The Progressive Movement Chapter 15 The Progressive Movement

The Roots of Progressivism Progressivism was a collection of different ideas and activities reaction against laissez-faire Many problems in social living Believe gov’t should play a more active role in finding solutions Believed using scientific principles could also produce solutions for society

Roots of Progressivism Group to articulate these ideas were writers nick-named “muckrakers” They uncovered corruption in many different areas Other writers wanted to expose the social problems much of the population faced https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52E4Rm3_k7I

Roots of Progressivism Women’s Suffrage Slow to start Wanted same voting rights as African Americans National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Famous leaders: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Julie Ward Howe

Roots of Progressivism As movement grew, women began organizing marches and speeches More states were giving women the right to vote, Congress began to favor a constitutional amendment It took 2 tries to get passed August 26, 1920 – 19th Amendment – granted women the right to vote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGEMscZE5dY

Roots of Progressivism Progressives focused on reforming the political system and social problems Ways to try and solve social problems: Created charities to help the poor pushed for new laws

Roots of Progressivism Labor conditions were bad for both adults and children Child Labor “The Bitter Cry of Children” Presented detailed evidence of child labor conditions These reports led to laws for minimum employment age and limited working hours

Roots of Progressivism Adult workers labor Progressives pressured states for workers compensations laws Progressives established insurance funds, zoning laws – to protect public

Roots of Progressivism Prohibition Progressives believed alcohol explained many of society’s problems Many urged that people stop or at least moderate their consumption Organizations pushed for prohibition

Roots of Progressivism Progressives Vs Big Business Progressives agreed big business needed regulation Breakup big companies to restore competition Big business was most efficient way to organize the economy

Roosevelt and Taft Roosevelt was popular with progressives Believed U.S. was in competition with other nations Believed gov’t should actively balance the needs of competing groups in American society

Roosevelt and Taft Agreed with big business but worried about the monopoly power hurting public interest Fought trust who abuse power He took many active roles in preventing too much power in big business Proposed creating a new federal agency to investigate corporations and publicized the results Many companies made private deals with Roosevelt if problems were found to keep from going to court

Roosevelt and Taft Consumer Protection Meat Inspection Act – 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act - 1906

Roosevelt and Taft Roosevelt's Legacy He changed role of federal gov’t and nature of the presidency Americans began looking to gov’t to solve nations economic and social problems http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/theodore-roosevelt/videos/theodore-roosevelts-acts-and-legacy http://www.biography.com/people/theodore-roosevelt-9463424

Roosevelt and Taft William Howard Taft would be Roosevelt's successor Taft’s Presidency Lowered tariffs Replaced Roosevelts secretary who was a conservative Children’s Bureau

Roosevelt and Taft Roosevelt would publicly criticize Taft about his decisions he made in office for destroying what Roosevelt had started/set up in his presidency

The Wilson Years Election of 1912 Taft - Republican Roosevelt -Republican New Nationalism Wilson – Democrat - would win New Freedom

Wilson’s Reforms Tariffs Reduce tariffs Wilson believed lowering tariffs would benefit both American consumers and manufacturers Underwood Tariff Act 17th Amendment – gov’t power to tax the income of individuals directly

Banks Federal Reserve Act 1913 Created 12 regional banks to be supervised by a Board of Governors National supervision of the banking system BOG set interest rates, the reserve banks charged other banks, controlled rates and amount of money in circulation

The Wilson Years Antitrust Action Worked toward limiting business activities that unfairly limited competition Wilson built up Roosevelt’s foundation Expanded role of federal gov’t and power of president Gov’t continued to play an active role in regulating the economy and solving social problems