Taking up the issues First raised by Populism RISE OF PROGRESSIVISM Taking up the issues First raised by Populism

WHO WERE THE PROGRESSIVES? Not a single voice; picture a “choir” of singers, each with their own part to sing Urban, middle class, educated, professionals, women very involved Beliefs: capitalism works, but needs reform. Gov’t needs to step in, need to improve conditions caused by I.R.

CONCERNS OF PROGRESSIVES Trusts & monopolies: too much influence Politics run by an elite, taking for themselves: corrupt Growth of poverty: unfair Politics are undemocratic: voters need more power, more say Eliminate corruption by giving people more power! Consumers need protection (food, medications)

Progressive Beliefs Laissez-faire is obsolete Break up large businesses Reform to end corruption and abuse of power in gov’t Increase public’s role in gov’t = increase democracy leads to less corruption More voting Government should create orderly and stable society Government has the power to do good

STEP 1: Raise Awareness Muckrakers: authors, writers & photographers They are social reformers! Expose social & economic problems in magazines, newspapers & books

Jane Addams - Hull House, Chicago, Illinois

Jane Addams – Twenty Years at Hull House - Chicago

Jane Addams Causes Settlement Houses Education Clean up cities Actions Settlement House Movement In slums run by educated, middle class women Help immigrants assimilate Education – reading/writing Basic hygiene and skills needed Help find housing and jobs Impact Settlement houses in all major cities Parks and playgrounds in major cities

Jacob Riis

Ida Tarbell “History of the Standard Oil Company”

Reform…Trusts Muckrakers Ida Tarbell “History of Standard Oil” Frank Norris: “The Octopus” File law suits: Standard Oil, Northern Securities Co. (RR)

"I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach." Upton Sinclair, on the public reaction to his book The Jungle

Orders an investigation Teddy Roosevelt Reads The Jungle President Roosevelt Orders an investigation Into the Meat Packing Industry The Meat Inspection Act Passes in 1906

Consumer Protection Meat Inspection Act (1906) Gov’t can inspect all meat products Ensuring sanitary food and conditions Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) All food must have ingredient labels

Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of Cities

Big City Politician: “Puppeteer”

Political Machines “Boss” is top leader in party NYC Tammany Hall: Boss Tweed Gain votes by promising favors and service to voters; spoils system in full effect Corruption: bribes, kickbacks, skim off the top

The Boss: “Well, what are you going to do about it?” October 21, 1871 THE “BRAINS.”

Government Reforms

Progressive changes in Gov’t Believe Political Parties: Corrupt Undemocratic Goal was to diminish parties’ power Take power from political bosses and allow the public to make more decisions (vote) Increasing the power of people More voting = make more positions elected

Reforms Reforms are started by Gov. Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin “Wisconsin Idea” Initiative = voters propose laws 15% of voters signatures Popular vote or legislature vote Referendum = voters can circulate a petition asking to eliminate a law 10-15% of signature Submitted to popular vote Recall = voters can remove a public official from office 10-30% of signatures required New popular vote - If not reelected, official is removed

Reform of State Govts Increased citizens’ ability to participate in gov’t Secret ballots Initiative, Referendum, Recall Direct primary – citizens chose the party’s candidates 17th Amendment (1913) Senators had been chosen by the state legislature, now they are directly elected by the people of a state 19th Amendment (1919) Women can vote Civil service tests Written test to qualify for a state job Improve factory conditions Results of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Child labor laws - Must be 14 years of age

before the legislature. PROGRESSIVE CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT BEFORE REFORMS AFTER Party leaders choose candidates for state and local offices. State legislatures choose U.S. senators. Only members of the state legislature can introduce bills. Only legislators pass laws. Only courts or the legislature can remove corrupt officials. Direct Primaries Voters select their party’s candidates. 17th Amendment U.S. senators are elected by popular vote. Initiative Voters can put bills before the legislature. Referendum Voters can vote on bills directly. Recall Voters can remove elected officials from office. Power moves to Voters.

Effects on Politics Political parties became less important Voter participation declines Interest groups, trade and labor organizations become more powerful

Changes in Cities New building codes Govt took control over water, gas and electricity More affordable for people Sanitation Transportation