“The Progressive Era” United States History

Progressive Movement Reaction to problems created during the Gilded Age. Goals of Progressives: 1) Return control of the government to the people 2) Restore economic opportunities 3) Correct injustices in American life. Progressives reformers often lived in cities & had a college education.

The “Muckrakers” Journalists who sought to expose political corruption, poor working conditions, or other problems in American society. Ida Tarbell Muckraker who exposed John Rockefeller’s ruthless tactics to build his oil monopoly in The History of the Standard Oil Company.

Lincoln Steffens Muckraker who wrote The Shame of the Cities. Exposed corrupt city politicians and unfair businesses practices. Upton Sinclair Muckraker who wrote the bestseller, The Jungle. Exposed horrible & unsanitary conditions of meatpacking industry. Jacob Riis – photographer & author of 1890 book, How the Other Half Lives. Brought attention & demand for reform in city slums.

Reform in Government Progressives wanted to give common people a greater voice and rid government of corruption. Initiative Allowed citizens to initiate, or propose, a bill by collecting the required number of signatures from voters.

Reform in Government Referendum Progressives wanted voters to have a direct say in the lawmaking process. In a referendum, people could vote to approve or reject a proposed law. Recall Allowed voters to remove elected officials from office before their terms were complete. Voters sign a petition for a recall, then a special election takes place to vote a politician out of office.

Reform in Government Direct Election of Senators Until 1913, state legislatures elected senators to represent the states in U.S. Congress. Progressives complained that special interests could buy votes by bribing legislators. 17 th amendment (1913) - required the direct election of U.S. Senators in all states.

Social & Moral Reform Women’s Suffrage (right to vote) President Woodrow Wilson did not support female suffrage. Instead, states were pressured to grant women suffrage (pickets, parades, boycotts) Famous suffragettes included Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 19 th amendment - ratified in 1920 gave all women right to vote.

Health & Environmental Reform Meat Inspection Act (1906) President Theodore Roosevelt read The Jungle. Ordered a federal investigation into meat industry. Meat Inspection Act set sanitation standards for meat industry. Pure Food & Drug Act (1906) Roosevelt & Congress to passed Pure Food & Drug Act. Banned harmful additives in foods and false advertisements for drugs. Laws led to creation of the Food and Drug Administration & improved food safety in America.

Economic Reform Income Tax Amendment President William Taft & Progressives wanted to even out the disparities of wealth in American society & force rich to pay fair share. 16 th Amendment (1913) – federal graduated income tax (tax rate rises as income increases).

Economic Reform “Trust-busting” Roosevelt & Taft went after large monopolies by filing nearly 150 anti-trust lawsuits under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Dismantled Standard Oil Company & others. Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) President Woodrow Wilson & Progressives strengthened Sherman Antitrust Act to allow government to regulate large companies & dismantle monopolies.

Economic Reform Railroad Regulation Interstate Commerce Act (1887) - required that railroad rates be "reasonable and just“ & that railroads publicize shipping rates. Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) agency charged with monitoring railroads to ensure that they complied with the new regulations.

Impact of Progressive Era Progressive Era reforms helped to “level the playing field” between the rich and poor & made America more fair, honest, efficient. Progressive energy eventually faded due to World War I and economic boom of 1920s.