THE PROGRESSIVE ERA AMERICA SEEKS REFORMS IN THE EARLY 20 TH CENTURY

The Progressive Movement The Progressive Movement in America is defined as: –Period in American history between 1890 to 1920 with the main goal of eliminating corruption in society and removing the wealth “bosses” from their positions of power.

Main Goals of Progressivism Protect Social Welfare Promote Moral Improvement Create Economic Reform Increase Government Efficiency

As the number of child workers rose, Progressives worked to end child labor –Children were more prone to accidents –Nearly every state limited or banned child labor by Goal 1 – Protecting Social Welfare The Elimination of Child Labor

Goal 2 – Moral Development Some Progressives felt that societies problems were not caused by business, but rather by the immoral choices people made. In 1919, Progressives passed a Constitutional Amendment known as prohibition. –The 18 th Amendment (1919) banned the sale of alcohol in the United States. –Between 1919 and 1933, drinking or selling alcohol was illegal and a person could be arrested for it.

Goal 3 – Create Economic Reform Journalists also became Muckrakers. –Muckrakers were journalists who wrote stories to try and expose corruption in big business. –They were the original “investigative journalists.” For example, –Jacob Riis exposed the hardships of living in tenement housing through photos and his writings –Upton Sinclair wrote a book called “The Jungle” revealing the poor sanitation in the Meat Packing Industry, resulting in the passing of laws for the inspection of factories.

Many efforts were made to try and give local government more powerful and responsive to the citizens. –Referendum the ability of the people to put legislation on the ballot for consideration on Election Day to be voted on Goal 4 – Increasing Government Efficiency

Before 1913, each state’s legislature had chosen its own U.S. Senators. –To force senators to be more responsive to the public, progressives pushed for the popular election of senators –As a result, Congress passed the 17 th Amendment (1913) –Now, if people were unhappy with a Senator, they could simply elect a different candidate. Goal 4 – Increasing Government Efficiency The Direct Election of Senators

Discussion Question Of the 4 major goals of the Progressive movement, which one do you think is the most important to achieve and why?

Progressives and Women Prior to the Civil War, women were not a significant part of the workforce. –Women were expected to stay home and take care of the home and family. During the Industrialization Era, women became a very visible part of the American workforce. Rosie the Riveter

Women in 1870 Before the turn-of-the-century, women were not formally educated and contributed to the economic welfare of their families by doing domestic work. Only about 1 in 20 women were employed. –Altogether, 75% of women employed in 1870 were employed as servants

Opportunities for women increased especially in the cities because of the increased need for labor. –By 1900, one out of five women worked outside of the house. –A majority of women worked garment trade making clothing. –Women also worked secretaries, at department stores, and as teachers. Women in the Industrialization Era

Women and Voting During the Progressive Era, women began to call for the right to vote. The Women’s movement developed a three step strategy to gain the right to vote. –1. Convince individual states to allow women to vote (very successful on the West Coast) –2. Sue states that restrict women’s voting in the Supreme Court citing the 14 th Amendment. –3. Conduct a national campaign for a Constitutional Amendment.

Discussion Question In looking at the map, describe why you think the Women’s Movement may have been more successful on the West Coast than on the East Coast.

In 1898, Teddy Roosevelt became a national hero by advocating war with Spain in –At the time, he was the Secretary of the Navy for President McKinley. –When the US declared war, Roosevelt resigned to lead a cavalry brigade called the Rough Riders in Cuba during the Spanish America War. –When he returned, he was elected the Governor of New York and eventually, he was elected McKinley’s vice president in Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

Teddy Roosevelt ugh-rider/videos#roosevelt- fights-in-spanish-american-war

Teddy Roosevelt In 1901, President McKinley was assassinated while giving a speech. –Teddy Roosevelt became the 26 th President of the US. –Roosevelt was the youngest president ever at age 42. McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in Buffalo in September of 1901

The Modern President He quickly established himself and became known as the first modern president. –He used the power of the media to get his message to the people directly. As president, he focused on: –Breaking up large corporations –Settling labor disputes –Reducing corruption in the Government –Protecting the Environment

Trustbusting By 1900, Trusts controlled 80% of U.S. industries –Trusts were small groups of people who controlled stocks in companies to avoid monopoly laws. Roosevelt filed 44 antitrust lawsuits in court to break up these groups and prevent them from influencing companies. Roosevelt broke up the companies owned by JP Morgan and John D. Rockefeller. PLAY Click here for the lamest song you will ever hear that is totally awesome.

1902 Coal Strike In 1902, 140,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike for increased wages, a 9-hour work day, and the right to unionize –Mine owners refused to bargain with the workers. –Roosevelt called in both sides and settled the dispute peacefully. From then on, when a strike threatened public welfare, the federal government was expected to step in and help.

Pure Food and Drug Act Muckraker Upton Sinclair published a book entitled “The Jungle” about the meat packing industry. In response to unregulated claims and unhealthy 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 –This eventually leads to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. The Pure Food and Drug Act took medicines with cocaine and other harmful ingredients off the market

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 –He set aside 148 Million Acres of property as Forest Reserves that couldn’t be touched by industry. –He set aside land for 50 wildlife sanctuaries. –He established the first National Parks in America.

The Progressive Movement after Roosevelt In 1908, Roosevelt stepped down and selected William Howard Taft to be the next president. –With Roosevelt’s support, Taft easily won the election and became president. Unfortunately, Roosevelt was unhappy with Taft and in 1912, he decided to run again.

The Election of 1912 In 1912, Both Taft and Roosevelt were running as Republicans for President. –The Republicans selected Taft to run again. Roosevelt in response formed his own political party, The Bull Moose Party, and ran again. The third candidate running was democrat Woodrow Wilson.

President Woodrow Wilson As America’s newly elected president, Wilson moved to enact his program, the “New Freedom” He planned his attack on what he called the triple wall of privilege: –Trusts –Taxes –High finance (big business). Wilson continued the Progressive movement. W. Wilson U.S. President

The Formation of the FTC In response to big business, Wilson formed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) –The FTC was a government agency to protect consumers from unfair business practices and fraud.

The Federal Income Tax Wilson lowered tariffs to help businesses expand. Unfortunately, that lowered the amount of money the Government made. In 1913, Congress passed the 16 th Amendment. –Authorized the government to automatically deduct income taxes from the pay of workers.

Women’s Suffrage The Progressive Movement ended in 1920 with the passing of the 19 th Amendment. –Through organization, protests, and World War I, women finally gained the right to vote in 1920 The 19 th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920

Limits of the Progressive Movement Many advancements were made during the Progressive Movement. –Income taxes stabilized government income (16 th ) –Senators elected directly by the people (17 th ) –Alcohol use and sales are abolished (18 th ) –Women gained the right to vote (19 th ) Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson all ignored equality for African Americans. –By 1920, membership in the KKK numbered 4.5 million.