Progressive Reforms Roosevelt and Wilson

Taking it to the People T.R. utilized the Bully Pulpit Spoke directly to the Am. Public Influenced legislation w/public support

T.R. Reinvented the Presidency Principal policy maker Drafted, guided, and made policy Mastery of administration Conscious, astute management of the press Crafted his image Strategically leaked stories Froze out others Invented idea of the first family

“I hold that while man exists it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” - Abraham Lincoln

The First Modern President Evolving role: Act as steward of the people Believed in using public power to promote the general welfare Pres. Had responsibility to public welfare

Gov’t as a Weapon of Reform Gov’t grew in scope and in shape Local: City councils State: Direction election of senators National: New Departments

New Nationalism Roosevelt: gov’t must regulate business Individualism and old- fashioned democracy had failed Protect welfare of public Good vs. Bad Trusts

Domestic Agenda Roosevelt promised Americans a “Square Deal” Giving Americans a fair shake by restoring opportunity Intended a society where businesses profited by fair competition -- not at the expense of the average American. Pure Food and Drug Act

Northern Securities Case, 1901 First example of anti-trust action Railroad Co. in N. Pacific Applied Sherman Anti- Trust Act, Co. broken up J.P. Morgan, “If we have done anything wrong, send your man to my man and they can fix it up.”

Coal Strike of 1902 Roosevelt threatened gov’t intervention, forced owners to negotiate Reversed previous precedent

“Social advance depends as much upon the process through which it is secured as upon the result itself” - Jane Addams

“America’s future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach and how we live.” - Jane Adams

Social/Moral Reform Goal: Protect social welfare and promote moral improvement Sought to improve the harsh conditions of industrialization. Child labor, working conditions, etc. Social Welfare, settlement house movement Jane Addams

Jane Addams: Social Reformer “To teach by example, to practice cooperation, and to practice social democracy, that is, egalitarian, or democratic, social relations across class lines."

Umpire of the Economy Woodrow Wilson took a conservative and traditional approach Gov’t as an “umpire” to free business from monopolies Restore competition Promoted individualism, open opportunity

Wilson’s Triple Wall of Privilege Trusts Tariffs Banks

Trusts: Federal Trade Commission: Oversight Board to promote free trade, prevent monopolies

Trusts: Clayton Anti-Trust Act: Protected strikes, picketing, and collective bargaining

Tariffs: Reduced tariffs Graduated income tax introduced, 16 th Amendment

Banks: Federal Reserve Act Created 12 districts with Federal Banks Designed to stabilize system

Progressive Era Legacy… Strengthened the role of the federal gov’t Controversial: bureaucracy vs. safety/welfare of the public Permanent political reforms Reform efforts limited to urban issues Did not address Civil Rights