Progressive Legislation Chapter 18 section 2

Expanded Role of Government Opposed gov’t control of business except companies who supplied essentials Opposed gov’t control of business except companies who supplied essentials In favor of increased gov’t responsibility for the well-being of its citizens In favor of increased gov’t responsibility for the well-being of its citizens Social Welfare Programs: Social Welfare Programs: –Designed to ensure a minimum standard of living  Unemployment, health insurance, social security

Municipal Reforms Many early reforms were made at the municipal (city) level Many early reforms were made at the municipal (city) level Opposed the power & influence of political bosses who were often corrupt Opposed the power & influence of political bosses who were often corrupt –Wanted important jobs in city gov’t to be merit based, not appointed Cities began to take control of public utilities – water, gas, electricity Cities began to take control of public utilities – water, gas, electricity

Council-Manager New form of city government New form of city government City council is elected by citizens City council is elected by citizens A mayor is chosen from the council A mayor is chosen from the council A professional city manager is hired to oversee services provided by the city A professional city manager is hired to oversee services provided by the city Westerville runs this way! Westerville runs this way!

Power for Voters! OLD WAYS OLD WAYS –Party leaders chose candidates for state & local office –State legis. Chose U.S. Senators –Only members of state legis. Can introduce bills NEW WAYS NEW WAYS –Direct Primaries: voters choose them! –17 th Amendment: elected by citizens! –Initiative: voters can put bill before the legis. By collecting signatures on a petition

Power to Voters! OLD WAYS OLD WAYS –Only the legis. Can pass laws –Only courts or legis. Can remove corrupt officials NEW WAYS NEW WAYS –Referendum: citizens can approve or reject laws by voting directly –Recall: voters can remove elected officials from office before the next election

Reforms in the Workplace Tried to create reforms to limit workplace hazards Tried to create reforms to limit workplace hazards Some states created accident insurance programs (workman’s compensation) Some states created accident insurance programs (workman’s compensation) Met with legal opposition from owners: Met with legal opposition from owners: –Violation of their private property rights –Laws had to be shown to preserve worker’s safety

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt Finally used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to attack a monopoly! Finally used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to attack a monopoly! Roosevelt filed 42 anti-trust suits Roosevelt filed 42 anti-trust suits –Standard Oil –Beef Trust –American Tobacco Believed gov’t should regulate business Believed gov’t should regulate business

Teddy Roosevelt Interstate Commerce Commission becomes 1 st federal regulatory agency Interstate Commerce Commission becomes 1 st federal regulatory agency Pure Food & Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act 1906 Pure Food & Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act 1906 –Rating system for meat, accurate labeling of products, strict sanitary conditions Began the conservation of America’s natural resources & beauty Began the conservation of America’s natural resources & beauty –1 st National Park: Yellowstone

New Amendments 16 th : Congress could collect a federal income tax 16 th : Congress could collect a federal income tax 17 th : Direct election of senators 17 th : Direct election of senators 18 th : Prohibition – ban on the sale, making, consumption of alcohol 18 th : Prohibition – ban on the sale, making, consumption of alcohol 19 th : Women’s suffrage (right to vote) 19 th : Women’s suffrage (right to vote)

Taft’s Policies Protective Tariff Protective Tariff Angered conservationists Angered conservationists –Appointed a Sec. of the Interior who opposed protection of natural resources Unable to win the favor of “old guard” republicans Unable to win the favor of “old guard” republicans –Able to block Taft’s legislative efforts

Wilson’s Policies Tariff reduction Tariff reduction –From 40% to 25% on average Creation of new gov’t agencies Creation of new gov’t agencies –Federal Trade Commission (FTC) –Federal Reserve System (The Fed) Appoints Brandeis to the Supreme Court Appoints Brandeis to the Supreme Court –1 st Jewish Supreme Court Justice Sought laws limiting child labor Sought laws limiting child labor

Shared Policy Goals Trust busting Trust busting Preservation of public land Preservation of public land Supported the 16 th Amendment Supported the 16 th Amendment –Allowed Congress to collect income tax