Roosevelt DID THEODORE ROOSEVELT FURTHER THE GOALS OF PROGRESSIVISM?

Industrialization  Industrialization had reshaped America  Big business  Immigration  Urbanization  Progressives accepted these changes, but wanted to mitigate the negative effects of capitalism.  They transformed American attitudes toward government, namely as an important force for mediating among diverse groups.

Politics  Break the power of political machines  Foster democratic participation  Initiatives—popular initiation of legislation  Referendum—popular vote on legislation  Women’s suffrage

Economics Worker  Ameliorating the effects of industrialization  Settlement houses: day nurseries, kindergartens, health programs, employment services, and recreation  Living Conditions  Government accountability for sanitation  1901 Tenement House Act  Working conditions  Minimum wage, child labor, limitation on working hours Entrepreneur  Limit corporate power  1890 Sherman Anti-trust Act  Regulatory organizations  Interstate Commerce Commission  Federal Reserve system  Federal Trade Commission

Theodore Roosevelt Government should be ‘the steward of the public welfare’

Champion of Progressivism  Initially elected by the Republican party for vice-presidency as a way to move him into political insignificance, Roosevelt becomes president with William McKinley's assassination.  He used his position as president to publicize and gather support for his policies—”bully pulpit”

Square Deal  Concentrated power in the hands of a few industrialists was a threat to fair markets and democracy.  42 anti-trust cases during his presidency  Big business was inevitable, but regulation would level the playing field and provide a ‘square deal’ to citizens.  1903 Elkins Act, prohibited railroads from accepting rebates  1906 Hepburn Act, strengthened the ICC to regulate railroads

Workers Rights  Coal miners in Pennsylvania strike in  Roosevelt urged the owners to accept arbitration to settle the dispute, but they refused. When Roosevelt threatens to take over the mines, the owners relent  Workers get a shorter workday and higher pay

Protecting Consumers  Dangerous foods and drugs were sold to the public  Food using dangerous chemicals  Drugs that did not work or narcotics in various medicines  1906 Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle created the awareness for action  Pure Food and Drug Act  Meat Inspection Act

Conservation  Lumber companies cleared forests, farmers plowed up the Great Plains, ranchers overgrazed the prairies, mining companies clogged rivers, cities dumped sewage  Duty to protect and conserve natural resources for future generations  1902 The Newlands Reclamation Act for water use