1. The Progressive Movement
Reform in America
(Unit 4 – Section 1)

2. Progressive Era – period of reform
Was in response to:
Monopolies
Labor unrest
Dangerous and unsafe working conditions
Unhealthy living conditions
Gap between rich and poor
Urban problems
Political corruption
Abuse of natural resources

3. Characteristics
Beliefs & Goals
Factors Aiding Movement
Progressives

4. The Muckrakers made public aware of problems
many were journalists, writers, artists, photographers, etc.
exposed corruption and injustice

5. Area of Concern
Attempts to Reform
Results
Food
Poverty
Peace
Temperance
Child Labor
Women
African Americans
Jews

6. Reform of City Government
criticized political machines
tried to hire “progressive” mayors
2 new city government types created:
City Commissioner Plan
City Manager Plan
tried to reform city conditions

7. Reform of State Government
Increased involvement of people in government:
Secret Ballot
Initiative
Referendum
Recall
Direct Primary
17th Amendment
(many originated with Populist Party)

8. Successful Reforms Governor Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin
laws regulated railroads, lobbying, and banking
civil service reforms
increased taxes on wealthy and businesses
workers’ compensation
factory inspections
Other States Followed
1912 Massachusetts passed first minimum wage law
California reformed railroad industry
NY created NYS Tenement Commission

9. The Progressive Presidents
Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Woodrow Wilson

10. Theodore Roosevelt VP for President William McKinley “Square Deal”
Consumer Protection
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act

11. Business Regulation
1903 Elkins Act & 1906 Hepburn Act
Strengthen ICC & set railroad rates
“good trusts” vs. “bad trusts”
Northern Securities Co. v. United States (1904)
Supreme Court upheld govt’s decision to dissolve company
“Beef Trust” – Swift & Co. v. United States (1905) & United States v. E.C. Knight Company (1895)
Supreme Court upheld govt’s decision

12. Labor Conditions
Anthracite Coal Strike, 1902 – workers earned shorter hours & higher wages
Employers Liability Act of 1906
Provided accident insurance for interstate railroad workers
Tried to limit working hours

13. Conservation
Roosevelt wanted to protect nation’s environment
Gifford Pinchot & John Muir – conservationists
placed national forests under control of U.S. Forest Service
National (Newlands) Reclamation Act of 1902 – built dams and irrigation systems
1908 Conservation Congress

14. William Howard Taft Reforms: Problems: More cases against big business
Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v.
United States, 1911
Mann-Elkins Act of 1910
ICC regulated telephones
& telegraphs
16th Amendment
Problems:
Tariffs
Fired Pinchot

15. Woodrow Wilson Democrat, served 2 terms “New Freedom”
Financial Reforms
Underwood Tariff Act of – lowered tariffs
Graduated income tax – “progressive tax”
Federal Reserve System, – 12 districts

16. World War I ended Progressive Era Chart Pg. 148 (review book)
Business Regulation
Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 – prevent unfair competition
Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 – strengthened govt power to control business practices
8 hour work day for railroads
Low-interest loans for farmers
Tried to outlaw child labor
18th Amendment
19th Amendment
World War I ended Progressive Era
Chart Pg. 148 (review book)