1. The Progressive Movement (1890-1920)

2. I. The Roots of Progressivism The Rise of Progressivism The era in American history from about 1890 to 1920 is known as the Progressive Era The era in American history from about 1890 to 1920 is known as the Progressive Era Progressivism was a collection of different ideas and activities about how to fix the problems within American society Progressivism was a collection of different ideas and activities about how to fix the problems within American society

3. I. The Roots of Progressivism Who Were the Progressives? Belonged to both major political parties Belonged to both major political parties Usually were urban, educated middle- class Americans Usually were urban, educated middle- class Americans Many worked as journalists, social workers, educators, politicians, and members of the clergy Many worked as journalists, social workers, educators, politicians, and members of the clergy

4. I. The Roots of Progressivism What Did Progressives Believe? Generally agreed that industrialization and urbanization had created many social problems Generally agreed that industrialization and urbanization had created many social problems Most agreed that the government should take a more active role in solving society’s problems Most agreed that the government should take a more active role in solving society’s problems

5. I. The Roots of Progressivism Why Did the Movement Begin? Began partly as a reaction against laissez- faire (“hands off”) economics, in which the government stays completely out of the business world Began partly as a reaction against laissez- faire (“hands off”) economics, in which the government stays completely out of the business world They doubted that the government, in it’s present form, could fix the problems of poverty, crime, filth, disease, etc They doubted that the government, in it’s present form, could fix the problems of poverty, crime, filth, disease, etc

6. I. The Roots of Progressivism They concluded that the government had to be fixed first before it could be used to fix other problems They concluded that the government had to be fixed first before it could be used to fix other problems

7. I. The Roots of Progressivism The Muckrakers The muckrakers were a group of journalists who investigated social conditions and political corruption The muckrakers were a group of journalists who investigated social conditions and political corruption Muckrakers uncovered corruption in many areas (government, unfair business practices, social problems) Muckrakers uncovered corruption in many areas (government, unfair business practices, social problems)

8. I. The Roots of Progressivism Ida Tarbell: Published a series of articles critical of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company Published a series of articles critical of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company Lincoln Steffens: Reported on vote stealing and other corrupt practices of urban political machines (The Shame of the Cities) Reported on vote stealing and other corrupt practices of urban political machines (The Shame of the Cities)

9. I. The Roots of Progressivism Jacob Riis Mostly though photography, described the poverty, disease, and crime that affected many immigrant neighborhoods in NYC (How the Other Half Lives) Mostly though photography, described the poverty, disease, and crime that affected many immigrant neighborhoods in NYC (How the Other Half Lives)

17. I. The Roots of Progressivism Upton Sinclair Exposed the horrible conditions of the meat packing industry in his book The Jungle Exposed the horrible conditions of the meat packing industry in his book The Jungle -Led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act

18. I. The Roots of Progressivism In spite of the phenomenal success of The Jungle, Upton Sinclair lamented (expressed grief) what he considered to be its failure when he made his often-quoted assessment: In spite of the phenomenal success of The Jungle, Upton Sinclair lamented (expressed grief) what he considered to be its failure when he made his often-quoted assessment: “I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident, I hit it in the stomach.”

19. I. The Roots of Progressivism What Was the Impact of the Muckrakers? They put pressure on politicians to introduce new reforms They put pressure on politicians to introduce new reforms

20. I. The Roots of Progressivism Progressive Presidents The Progressive Movement involved 3 Presidents: The Progressive Movement involved 3 Presidents: 1) Theodore Roosevelt 2) William Howard Taft 3) Woodrow Wilson

21. Political Corruption in the Cities Problem In most cities the mayor chose the heads of city departments In most cities the mayor chose the heads of city departments These jobs often went to the mayor’s political supporters and/or friends These jobs often went to the mayor’s political supporters and/or friends -Many had very little knowledge or experience in their appointed position Sometimes offices were even sold to the highest bidder Sometimes offices were even sold to the highest bidder

22. Political Corruption in the Cities Solution Commission Plan: introduced by progressive reformers Commission Plan: introduced by progressive reformers -divides a city’s government into several departments each placed under the control of an expert commissioner

