The Progressive Movement Origins & Political Reform

The Progressive Movement Time period that brought about significant political, social, and economic changes from 1900 to WWI (1918). Rapid industrialization, immigration, and urbanization in the late 1800s led to national growth and prosperity. Also caused poverty, unemployment, horrible working conditions, political corruption, and “immoral” actions Many Progressives believed that political action and reform, not private charities, were the methods to bring about progress in society. The people in charge in cities were not well equipped to handle outer city problems, in order to reform the ills of society, reform must go national. Concept: Every aspect of society was about promoting the public interest.

Government’s Role The way to bring about reform was from government action Regulation and standards couldn’t control city-by-city because the companies that needed reform were national Local  State  National The law should be used to protect the people not the companies Basic Beliefs Government: should be more accountable to its citizens should lessen the power & influence of wealthy should be given more power so it can be more active in improving the lives of its citizens should become more efficient & less corrupt so they can handle new responsibilities

Knowledge is Power Muckrakers: journalists who wrote about the corrupt side of business and public life in mass circulation magazines and newspapers. Now both citizens and politicians knew about the problems and they could no longer be ignored, action must be taken. Writers: McClures Magazine: published many articles: “The room shrieks and blares and bellows. Clouds of dust blur the air…Down in the midst of it sit these tiny urchins, where they earn 55 cents a day each. They breathe this atmosphere until their lungs grow heavy and sick with it.” –In the Depths of a Coal Mine, Stephen Crane Ida Tarbell: investigated Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Lincoln Steffens: told how corrupt city politicians were Upton Sinclair: The Jungle, told of the problems in the meat packing industry. Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives, photos of tenement living

Progressive Era Presidents Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) Square Deal to the American people. Champion of reform and a “trustbuster”. Went after Standard Oil & other companies Helped settle the coal strike. Regulated railroads and meatpackers Conservationist William Howard Taft (1909-1913) Trustbuster, broke up over 90 businesses Reformers felt betrayed when he raised tariffs & fired lead conservationist Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) Known for WWI, but his program for change, New Freedom, advocated for lower tariffs, regulation of big business, and reform banking

Political Reform: Local Local Reform: Problems from corrupt political machine system caused issues when problems occurred. Natural disasters in Texas & Ohio prompted the need for city council to fix and prevent issues. City Mayors: Hazen Pingree of Detroit (1890-1897): fairer tax structure, lower fares for public transportation, rooted out corruption, work relief for unemployed. City workers built schools, parks, and municipal lighting plant. Tom Johnson of Cleveland, OH (1901-1909): 1 of 19 socialist mayors. Dismissed corrupt & greedy private owners of utilities-gas, water, and transit lines. Wanted citizens more involved in city government.

Political Reform: State Level Reforming Elections: Initiative: A bill originated by the people rather than lawmakers to be put on the ballot to be voted on Referendum: voters, instead of the legislature, accepted or rejected the initiative. The referendum is the vote on the initiative. Recall: enabled voters to remove public officials from elected positions by forcing them to face another election before the end of their term if enough voters asked for it. Direct Primary: enabled voters, instead of political machines, to choose candidates for public office through a special popular election. Direct Election of Senators: 17th Amendment: 1913, provides for the election of U.S. Senators by the people rather than by state legislatures. Made senators more responsive to the public Took power away from party bosses & wealthy corporations