The Progressive Era Pushing Reform not Revolution

 The Progressive Era refers to the time period of the early 1900s where largely middle class reformers pushed for improvements in society: including worker’s rights, urban life, and government regulation.

Muckrakers  Refers to journalists who were trying to point out corruption in public life.  They were the journalistic wing of the Progressive Movement (mid 1890s though WWI):  Creating social justice  Making govt. efficient - not corrupt  Improving lives of workers  Was a largely urban movement, with reformers working both as volunteers and politicians.  But was not a unified movement with defined goals.  Also was not universally popular - some saw it as interfering with individual liberty.  Refers to journalists who were trying to point out corruption in public life.  They were the journalistic wing of the Progressive Movement (mid 1890s though WWI):  Creating social justice  Making govt. efficient - not corrupt  Improving lives of workers  Was a largely urban movement, with reformers working both as volunteers and politicians.  But was not a unified movement with defined goals.  Also was not universally popular - some saw it as interfering with individual liberty.

Reforming Government  Progressives tried to push reforms aimed at increasing equality.  Pushed for professionals to work in govt., fair tax codes, regulatory commissions.  Also pushed for increased democracy - initiatives, direct primaries  Robert La Follette - governor and senator from Wisconsin, pushed state reforms.  Progressives tried to push reforms aimed at increasing equality.  Pushed for professionals to work in govt., fair tax codes, regulatory commissions.  Also pushed for increased democracy - initiatives, direct primaries  Robert La Follette - governor and senator from Wisconsin, pushed state reforms.

Labor Reform  States were also able to pass laws that limited child labor, allowed for worker compensation for injuries, and enforced safety standards in the workplace.

Roosevelt and Progressivism  Considered himself a Progressive going back to his time in NYC.  Viewed govt. regulation as necessary to watch the growing industrialism.  Also pushed national conservation - for the federal govt. to retain lands deemed important.  Supported Gifford Pinchot in creating a “wise use” forest policy.  Considered himself a Progressive going back to his time in NYC.  Viewed govt. regulation as necessary to watch the growing industrialism.  Also pushed national conservation - for the federal govt. to retain lands deemed important.  Supported Gifford Pinchot in creating a “wise use” forest policy.

Trust Busting  TR was ambivalent on large industries and trusts - he thought growth was good, but needed some regulation.  TR instructed justice dept. to file suit against the Northern Securities Co.  Supreme Ct ordered the company dissolved.  However TR’s successors prosecuted many more trusts, and TR allowed JP Morgan to build another large trust during a financial panic.  TR was ambivalent on large industries and trusts - he thought growth was good, but needed some regulation.  TR instructed justice dept. to file suit against the Northern Securities Co.  Supreme Ct ordered the company dissolved.  However TR’s successors prosecuted many more trusts, and TR allowed JP Morgan to build another large trust during a financial panic.

Some other legislation  Hepburn Act of strengthened the rate setting power of the ICC per Midwestern demands.  Meat Inspection Act of set rules for sanitation and inspection.  Pure Food and Drug Act of require producers to include ingredients, can only sell safe foods.  Hepburn Act of strengthened the rate setting power of the ICC per Midwestern demands.  Meat Inspection Act of set rules for sanitation and inspection.  Pure Food and Drug Act of require producers to include ingredients, can only sell safe foods.

Pushing for Social Justice  Not all Progressives were politicians or pushed for legal changes.  Settlement House movement of late 1800s was to help immigrants assimilate to the US.  Charity groups also pushed for reform of tenements.  National Conference of Charities and Corrections.  Women’s groups especially worked as nurses to treat urban children.  Mann Act (1910) - prohibited transportation of women for immoral purposes.  Not all Progressives were politicians or pushed for legal changes.  Settlement House movement of late 1800s was to help immigrants assimilate to the US.  Charity groups also pushed for reform of tenements.  National Conference of Charities and Corrections.  Women’s groups especially worked as nurses to treat urban children.  Mann Act (1910) - prohibited transportation of women for immoral purposes.