23. Political Corruption in the Cities 1) Voters elect a Board of Commissioners 2) Board of Commissioners appoint… -Police Commissioner -Fire Commissioner -Parks Commissioner -Finance Commissioner -Public Works Commissioner Each of these appointees would be considered “experts” in their fields Each of these appointees would be considered “experts” in their fields

24. Political Corruption in the Cities Impact 1900: Galveston, TX was devastated by one of the worst hurricanes on record 1900: Galveston, TX was devastated by one of the worst hurricanes on record -6,000 people died -The political machine in power was not able to deal with the situation effectively, so the city adopted the commission plan -The city quickly recovered and other cities across the nation adopted the plan

26. Political Corruption in State Gov’t Problem State governments were often run by corrupt governors and representatives State governments were often run by corrupt governors and representativesSolution Robert La Follette: “Battling Bob” – Governor of Wisconsin – Most famous progressive governor Robert La Follette: “Battling Bob” – Governor of Wisconsin – Most famous progressive governor -Wisconsin…“Laboratory of Democracy”

27. "Until that time, the candidates whose names appeared on ballots were selected by party leaders in private caucuses. Drawing on the ideas of other reformers to make politics more democratic, La Follette successfully pushed the legislature to pass measures instituting direct primary elections, which gave voters the right to choose their own candidates for office. He supported measures that doubled the taxes on the railroads, broke up monopolies, preserved the state's forests, protected workers' rights, defended small farmers, and regulated lobbying to end patronage politics. La Follette worked closely with professors from the University of Wisconsin to help the state become 'a laboratory of democracy.' By the time he joined the U.S. Senate in 1906, La Follette had become a national figure

28. Political Corruption in State Gov’t Direct Primary: allows all party members to vote for a candidate to run in the general election Direct Primary: allows all party members to vote for a candidate to run in the general election -In the past, political machines often controlled which candidates were chosen to run in elections (corruption) Initiative: allowed a group of citizens to propose new laws, by petition, and required the state legislatures to vote on it Initiative: allowed a group of citizens to propose new laws, by petition, and required the state legislatures to vote on it

29. Political Corruption in State Gov’t Referendum: allowed laws passed by the state legislatures to be submitted to voters for approval or rejection Referendum: allowed laws passed by the state legislatures to be submitted to voters for approval or rejection Recall: allowed voters to demand a special-called election to remove an elected official from office before his/her term ends Recall: allowed voters to demand a special-called election to remove an elected official from office before his/her term ends

30. Political Corruption in State Gov’t 17 th Amendment (1912) provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators 17 th Amendment (1912) provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators -In the past, U.S. Senators were chosen by the state legislatures (corruption) Impact These state reforms led to a more democratic society (meaning, citizens had more of a “voice” in politics) These state reforms led to a more democratic society (meaning, citizens had more of a “voice” in politics)

31. Suffrage for Women Problem After the Civil War, leaders of the woman suffrage movement wanted the 14 th and 15 th Amendments to be applied to women as well (didn’t happen) After the Civil War, leaders of the woman suffrage movement wanted the 14 th and 15 th Amendments to be applied to women as well (didn’t happen)

32. Suffrage for Women Solution The movement for women’s voting rights became know as the suffrage movement The movement for women’s voting rights became know as the suffrage movement This was an important issue for progressives, though the movement began well before the progressive movement This was an important issue for progressives, though the movement began well before the progressive movement -Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were important early leaders

33. Suffrage for Women National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) -Formed in 1890 -Susan B. Anthony was the most recognized leader of the movement -Organized marches and protests, delivered speeches and lobbied lawmakers -1915: Carrie Chapman Catt became NAWSA’s leader – wanted to mobilize the suffrage movement nation-wide in one final push to gain voting rights (the “Winning Plan”)

35. Suffrage for Women 19 th Amendment: guarantees women the right to vote 19 th Amendment: guarantees women the right to vote

36. Health and Safety in the Workplace Problem No health codes, no safety codes, no workers’ compensation, etc. No health codes, no safety codes, no workers’ compensation, etc. -Factories, coal mines, and railroads were especially dangerous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: 1911 in NYC – 150 women died mainly because the doors were locked from the outside Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: 1911 in NYC – 150 women died mainly because the doors were locked from the outside

