INTRO TO GILDED AGE & PROGRESSIVE ERA Populism to ISAW

Populist Party Represented Farmers, common people and Industrial workers 1896 their candidate was William Jennings Bryan They favored coinage of silver, Government regulation of Railroads and Workers Rights

William Jennings Bryan Democrat, Strongly Christian, reflected traditional farmer values Pro-silver, farmers, and westerners Becomes the Democratic Nominee for the Election of 1896 Populists support him Later will defend the teaching of Creation in the Scopes Trial, Tennessee vs. Evolution in schools.

Election of 1896 The Republicans nominated William McKinley from Ohio (good war record, congressional track record, well-liked) At the democratic convention in Chicago the party was in disarray and could not find a good candidate William Jennings Bryan took the stage and delivered his “Cross of Gold” speech and immediately gained the nomination He was a silverite from Nebraska The democrats demanded unlimited coinage of silver at a ratio of 16-1

Key Progressive Amendments 16th 17th 18th 19th I S A W Congress can tax Income Direct election of Senators by state voters Prohibited the manufacture and sale of Alcohol Women earn the right to vote

Impact of Third Parties Progressive Party- founded on the ideals of reform 1912 Election- Theodore Roosevelt runs as a “third party” candidate (a political party outside the two party system) Called the “Progressive Party” or “Bull Moose Party” Caused a Republican split between Roosevelt and Taft Democrat Woodrow Wilson wins election

Economic Issues of Progressive ERA Federal Reserve Act of 1913- US divided into 12 regions, each with a Federal Reserve Bank Private banks remain independent, but operate under the Federal Reserve System rules “The Fed” loans money to banks if they run short of funds Makes the US financial system more stable

TEDDY ROOSEVELT One of the 3 progressive Presidents, he created the reform “Square Deal “and foreign policy of “Big Stick” Diplomacy”. He passed ”Pure Food & Drug and Meat Inspection Acts of 1906” and also supported women having the right to vote. He also was a conservationist and A leader of the “Rough Riders” during the 1898 Spanish-American War.

Teddy Roosevelt ……… “Trustbusting” Monopolies National Parks Act Conservationist Social Equality?

WILLIAM TAFT One of the 3 progressive Presidents. He created the “Dollar Diplomacy”. He signed the Payne – Aldrich Bill which raised tariffs Controversy over the Baller-Pinchot Dilemna

WOODROW WILSON One of the 3 progressive Presidents and the creator of the “Moral Diplomacy”. He was President during WW1 in which he tried to use Neutrality to avoid. He created the reform “New Freedom” to try and eliminate all trusts. Approved the Federal Reserve Act.

Impact of the Reform Leaders Upton Sinclair- wrote “The Jungle” detailing unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants. Americans learn of the horrendous and unsafe ways food was produced and stored. Will lead to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act- Department of Agriculture must inspect packaged meat Pure Food and Drug Act- Testing drugs before they went on the market Susan B. Anthony- Supporter of Women gaining the right to vote. Proposed an amendment in 1878 that would eventually become the 19th Amendment in 1920. Helped organize the first Women’s Rights Conference the Seneca Falls Convention in New York Ida B. Wells- Early supporter of Civil Rights, documented and spoke out against lynching in the US Active in the push for women’s rights and suffrage Co-founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) W.E.B. DuBois- Co-founder of the NAACP. Thought African-Americans should protest unfair treatment and fight for equality