Accomplishments of the Progressives

To Improve Democracy and break the power of the political machines Secret Ballot Direct Primaries Initiative, Referendum, Recall New styles of city governments –City manager style – hire “manager” –Commission style – board of commissioners 17 th Amendment – direct election of US Senators 19 th Amendment – Women’s right to vote

To break the power of monopolies and restore competition TRUSTBUSTING Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) –Strengthened Sherman Anti-Trust Act –Labor unions and farm cooperatives were exempt from anti-trust actions Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) –Created regulatory agency to investigate and take action against unfair trade practices

Hepburn Act (1906) Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates.Interstate Commerce Commissionrailroad This led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers. ICC could also view the railroads' financial records, a task simplified by standardized bookkeeping systems.financial records bookkeeping Mann-Elkins Act(1910) extended the authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission to include communications.Interstate Commerce Commission communications

To provide consumer protection Meat Inspection Act –Federal inspectors in meatpacking plants to ensure they met minimum standards of sanitation Pure Food & Drug Act –Prohibited manufacture, sale, and transportation of impure or mislabeled foods and drugs

To promote conservation of natural resources Forest Reserve Act –TR set aside 150 million acres of federal land as a national reserve, not to be sold to private interests Newlands Reclamation Act –Irrigation projects in western states National Conservation Commission –Promote conservation by state governments → State Parks

To improve the quality of life for people of the U.S. Child Labor laws Better schools –Free kindergarten, night schools Safety in the workplace –Fire safety, limit hours, minimum wage, workers’ compensation Prohibition – 18 th Amendment Graduated Income Tax – 16 th Amendment TR’s “Square Deal” for labor –1902 Coal miners strike – TR threatened to use federal troops against owners

To restore conditions of free and fair competition in the economy Underwood Tariff (1913) lowered tariff for 1 st time in 50 years Federal Reserve Act (1914) – created national banking system with 12 district banks supervised by a Federal Reserve Board – issue currency, adjust interest rates and reserve ratios for member banks

Federal Reserve System The central banking system for the US Bankers’ Bank Regulate the amount of currency in circulation –Set the interest rate charged to member banks –Set the reserve requirement – the amount of the deposits a bank must keep on hand

Lasting Effects of Progressive Era Government was responsible for people’s well-being We could meet problems of urbanization and industrialization Belief that a President should be a strong and effective national leader (TR – “stewardship theory”)

Progressive Movement died out in 1920 Many reforms adopted – goals were met People lacked enthusiasm World War I and its aftermath left people apathetic