Chapter 18 Section 2: Progressive Legislation

An Expanded Role for Government Most only wanted control in essential companies, such as water & electric Believed that government ought to increase its responsibility for the wealth of people

Social welfare programs –Unemployment, accident & health insurance, & social security –Managed by professionals

Municipal Reforms Attacking the Bosses –Opposed the influence of political bosses –Called for a civil service system based on merit

Cities take over Utilities By 1915, nearly 2 out of 3 cities had some city owned utilities (water, gas, Electric)

Providing Welfare Services Public baths, parks, & work relief programs in Detroit Playgrounds, kindergarten, & lodging houses for the homeless in Toldeo

State Reforms More power to voters –Direct primary in Wisconsin – th Amendment require the direct election of Senators

Reforms in the Workplace Some states established labor departments, others worker’s, accident, & compensation insurance Businesses fought back –Government had no right to make contracts with their employees

1907 2/3 of states abolished child labor (under 14) Minimum wage laws for women & children

Wisconsin’s Reform Governor Robert M. La Follette “Fighting Bob” –Ousted party bosses & brought a structural change- direct primary & civil service reform

Federal Reforms Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal –1902 United mine workers strike protesting low wages –T.R. intervened because the nation was lacking the coal needed to heat their homes

T.R. threatened to use the army to seize & operate mines 1903 arbitrators granted the miners a 10% raise & reduced the workday to 9 hours

Antitrust Activism Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was used by the Attorney General to sue the Northern Securities Company –Company brought a modest decline in railroad rates –Court dissolved the company

Railroad Regulation Passage in 1906 of the Hepburn Act –Authorized the ICC to set & limit railroad rates

Protecting Public Health Pure Food & Drug and Meat Inspection Acts –Required accurate labeling of ingredients, strict sanitary conditions, & a rating system for meats

A New Labor Department government established a Children’s Bureau Department of Labor added Women’s Bureau

Protecting the Environment Established Yellowstone as the nation’s first national park in 1872 Created the U.S. Forest Service headed by Gifford Pinchot

National Reclamation Act of used money from the sale of public lands to build irrigation systems

New Constitutional Amendments 16 th Income tax 17 th Direct election of Senators 18 th Prohibition