America Seeks Reforms in the Early 20th Century The Progressive Era America Seeks Reforms in the Early 20th Century

Origins of Progressivism As America entered the 20th century, middle class reformers addressed the problems of the Gilded Age, including: Economic inequities Environmental issues Social welfare Working conditions Rights for women and children

Women Lead Reform Women reformers were drawn to “maternal” issues: Women’s Suffrage Child Labor Prostitution

Women Lead Reform Settlement House Movement Established in poor neighborhoods Offered educational & community help to immigrants Jane Addams – Hull House

Women Promote Moral Reforms Some reformers felt that the answer to society’s problems was personal behavior. They proposed such reforms as prohibition. In 1919, Congress adopted the 18th Amendment which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States

Women in the Work Force Opportunities for women increased especially in the cities. By 1900, 1 out of 5 women worked. The garment industry was popular as were office work, retail, and education.

Regulating Factories Triangle Shirtwaist Co. Muller v. Oregon (1908) 1911 146 workers die in fire New York passed laws regulating work hours & conditions Muller v. Oregon (1908) Allowed for special protection for women in the workplace

Election Reform Citizens fought for and secured such measures as secret ballots referendums recalls initiatives

Direct Election Of Senators Before 1913, each state’s legislature had chosen U.S. senators. Progressives pushed for the popular election of senators. Congress passed the 17th Amendment in 1913.

Muckrakers Criticize Big Business Investigative journalists, known as “Muckrakers,” exposed corruption in business. Examples: Ida Tarbell exposed Standard Oil Company’s cut-throat methods of eliminating competition. Jacob Riis

Teddy Roosevelt When President William McKinley was assassinated six months into his second term, Theodore Roosevelt became the nation’s 26th president McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in Buffalo in September of 1901

Roosevelt’s Presidential Firsts to fly in an airplane to be submerged in a submarine to own a car to have a telephone in his home to travel outside the borders of the US while still in office. TR took the battleship USS Louisiana to Panama in 1906. to entertain an African-American in the White House, inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner to win the first AMERICAN as well as first President to win a Nobel Prize in ANY of the six categories - he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.

Roosevelt’s Square Deal The 3 C’s Control of Corporations Consumer Protection Conservation of Natural Resources

Trust-Busting By 1900, trusts controlled 80% of U.S. industries. Roosevelt filed 44 antitrust suits under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act Wanted to prove that government, not business, ruled the country

Railroad Regulation Passed laws to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Commission: Elkins Act – ICC had greater authority to stop railroads from granting rebates to big business Hepburn Act – ICC was allowed to fix “just and reasonable” railroad rates for railroads

“The Jungle” Leads to Food Regulation After reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, Roosevelt pushed for passage of the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. The act mandated cleaner conditions for meatpacking plants.

Pure Food and Drug Act In response to unsubstantiated claims and unwholesome products, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The Act halted the sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling. Created the Food & Drug Administration

Roosevelt and the Environment Before Roosevelt’s presidency, the federal government paid very little attention to the nation’s natural resources. Roosevelt made conservation a primary concern of his administration.

Roosevelt’s Environmental Accomplishments Roosevelt set aside 148 million acres of forest reserves, 1.5 million acres of water-power sites, 50 wildlife sanctuaries, and several national parks.

Progressivism under President Taft Roosevelt chose not to run again in 1908. He “hand-picked” Taft to continue his programs. Republican William Howard Taft easily defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 presidential election. Among his accomplishments, Taft “busted” 90 trusts during his four years in office – more than Theodore Roosevelt during his eight years in office. Taft, right, was Roosevelt’s War Secretary

Progressivism under Taft Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 – gave the ICC the power to oversee telephone & telegraph companies. 16th Amendment – authorized the US government to collect an income tax (another throw back to the Populists!) Payne-Aldrich Tariff – Taft angered Progressives by signing this tariff into law

Taft Loses Power Taft was not popular with the American public or reform-minded Republicans. He called the Presidency, the “lonesomest” job in the world.”