38. Health and Safety in the Workplace Solution Progressives pushed for workers’ compensation for those injured on the job Progressives pushed for workers’ compensation for those injured on the job Building codes set minimum standards for lighting, air circulation, room sizes, sanitation, and required fire escapes Building codes set minimum standards for lighting, air circulation, room sizes, sanitation, and required fire escapes Health codes required restaurants to maintain clean environments Health codes required restaurants to maintain clean environments

39. Child Labor Problem 1900: Over 1.7 million under the age of 16 worked outside the home 1900: Over 1.7 million under the age of 16 worked outside the home John Spargo: a muckraker who wrote the book The Bitter Cry of the Children presented detailed evidence on child labor conditions John Spargo: a muckraker who wrote the book The Bitter Cry of the Children presented detailed evidence on child labor conditions -EX: “breaker boys” in the coal mines were paid 60 cents for a 10-hour day – the work bent their backs permanently

41. Child Labor Solution Progressives established a National Child Labor Committee in 1904 to work to abolish child labor Progressives established a National Child Labor Committee in 1904 to work to abolish child labor Reports by Spargo and others convinced states to pass laws to limit the hours children could work – age limits also put into place Reports by Spargo and others convinced states to pass laws to limit the hours children could work – age limits also put into place

42. Child Labor Some states began to pass compulsory education laws, requiring children to be in school and not at work Some states began to pass compulsory education laws, requiring children to be in school and not at workImpact By the early 1900s, the number of child laborers had declined By the early 1900s, the number of child laborers had declined Women also began to work outside the home because the children could not Women also began to work outside the home because the children could not

43. Alcohol Abuse Problem Alcohol abuse was considered by many to be the cause of many of society’s problems Alcohol abuse was considered by many to be the cause of many of society’s problems

44. Alcohol Abuse Solution The Temperance Movement called for the moderation or elimination of alcohol The Temperance Movement called for the moderation or elimination of alcohol -The movement was led by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union 18 th Amendment 18 th Amendment

46. Big Business and Monopolies Problem Laws passed by the federal and state governments to prevent monopolies were not enforced Laws passed by the federal and state governments to prevent monopolies were not enforced

47. Big Business and Monopolies Solution A group of progressives focused on regulating big business, but they disagreed on the solutions A group of progressives focused on regulating big business, but they disagreed on the solutions -One side believed the government should break up big companies to restore competition -The other group wanted the creation of government agencies to regulate big companies and prevent them from abusing their power

48. Big Business and Monopolies Socialism, the idea that the government should own and operate industry for the community as a whole, was an idea share by a small minority of progressives Socialism, the idea that the government should own and operate industry for the community as a whole, was an idea share by a small minority of progressives -Eugene Debs led the American Socialist Party and was the party’s candidate for president in 1912

50. Big Business and Monopolies Most progressives believed in the American system of free enterprise Most progressives believed in the American system of free enterprise Presidents during the Progressive Era (esp. Teddy Roosevelt) often used their authority to break up businesses that had monopolies Presidents during the Progressive Era (esp. Teddy Roosevelt) often used their authority to break up businesses that had monopolies -Roosevelt was sometimes called the “Trust- Buster”

52. Big Business and Monopolies During his second term, Theodore Roosevelt’s reform program was known as “Square Deal” During his second term, Theodore Roosevelt’s reform program was known as “Square Deal” -felt gov’t should try to balance the needs of all the groups in American society

54. Big Business and Monopolies Coal Strike of 1902: United Mine Workers called a strike to protest low wages Coal Strike of 1902: United Mine Workers called a strike to protest low wages -T. Roosevelt. acted as a 3 rd party between the union and owners -1 st example of federal gov’t supporting labor (i.e. workers)

55. Other Important Legislation Hepburn Act: required railroads to get permission from the U.S. gov’t before raising rates Hepburn Act: required railroads to get permission from the U.S. gov’t before raising rates 16 th Amendment: created a federal income tax 16 th Amendment: created a federal income tax National Park Service: protected and ran the national parks National Park Service: protected and ran the national parks Federal Reserve Act: 1913 – regulates the supply of money in the U.S. Federal Reserve Act: 1913 – regulates the supply of money in the U.S.