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

WHO WERE THE PROGRESSIVES? Not a single voice; picture a “choir” of singers, each with their own part to sing Progressive politicians will be both Republicans and Democrats – their actions make them “Progressive” 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.

CONCERNS AND BELIEFS OF PROGRESSIVES Government should create orderly and stable society Government has the power to do good Laissez-faire is obsolete Trusts & monopolies: too much influence Growth of poverty: unfair Politics are undemocratic: voters need more power, more say Increase public’s role in gov’t = increase democracy leads to less corruption More voting Politics run by an elite, taking for themselves: corrupt Must end party boss system Consumers need protection (food, medications)

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

Jane Addams – Twenty Years at Hull House 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

Jacob Riis – How the Other Half Lives Focuses on the poverty and living conditions of working class poor in NYC Uses camera to take pictures of conditions and then interviews those in the pic Their stories are the basis for the book Public is outraged and some are finally exposed and aware of how some were living – can no longer be ignored Works with Addams for increased public spaces (parks and playgrounds) in cities

Frank Norris – The Octopus It is a fiction novel Centered on the exploitation of the railroad industry over wheat producers in California Focuses on the control for “forces” or businesses on individuals

Ida Tarbell – The History of Standard Oil Company Father was put out of business by Standard Oil Starts as a series of articles in McClure’s Magazine Book discusses the less then honest and possible illegal strategies used by Rockefeller when operating the company Specifically illegal rigging of railroad prices Credited with pressuring the gov’t to break up Standard Oil using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Anger at Trusts Norris and Tarbell’s books begin to cause public outrage against large trusts Many unions and groups will file lawsuits against trusts: Northern Securities v. U.S. (1904) Standard Oil v. U.S. (1911)

Upton Sinclair – The Jungle Book focused on immigrant workers in Chicago’s meatpacking plants Public is outraged working conditions, but more disgusted by the food production "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach." Leads to consumer protection laws Pres. T. Roosevelt orders investigation into meatpacking plants Meat Inspection Act Gov’t can inspect and test food Pure Food and Drug Act Ingredient labels

Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of Cities Focuses on corruption within America’s cities Starts as a series or articles in McClure’s Magazine on St. Louis’s gov’t Theme is that big business corrupts politicians and the average businessman and citizen are ignored Leads to municipal reforms and budget oversight

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

Government Reforms

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

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

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

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.

Effects of the Progressive Era Effects on Politics Political parties became less important Voter participation declines Interest groups, trade and labor organizations become more powerful Changes in Cities New building codes Govt took control over water, gas and electricity More affordable for people Sanitation Transportation