Chapter 18: The Progressive Reform Era (1890-1920)

The goals of the Progressives (Populists) could be summed up into four beliefs: Government should be more accountable to its citizens Government should curb the power and influence of wealthy interests Government should be given expanded powers so that it could become more active in improving the lives of its citizens Government should become more efficient and less corrupt so that they could competently handle an expanded role

Origins of Progressivism In 1906, writer and journalist Upton Sinclair published The Jungle, a novel about how meat was processed and the accidents, illnesses, and painful deaths that occurred within the meat packing industry.

Muckrakers A muckrake is a rake or pitchfork used to clean poo and hay out of stables. Teddy Roosevelt used the term muckraker to refer to journalists who raked filth into the public eye. Upton Sinclair: wrote The Jungle to expose deplorable conditions in the meatpacking industry. Called attention to the problems, and helped promote reform.

Progressive Legislation Progressives believed that government ought to increase the responsibility for the well being of people and sought more social welfare programs, looking at all levels of government – municipal, state, and federal.

Municipal Reform Direct Primary – An election in which citizens select nominees for upcoming elections Initiative – a process in which citizens can put a proposed new law directly on the ballot in the next election Referendum – a process that citizens use to reject or approve a law passed by the legislature

State Reforms Recall – A procedure that permits voters to remove public officials from office before the next election and before their term expires Federal Reforms Pure Food and Drug Act – Forbid the manufacture, sale, or transportation of food or drugs containing harmful ingredients

Federal Reforms Meat Inspection Act – Government inspection of meat shipped from one state to another Department of Labor – A federal agency that supports laws that benefit workers 16th Amendment – Collection of income tax 17th Amendment – Allowing the direct election of Senators (instead of State legislatures selecting Senators to the U.S. Senate)

Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drug Act

1906

Reforms During Wilson’s Administration: Woodrow Wilson believed that his duty as President was to offer major legislation to Congress, to promote it publicly, and to guide it to passage. Reforms During Wilson’s Administration:

Wilson’s Reforms Clayton Anti-Trust Act – Limited the power of monopolies and clarified the Sherman Anti-Trust Act Federal Trade Commission – Created the Agency (FTC) that investigates fraudulent practices and used the courts to enforce its policies Federal Reserve Act (System)- Created a three level banking system that controlled the nation’s money supply and regulated member banks

Wilson’s Reforms Adamson Act – Reduced railroad workers workday from 10 hours to 8 hours with no cut in pay Federal Workmen’s Compensation Act – Benefits paid to federal employees injured on the job Keating-Owen Child Labor Act – Outlawed products sold interstate produced by child labor

Reforms During Wilson’s Administration: 18th Amendment – Prohibition – no sale or manufacture of alcoholic beverages 19th Amendment – Women receive the right to vote (suffrage)

Suffrage At Last For roughly 70 years, women’s organizations actively campaigned for suffrage, or the right to vote. In 1848, American women’s organizations demanded the right to vote at the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. The Seneca Falls Convention made famous the names of Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In 1872, Susan B. Anthony joined the caused and would take the suffrage cause into the 20th Century.

Anthony led a group of women to the polls in Rochester, New York where voting was illegal for women; she was arrested for this act of civil disobedience – a non-violent refusal to obey a law in an effort to change it. In 1890, Anthony, Stanton, and Lucy Stone were joined by younger leaders in forming the National American Woman Suffrage Association In 1918, Congress proposed the suffrage amendment. In August, 1920, the 19th Amendment became law and women now had the right to vote.