Unit 3: Imperialism and Progressivism 3-4: Progressives in Government

Early Progressivism ADD to Notes The Populists first started to push for reform in government because of the unfair rate practices by railroads The Interstate Commerce Commission investigated any rate discrimination or other unfair practices Pendleton Civil Service Act was another early reform in the Federal government, which provided tests for some government jobs The law was passed after an angry supporter of President Garfield assassinated him for not giving him a government job

Presidential Progressivism Pg. 82 Teddy Roosevelt 26th president, Republican Roosevelt was concerned with the “Three C’s of reform: conservation of natural resources, consumer protection, and control of corporations (ADD to Notes) These reforms were known as the “Square Deal” according to Roosevelt, because they represented fair play and opportunity The Meat Inspection Act was passed by Congress under Roosevelt, because people were disgusted by what Upton Sinclair wrote in “The Jungle” The Pure Food and Drug Act was also passed under Roosevelt, and required the labeling of food, and prevented certain poisons to be used as preservatives

Presidential Progressivism Pg 84 Woodrow Wilson, 28th president, Democrat Woodrow Wilson also pushed for reforms reforming corporations and banks Under Wilson the 16th amendment to the Constitution was passed, allowing the government to tax income Congress passed the Federal Reserve Act, which created the nation’s central bank, which created stability for the nation’s currency, and took influence of banking out of the hands of a select few private bankers Under Wilson the Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed, which strengthened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act against monopolies, and prevented anti-trust laws to be used against unions The Federal Trade Commission was a board that would investigate trade practices that might violate the Clayton Anti-Trust Act

Progressive Reforms in States Pg. 75 State legislatures were often also controlled by lawmakers connected to businesses, and sometimes this led to corruption Progressives sought reforms to return power to the hands of the people, not the corrupt legislatures Secret ballot: allowed for you to vote anonymously (ADD to notes) Direct primary: the people vote for a candidate to represent them in an election, they aren’t picked by the legislature Initiative: the people can have an issue put on the ballot Referendum: the people can vote on an issue put on a ballot Recall: the people can vote to remove an official from office before his/her term is over

Corruption at City Hall ADD to notes The cartoonist Thomas Nast who drew political cartoons was considered to be a Progressive responsible for breaking the power of Tammany Hall in NYC. Because of his political cartoons, the corruption of the political machine was investigated, and the leader, Boss Tweed was jailed.

Comprehension Question Pick one of the following laws, describe the problem it was meant to fix, and how it was supposed to fix that problem: Meat Inspection Act, Pure Food and Drug Act, Federal Reserve Act, Clayton Anti-Trust Act