Progressive Education  Early 1900s, because of child labor laws and increased immigration led to a big increase in school populations.  Philosopher John Dewey argued that personal development should be the focus of school, teach through experience not memorization.  Early 1900s, because of child labor laws and increased immigration led to a big increase in school populations.  Philosopher John Dewey argued that personal development should be the focus of school, teach through experience not memorization.

Eugenics Movement  Flourished during the Progressive Era as an offshoot of Social Darwinism.  Sought to limit reproduction of the “unfit.” Buck v. Bell case  In addition many believed that the “new” immigrants were inferior, and sought to limit immigration, which happened during the 1920s.  Flourished during the Progressive Era as an offshoot of Social Darwinism.  Sought to limit reproduction of the “unfit.” Buck v. Bell case  In addition many believed that the “new” immigrants were inferior, and sought to limit immigration, which happened during the 1920s.

The Presidency after TR  Won the 1908 election handily with the belief he would follow TR’s policies.  Republican party became split between Progressives and Business Conservatives over the tariff.  Ballinger-Pinchot Affair  But Taft was a reformer - busted more trusts than TR, increased regulation of railroads, and supported the 16th and 17th amendments.  Won the 1908 election handily with the belief he would follow TR’s policies.  Republican party became split between Progressives and Business Conservatives over the tariff.  Ballinger-Pinchot Affair  But Taft was a reformer - busted more trusts than TR, increased regulation of railroads, and supported the 16th and 17th amendments.

Progressive (Bull Moose) Party  Convinced to run again by anti-Taft Republicans.  “New Nationalism” - a nationalist approach to the nation’s affairs, and a strong president to deal with it.  Also had progressive principles of efficiency and social justice.  Convinced to run again by anti-Taft Republicans.  “New Nationalism” - a nationalist approach to the nation’s affairs, and a strong president to deal with it.  Also had progressive principles of efficiency and social justice.

Wilson and “New Freedom”  Emphasized business competition and small govt., but also believed in the social justice principles of Progressives.  Competing views of govt. relationship to economic growth.  Emphasized business competition and small govt., but also believed in the social justice principles of Progressives.  Competing views of govt. relationship to economic growth.

“New Freedom” in Action  Upon taking office Wilson pushed several important pieces of legislation.  Underwood Tariff Act (1913) to lower tariff rates.  Federal Reserve Act (1913) - first national banking system since Jackson - issues currency and controls the amount of money in circulation through interest rates.  Clayton Anti-Trust Act - strengthened anti-trust laws  Federal Trade Commission - regulatory agency to oversee trade and business methods.  Upon taking office Wilson pushed several important pieces of legislation.  Underwood Tariff Act (1913) to lower tariff rates.  Federal Reserve Act (1913) - first national banking system since Jackson - issues currency and controls the amount of money in circulation through interest rates.  Clayton Anti-Trust Act - strengthened anti-trust laws  Federal Trade Commission - regulatory agency to oversee trade and business methods.

New Amendments  16th Amendment - established a progressive income tax (1913)  17th Amendment - direct election of U.S. senators (1913)  18th Amendment - Alcohol production and transportation prohibited (1919)  19th Amendment - women have an equal right to vote (1920)  16th Amendment - established a progressive income tax (1913)  17th Amendment - direct election of U.S. senators (1913)  18th Amendment - Alcohol production and transportation prohibited (1919)  19th Amendment - women have an equal right to vote (1920)

Prohibition

The Radical Alternative  Accompanied with the “new immigrants” and the growth of industry in the US was a growth in left wing political views of anarchy and socialism.  Groups such as the IWW pushed labor issues in a more radical manner.  Accompanied with the “new immigrants” and the growth of industry in the US was a growth in left wing political views of anarchy and socialism.  Groups such as the IWW pushed labor issues in a more radical manner.

Socialism  Socialist Party developed in the early 1900s with a combination of disenchanted factory workers, populists, and activists.  Wanted communal ownership of property through the govt. - to provide more equally for all people.  In elections from Socialist candidates earned between 5-10% of the vote for president.  Socialist Party developed in the early 1900s with a combination of disenchanted factory workers, populists, and activists.  Wanted communal ownership of property through the govt. - to provide more equally for all people.  In elections from Socialist candidates earned between 5-10% of the vote for president.