1. Taking up the issues First raised by Populism
RISE OF PROGRESSIVISM
Taking up the issues
First raised by
Populism

2. WHO WERE THE PROGRESSIVES?
Not a single voice; picture a “choir” of singers, each with their own part to sing
Urban, middle class, educated, professionals, women very involved
Beliefs: capitalism works, but needs reform. Gov’t needs to step in, need to improve conditions caused by I.R.

3. CONCERNS OF PROGRESSIVES
Trusts & monopolies: too much influence
Politics run by an elite, taking for themselves: corrupt
Growth of poverty: unfair
Politics are undemocratic: voters need more power, more say
Eliminate corruption by giving people more power!
Consumers need protection (food, medications)

4. Progressive Beliefs Laissez-faire is obsolete
Break up large businesses
Reform to end corruption and abuse of power in gov’t
Increase public’s role in gov’t = increase democracy leads to less corruption
More voting
Government should create orderly and stable society
Government has the power to do good

5. STEP 1: Raise Awareness Muckrakers: authors, writers & photographers
They are social reformers!
Expose social & economic problems in magazines, newspapers & books

6. Jane Addams - Hull House, Chicago, Illinois

7. Jane Addams – Twenty Years at Hull House - Chicago

8. Jane Addams Causes Settlement Houses Education Clean up cities Actions
Settlement House Movement
In slums run by educated, middle class women
Help immigrants assimilate
Education – reading/writing
Basic hygiene and skills needed
Help find housing and jobs
Impact
Settlement houses in all major cities
Parks and playgrounds in major cities

9. Jacob Riis

11. Ida Tarbell
“History of the
Standard Oil Company”

12. Reform…Trusts Muckrakers
Ida Tarbell “History of Standard Oil”
Frank Norris: “The Octopus”
File law suits: Standard Oil, Northern Securities Co. (RR)

15. "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach."
Upton Sinclair, on the public reaction to his book The Jungle

19. Orders an investigation
Teddy Roosevelt Reads
The Jungle
President Roosevelt
Orders an investigation
Into the Meat Packing
Industry
The Meat Inspection
Act Passes in 1906

20. Consumer Protection Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Gov’t can inspect all meat products
Ensuring sanitary food and conditions
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
All food must have ingredient labels

21. Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of Cities

22. Big City Politician: “Puppeteer”

23. Political Machines “Boss” is top leader in party
NYC Tammany Hall: Boss Tweed
Gain votes by promising favors and service to voters; spoils system in full effect
Corruption: bribes, kickbacks, skim off the top

24. The Boss: “Well, what are you going to do about it?”
October 21,
1871
THE “BRAINS.”

25. Government Reforms

26. Progressive changes in Gov’t
Believe Political Parties:
Corrupt
Undemocratic
Goal was to diminish parties’ power
Take power from political bosses and allow the public to make more decisions (vote) Increasing the power of people
More voting = make more positions elected

27. Reforms Reforms are started by Gov. Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin
“Wisconsin Idea”
Initiative = voters propose laws
15% of voters signatures
Popular vote or legislature vote
Referendum = voters can circulate a petition asking to eliminate a law
10-15% of signature
Submitted to popular vote
Recall = voters can remove a public official from office
10-30% of signatures required
New popular vote - If not reelected, official is removed

28. Reform of State Govts
Increased citizens’ ability to participate in gov’t
Secret ballots
Initiative, Referendum, Recall
Direct primary – citizens chose the party’s candidates
17th Amendment (1913)
Senators had been chosen by the state legislature, now they are directly elected by the people of a state
19th Amendment (1919)
Women can vote
Civil service tests
Written test to qualify for a state job
Improve factory conditions
Results of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Child labor laws - Must be 14 years of age

29. before the legislature.
PROGRESSIVE CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT
BEFORE REFORMS AFTER
Party leaders choose
candidates for state
and local offices.
State legislatures
choose U.S.
senators.
Only members of the
state legislature can
introduce bills.
Only legislators
pass laws.
Only courts or the
legislature can remove
corrupt officials.
Direct Primaries
Voters select their
party’s candidates.
17th Amendment
U.S. senators
are elected by
popular vote.
Initiative
Voters can put bills
before the legislature.
Referendum
Voters can vote on
bills directly.
Recall
Voters can remove
elected officials
from office.
Power moves
to Voters.

30. Effects on Politics Political parties became less important
Voter participation declines
Interest groups, trade and labor organizations become more powerful

31. Changes in Cities New building codes
Govt took control over water, gas and electricity
More affordable for people
Sanitation
Transportation