Social Reforms There are many – but they are some of the most fun to discuss!

SOCIAL REFORMS The idea that the g overnment’s powers get expanded, so it could become more active in improving the lives of its citizens (a.k.a. Social Welfare)

Social Reform #1 Safer Food –Government Inspection of Food needed –Proper Labeling –Cleanliness of factories Have you read “The Jungle”? Yuck!

Remember... The Jungle Written by Upton Sinclair Talks about the horrors of the meat packing industry Informs public and gov’t. of problem

Result: Meat Inspection Act of 1906 All animals were required to pass an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to slaughter All animals were required to pass an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to slaughter All carcasses were subject to a post- mortem inspection All carcasses were subject to a post- mortem inspection Cleanliness standards were established for slaughterhouses and processing plants. Cleanliness standards were established for slaughterhouses and processing plants.

Social Reform #2 Safer Medicines –Restrict Harmful Drugs –Proper Labeling –Government Approval of Future Drugs/Medicines

Patent Medicines Medicines at the turn of the century did not require a prescription. Making exaggerated claims, they were used for a variety of ailments. Many contained dangerous ingredients.ingredients.

Note ↑...More Exaggerated Claims!

Cocaine was a common ingredient – even for children's medicines

Until 1903, a typical serving contained around 60mg of cocaine “You'll be surprised how quickly it will ease the tired brain”

Morphine

Notice it's from the makers of Bayer Aspirin...

Result: Pure Food and Drug Act of ) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created and responsible for testing all foods and drugs planned for human use 2) Prescriptions required from licensed physicians for certain drugs 3) Warning labels required on habit- forming drugs

Social Reform #3 Women’s rights –Suffrage (voting) –Owning Property –Divorce –Clothing –Birth Control

Women’s Reform Leaders Susan B Anthony – early activist who worked towards gaining suffrage for women –Created National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)

Women’s Reform Leaders Alice Paul – radical activist who worked towards gaining suffrage for women. Part of “new generation.” –Created Congressional Union (CU): wanted an Amendment giving Women right to vote

School House Rock - Sufferin' Till Suffrage Mary PoppinsPoppins Mary Poppins – Sister Suffragette

Social Reform #4 Protection of the Environment –Antiquities Act of 1906 »Allows President to designate National Monuments »Protect and Preserve Wildlife Areas

Tenement Life The Over- Crowding of the Cities The Over- Crowding of the Cities Poor Living Conditions Poor Living Conditions Unsanitary Conditions Unsanitary Conditions Social Reform #5

Airshaft of a dumbbell tenement, New York City, taken from the roof, c

Two officials of the New York City Tenement House Department inspect a cluttered basement living room, ca GS-32.

Social Reform #6 Unsafe Working Conditions/Child Labor –Fewer Hours –Higher Wages –Safer Factories –Unions

Child labor photosChild labor photos

Mar. 25, 1911 The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory operated on the top 3 floors of the 10 story Asche Building in New York City

Notice that the tallest ladders owned by the fire dept. only reach the 6 th floor In 1911, Unsafe working conditions lead to a deadly fire

Rather than burn alive in the swift moving fire, many women jump from windows

This is actually a photo of the building after the fire! Note how there is very little damage on the outside of the building

Eight months after the fire, a jury acquitted the factory owners, of any wrong doing. Twenty-three individual civil suits were brought against the owners of the Asch building. On March 11, 1913, three years after the fire, the owners settled. They paid 75 dollars per life lost. This tragedy led to a push for comprehensive safety and workers compensation laws.

Social Reform #7 Early Civil Rights Movement African Americans were still fighting for basic rights guaranteed to them in the Constitution

Problems African Americans Faced Voter Restrictions –Poll Tax – Pay a fee to vote –Literacy Test – prove you could read & write to vote –Grandfather Clause – exempts a group of people from obeying a law provided they met certain conditions before law was passed

Problems African Americans Faced Jim Crow Laws – System of laws that segregated public services by race

Problems African Americans Faced Plessy v. Ferguson – “Separate but Equal” (1896) –Supreme Court ruled against Homer Plessy saying segregation was legal as long as separate facilities were equal

Problems African Americans Faced Lynching – mob’s illegal seizure & execution of a person, usually by hanging

African American Leaders Booker T. Washington – encouraged African Americans to become educated & learn a trade Wanted to work slowly and diligently towards rights – nothing radical

African American Leaders W.E.B. DuBois – encouraged Top 10% of African Americans to attend college & become leaders; Also started the N.A.A.C.P.

African American Leaders NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People –Worked through courts to gain equal rights for African Am.

Our Progressive Presidents Theodore Roosevelt Republican Youngest President Took office after McKinley was assasinated

What Does TR Do? Led fight to dissolve 40 monopolies and became known as “trust buster“ Promised a “Square Deal" or a fair shake for the average citizen – it includes: – regulation of railroad rates and pure foods and drugs. – promotion of the conservation movement, emphasizing efficient use of natural resources.

William Howard Taft Republican Promised to continue TR’s ideas Tried but lacked TR’s energy Our Progressive Presidents

William Taft Initiated 80 antitrust suits (more than TR!) Established the Interstate Commerce Commission to set railroad rates Submitted to the states amendments for a Federal income tax and the direct election of Senators

1912 Election

Woodrow Wilson Anti-trust legislation established a Federal Trade Commission to prohibit unfair business practices. Laws prohibiting child labor; another limited railroad workers to an eight-hour day. Lowered Tariffs: reduced prices on goods for the lower class Our Progressive Presidents

Progressive Constitutional Amendments 16 th Amendment – Congress can levy income taxes 17 th Amendment – Direct Election of Senators 18 th Amendment – Prohibition of Alcohol 19 th Amendment – Women’s Suffrage