Progressivism Political and Eco changes Unit 7.3 -

Progressivism Main Idea Progressive reformers responded to economic instability, social inequality, and political corruption by calling for government intervention in the economy, expanded democracy, greater social justice, and conservation of natural resources.

Democratic Reforms - Many of the reforms were to try to curb the power of the Political machines and give the people more of a voice. - Direct Primary – people, not political machines choose their party’s candidates. - Secret Ballots (Australian ballot) - 17 th Amendment – direction of U.S. Senators instead of the state legislatures choosing them

More Direct Changes Initiative – people can propose law (petition) Referendum – people can vote on a law Recall – people can vote to remove an elected official before term expires

Government Efficiency The Progressive Era was a change in attitude where many started to believe government needed to get involved or try to “fix” society’s problems City Manager – someone outside of elected office to deal with day-to-day issues ◦ Sanitation, fire issues ◦ Tom Johnson of Cleveland did many Progressive changes Robert LaFollette and the Wisconsin Experiment ◦ Progressive reforms as Governor and Senator Idea of “laboratories of democratic experiments”

Tax Changes Before 1900, main source of revenue for Federal Government was Tariffs (custom duties on imports) President Taft called for Tariff Reform, but most it came under President Wilson Underwood Tariff lowered tariffs 16 th Amendment allowed for income tax  Originally proposed by Populist  What meant by a graduated income tax? Is that fair?

Trust-busting Teddy Roosevelt got the reputation as the Trustbuster, but Taft actually broke apart many more. Influenced by Ida Tarbell’s book (History of Standard Oil) Northern Securities Company (1902) breakup publicized ◦ Controlled by J.P. Morgan who does not like T.R. Roosevelt was more of a Trust regulator than buster Taft would go after 4 times as many, and Wilson even more ◦ Louis Brandeis would support Wilson on the Supreme Court Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) – built upon the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, but with more enforcement

Business Regulation Elkins Act (1903) and Hepburn Act (1906) increased the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission over railroads. Federal Trade Commission established in 1914 Don’t forget Pure Food and Drug Act 1906, Meat Inspection Act 1906, and the Keating-Owen Act 1916 Federal Reserve Act passed in 1913 created the Federal Reserve which controls monetary policy.

Conservation Teddy Roosevelt set aside more land than any other President (until Clinton)  Established the National Conservation Commission  Newlands Act His advisors had different goals: ◦ John Muir (founder of Sierra Club) – Preservation ◦ Gifford Pinchot (US Forest Service) – Conservation ◦ What’s the difference and who did T.R. side with?

Teddy 2 nd Term Square Deal ◦ Roosevelt wanted to expand on Progressive measures ◦ 1 st President to arbitrate a labor dispute ◦ Limited because of economic downturn in the Panic of 1907  Had to ask JP Morgan for help (no B.U.S.) and agreed to not bust up his U.S. Steel company.

1908 Election and Taft Roosevelt had said he would not run again and regretted that promise later. He hand-picked Taft to succeed him. Taft easily beat William Jennings Bryan in 1908 Taft’s administration: ◦ More trust-busting (even U.S. Steel) ◦ Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Taft had promised to cut tariff, but then conservative Republicans in Congress raised taxes and Taft signed it. ◦ Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy – popular Pinchot was fired after criticizing Sec. of Interior Richard Ballinger ◦ Upset many of the Progressives as he sided with the more Conservative Republicans

Republican Split The Republicans into two groups in 1912: Conservatives – supported Taft and business-minded Progressives – hoped that TR would return to led them Republican leadership chose Taft. Progressives made their own party (nicknamed Bull-Moose Party).

New Nationalism Roosevelt returned with his New Nationalism plan in 1912 ◦ Progressive wing liked it, but Conservatives thought it was too radical. At the Republican Convention the party split. Taft became the nominee. Roosevelt and the Progressive started the Progressive Party (Bull-Moose)

More Radical Groups Socialist Party ◦ Want gov’t to own main industries Led by Eugene Debs ◦ Ran for President 5 times ◦ Outspoken critic of business IWW – International Workers of the World “Wobblies” led by Bill Heywood ◦ Fought for more labor rights ◦ More radical and Marxist leaning These groups fade after 1920 because of the Red Scare.

Election of Major Candidates ◦ Rep – Taft (red) ◦ Dem – Woodrow Wilson (blue) ◦ Pro – Roosevelt (green) ◦ Soc – Debs

Wilson’s Progressive Program Federal Reserve established Federal Trade Commission established Tariff Reduction (Underwood Tariff) Clayton Anti-Trust Act Louis Brandeis nominated to Supreme Court In what way was Wilson not Progressive? What stopped the Progressive movement?

Progressivism effects Progressives promoted federal legislation to regulate abuses of the economy and the environment, and many sought to expand democracy.

7.3 Reflection Questions 1. How did Theodore Roosevelt set the stage for the rest of the 1900s with government regulation of businesses? 2. In what ways did citizens get more of a say in the running of their government in the Progressive Era? 3. What does a socialist believe? 4. How could the statement that the Progressive Party was the most influential 3 rd party in US History be supported? 5. What are some of the lasting effects of the Progressive Era?

Links ure=relmfu – Review video ure=relmfu ature=relmfu – Review video, presidents ature=relmfu 7_files/Page651.htm - Progressive Era Cartoons Webquest 7_files/Page651.htm /GAPECartoons.cfm - gilded and progressive age cartoons /GAPECartoons.cfm playlists/0q87gr/the-colbert-report highlights/s4ds82 -interview about TR and Taft (6:00) playlists/0q87gr/the-colbert-report highlights/s4ds82