Muckrakers and Reformers Progressive Era Muckrakers and Reformers

During the early 1900’s many lived difficult lives During the early 1900’s many lived difficult lives. Farmers struggled to survive, city dwellers lived crowded together in unsafe apartment buildings and African Americans faced racial segregation. Segregation- separation of people according to race, sex, or other characteristics.

Farmers struggled because as more farmers raised more goods the prices of these products dropped. Also the shipping costs for these products went up.

GOLD STANDARD AND FREE SILVER People used to be able to trade in their paper money for silver or gold pieces. However, gold mines started to not produce as much gold and silver dollars were the only ones backed by metal

He lost the Presidential elections of 1900 and 1908. Farmers and Democrats wanted the government to use just silver for money. This is called “free silver” William Jennings Bryan was a great orator. He went around the country voicing his support for free silver. He lost the Presidential elections of 1900 and 1908.

Progressive Era 1898-1917 Many political, economic, and social reforms were made In 1900 the United States was the most industrialized nation in the world. However there was a lot of corruption in industry Muckraker- a journalist who informs the public about corruption in business

This was supposed to prevent monopolies. Sherman Antitrust Act Law passed by Congress in 1890 that prohibited large companies and powerful industries from interfering with free trade or limiting competitions This was supposed to prevent monopolies.

Wrote about the Standard oil company and regulations they broke. Famous Muckrakers I D A T A R B E L L This led to the Supreme Court decision in 1911 to break up the oil trust. Wrote about the Standard oil company and regulations they broke.

Because of Sinclair the government began food inspections. It also talked about the unsanitary conditions in the plants at the time. Upton Sinclair Because of Sinclair the government began food inspections. Wrote a book entitled “The Jungle” It was a book about the meat packing industry and the workers in it

Jane Adams Urban Reformers Founded the HULL HOUSE in Chicago This is where poor and immigrant families could come and stay and be taught good hygiene and nutrition was taught

He did a lot to raise awareness of how the poor live and child labor. Once was a homeless man in New York, became a reporter and wrote a book called “How the other Half Lives” Jacob Riis He did a lot to raise awareness of how the poor live and child labor.

Theodore Roosevelt Was a war hero in the Spanish American War. Led a group called the Rough Riders

He came back from the war and ran for governor of New York State He came back from the war and ran for governor of New York State. He wanted to see reform in Government which didn’t make him popular with some of his colleagues.

In 1900 he was elected with McKinely as Vice-President. A year after the election McKinely was assassinated and Roosevelt became President. In 1900 he was elected with McKinely as Vice-President.

People began making stuffed bears called Teddy Bears. One day while hunting in Mississippi he refused to shoot a bear cub that someone had tied to a tree.

He was the first President to establish and push for a lot of National Parks and National Forests

Square Deal Roosevelt believed that all Americans should get fair treatment and a chance for a good life.

He did this by attacking railroads and big business who believed they were above the law.