trust Act- Strengthened the Sherman Anti Trust Act. The monopolies found loopholes and the Clayton helped to close the loopholes 1 st Child Labor Laws passes Federal Reserve Act- Created our modern banking system.

Direction Election of Senators 17 th Amendment- This allowed for the direct election of senators. Before this the two Senators were chosen by the state legislature. It was usually crooked. Now the people elect the Senators.

Income Taxes 16 th Amendment- Gave Congress the power to enforce an income tax. This was to tax the really rich people like Carnegie and Rockefeller

Federal Reserve System This created a National Banking System. The purpose was to take power away from powerful bankers like J.P.Morgan