The Progressive Movement 1890-1920 U.S. History

Origins of Progressivism The attempt to reform society in a variety of areas in order to correct the injustices in American life with the assistance of government personnel by the creation of laws.

4 Main Goals of Progressivism Four Goals Protect Social Welfare Provide opportunities for underprivileged people Salvation Army, YMCA, Florence Kelley Promote Moral Improvement The attempt to improve personal behavior Prohibition The banning of alcoholic beverages

4 Goals Continued Create Economic Reform Foster Efficiency Attempt to create a more competitive market Economic reformers felt big businesses received favorable treatment from government officials Foster Efficiency Make society and the workplace more efficient Scientific management helped improved the quickness of a task being perform (i.e. the assembly line)

Reforming Elections Initiative Referendum Recall 17th Amendment A bill originated by the people by petition Referendum Votes on the initiative Recall Gives voters the right to remove public officials if enough voters ask for it. 17th Amendment Before this, each State’s legislature chose the Senators This Amendment made it so the people decide

Women Rights

Women in the Work Force Women worked in industry, farming, and maid jobs. The dangerous conditions and low wages lead women to start to push for reform in the work place. Many women joined moral reform movements as well.

Reform for Women One of the biggest fights for Women rights was the right to vote, also known as suffrage. Susan B. Anthony was a leading proponent of Women's Rights. Education for Women Only certain colleges let women in at first. This allowed women to find their own jobs rather than rely on marriage, or having to work at blue collar jobs

3 Part Strategy for Suffrage Try to convince state legislatures to grant women the right to vote. Test out the 14th Amendment by going out to vote (“Citizen”) Pushed for a national constitutional amendment to grant women the right to vote. Eventually the 19th amendment passes and it grants women the right to vote.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Role in the Progressive Era

Roosevelt’s Rise Teddy Roosevelt enters the Presidency after McKinley is assassinated. Bully Pulpit Roosevelt's use of the presidency to influence the media and shape legislation Square Deal A program set up to help out middle class citizens by controlling corporations, and at the same time protecting against extreme organized labor.

Teddy’s use of Federal Power Breaking up Trust Roosevelt started to file law suits under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Coal Strike Forced the labor and owners to make a deal so that coal reserves would not run out Railroad Regulation The government stopped rebates and other forms of bribery

Health and Environment Meat Inspection Act Required strict cleanliness in meatpacking plants and the right to investigate the meat Pure Food and Drug Act Could not sell contaminated food Called for accurate food labels

Health and Environment Continued Forests were being destroyed, rivers were being polluted poising streams and creating unhealthy living conditions Teddy Roosevelt helped start a conservation movement to help preserve the environment, while still allowing some part of the land to be used for the common good

William Howard Taft and Progressivism

Taft Not So Progressive Taft thought the government should be less involved in business and the economy. Went against progressive movements and consolidated government power Less conservative with land. He permitted the sale of reserved lands to business interests.

Republic Party Splits Two sides Progressives who sought change vs. conservatives who did not Progressive broke apart and started their own party. ‘The Bull Moose Party’ Lead by Teddy Roosevelt

TAFT vs. Roosevelt Presidential power Taft wins republican nominee Believed that powers had to stay within what the constitution said and also believed anything outside of that was dangerous. Roosevelt Felt he was a steward of the people and as President had to do what was necessary for the people even if it meant acting outside the lines of the constitution Taft wins republican nominee

Democrats Win 1912 Election Lead by Woodrow Wilson The campaign turned ugly as candidates started to publically state negative things about their opponents With the republicans fighting against another, Wilson wins the election.

Woodrow Wilson’s Role in Progressivism

Wilson against the TRUSTS “Without the watchful resolute interference of the government, there can be no fair play between individuals and such powerful institutions as the trusts. Freedom today is something more than being let alone.” -Woodrow Wilson

Antitrust Legislations Clayton Antitrust Act Prohibited corporations from obtaining stock from other corporations if it would lead to a monopoly. Federal Trade Commission Had the power to investigate possible violations in an attempt to put an end to unfair business practice.

A New Tax System Federal Income Tax Created because tariffs were cut Passage of the 16th amendment allowed the government to tax people’s income Government realized they were generating more revenue from this than they were from tariffs.

Limits of Progressivism Civil Rights Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson put civil rights issues for African Americans low on the priority list. Wilson lies Although during the campaign he promised to speak out against lynching and the promotion of equal treatment, segregation actually increased during Wilson’s era as president

Limits continued Wilson appointed segregationists in charge of many federal agencies which furthered America from resolving any racial tensions.

Problems African-Americans Faced Racism, segregation in public places, prohibited from political process, and little access to quality health care, education, and housing Eventually the reporting of segregation acts against African-Americans lead to a national initiative

Important Reformers Booker T Washington W.E.B. Du Bois Did not want to fight, instead wanted to use education and knowledge to work with white Americans W.E.B. Du Bois Disagreed with Washington and felt African-Americans should consistently fight for equality

Organizations National Association of Colored Women National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Urban League These organizations helped lead to stronger African-American communities Quality health care, housing and educational services