FROM ROOSEVELT TO WILSON IN THE AGE OF PROGRESSIVISM America: Past and Present Chapter 23

The Spirit of Progressivism n Progressivism not a coherent movement n Shared values – Sense of evangelical Protestant duty – Faith in the benefits of science – Commitment to improve all aspects of American life

The Rise of the Professions n Professions bulwarks of Progressivism – Law – Medicine – Business – Education – Social work n Professionalism strengthened through entrance exams, national associations

The Social-Justice Movement n Reformers forsake individualized reform to address larger structural problems n Apply scientific methods to social reform

The Purity Crusade n Crusade against vice n membership in Women's Christian Temperance Union hits 250,000 n states prohibit alcohol n th Amendment prohibits alcohol

Woman Suffrage, Woman's Rights n Women fill Progressive ranks – National Conference of Social Work – General Federation of Women's Clubs n National American Woman Suffrage Association formed n Nineteenth Amendment passed n Suffrage seen as empowering women to benefit the disadvantaged

A Ferment of Ideas: Challenging the Status Quo n Progressives, pragmatists, measure value of ideas by actions they inspire n Reject social Darwinism n John Dewey--education should stress personal growth, free inquiry, creativity n Thorstein Veblen and Richard Ely advance Pragmatic economic theory

A Ferment of Ideas: Socialism n Socialist party formed n Unites intellectuals, factory workers, tenant farmers, miners, lumberjacks n Promises Progressive reform rather than overthrow of capitalism n Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debs polls over 1 million votes

Reform in the Cities and States n Progressives take control of city halls to solve social problems n Reform government – Reorganize for efficiency, effectiveness – New agencies address particular social ills – Posts staffed with experts n Government power extended at all levels

Interest Groups and the Decline of Popular Politics n Decline in voter participation –77% from –65% from –52% in the 1920s –Remains near 52% through 20 th century n Interest groups get favorable legislation through lobbying

Voter Participation in Presidential Elections,

Reform in the Cities n Urban reform leagues form professional, nonpolitical civil service n Appointed commissioners replace elected officials in many cities n City manager idea spreads n Reform mayors – Tom Johnson of Cleveland – "Golden Rule" Jones of Toledo

Action in the States n State regulatory commissions created to investigate economic life n Initiative, referendum, and recall created n th Amendment provides for direct election of U.S. senators

Action in the States: Reform Governors n Robert La Follette of Wisconsin – “Wisconsin Idea” taps experts in higher education for help in sweeping reforms n Other Progressive governors – Joseph Folk of Missouri – Hiram Johnson of California – Charles Evans Hughes of New York – Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey

The Republican Roosevelt n Often defies convention n Brings an exuberance to the presidency n Surrounds himself with able associates

Busting the Trusts n wave of trust-busting led by suit against Northern Securities Company n Northern Securities dissolved n Roosevelt reputed a "trust-buster" n Comparatively few antitrust cases under Roosevelt

"Square Deal" in the Coalfields n United Mine Workers strike in Pennsylvania threatens U.S. economy n U.M.W., companies to White House n Roosevelt wins company concessions by threatening military seizure of mines n Roosevelt acts as broker of interests

Roosevelt Progressivism at Its Height n 1904—A four-way election –Republican—Theodore Roosevelt –Democrat—Alton B. Parker –Socialist—Eugene V. Debs –Prohibition—Silas C. Swallow n Roosevelt wins 57% of popular vote, 336 electoral votes

Regulating the Railroads n Elkins Act prohibits railroad rebates, strengthens Interstate Commerce Commission n Widespread popular demand for further railroad regulation after Roosevelt’s reelection n Hepburn Act further strengthens Interstate Commerce Commission –Membership from five to seven –May fix reasonable maximum rates –Jurisdiction broadened to include oil pipeline, express, sleeping car companies

Cleaning Up Food and Drugs n Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (1906) prompts federal investigation of meatpacking industry n Meat Inspection Act –Sets rules for sanitary meatpacking –Requires government inspection of meat products n Samuel Hopkins Adams exposes dangers of patent medicines n Pure Food and Drug Act –Requires manufacturers to list certain ingredients –Bans manufacture and sale of adulterated drugs

Conserving the Land n First comprehensive national conservation policy –Roosevelt works with Gifford Pinchot, chief of Forest Service –Policy defines “conservation” as wise use of natural resources n Quadruples acreage under federal protection

Agitating for Further Reform n Roosevelt’s challenge –Attacks “malefactors of great wealth” –Criticizes conservatism of federal courts –Agitates for pro-labor legislation n Popular response –Business leaders blame for financial panic –Overwhelming majority support

The Ordeal of William Howard Taft n Taft able administrator, poor president n Conservative Republicans resurge n Taft loses support of Progressives

Party Insurgency n Tariff splits Republicans – Progressives: high tariff favors trusts – Conservatives: high tariff protects business n 1909 Payne-Aldrich Act provokes Progressives to break with Taft

The Ballinger-Pinchot Affair n Gifford Pinchot leading conservationist, Roosevelt appointee n Pinchot accuses Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger of selling public lands to friends n Taft fires Pinchot n Progressives antagonized

Taft Alienates the Progressives, n Taft successfully pushes Mann- Elkins Act to strengthen ICC –Empowers ICC to fix railroad rates –Progressive Republicans attack Taft’s plan of a Commerce Court to hear ICC appeals –Progressives obstruct Taft’s negotiations n Taft attacks Progressive Republicans, Democrats gain Congress

Taft Alienates the Progressives, n Legislation protecting laborers n Sixteenth Amendment creates income tax n Taft a greater trustbuster than Roosevelt n Taft, Roosevelt attack one another publicly n Taft re-nominated by Republicans, little chance for victory

Differing Philosophies in the Election of 1912 n Roosevelt--Progressive ("Bull Moose") – “New Nationalism” – Federal regulation of economy – Wasteful competition replaced by efficiency n Woodrow Wilson--Democrat – "New Freedom" for individual – Restrain big business, government n Democrats win White House, Congress

Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom n Woodrow Wilson former president of Princeton, governor of New Jersey n Progressive, intellectual, inspiring orator n One of America's most effective presidents

The New Freedom in Action n Underwood Tariff cuts duties n Federal Reserve Act reforms banks, establishes stable currency n Clayton Antitrust Act outlaws unfair trade practices, protects unions n Federal Trade Commission

New Freedom in Action: Retreating from Reform n November, Wilson announces the "New Freedom" has been achieved n Reasons for retreat – Distracted by the outbreak of war in Europe – Needs conservative Southern support – Republicans seem to gain by attacking his programs

Wilson Moves Toward the New Nationalism n Presidential election n Wilson renews reform in reelection bid – Federal Farm Loan Act – Intervenes in strikes on behalf of workers – Attempts to ban child labor – Increases income taxes on the rich – Supports women’s suffrage n Program wins Wilson a close election

The Close of the Progressive Era n Reform of government at all levels n Intelligent planning of reform n World War I ends Progressive optimism