1. Taking up the issues First raised by Populism
RISE OF PROGRESSIVISM
Taking up the issues
First raised by
Populism

2. WHO WERE THE PROGRESSIVES?
Not a single voice; picture a “choir” of singers, each with their own part to sing
Progressive politicians will be both Republicans and Democrats – their actions make them “Progressive”
Urban, middle class, educated, professionals, women very involved
Beliefs: capitalism works, but needs reform.
Gov’t needs to step in, need to improve conditions caused by I.R.

3. CONCERNS AND BELIEFS OF PROGRESSIVES
Government should create orderly and stable society
Government has the power to do good
Laissez-faire is obsolete
Trusts & monopolies: too much influence
Growth of poverty: unfair
Politics are undemocratic: voters need more power, more say
Increase public’s role in gov’t = increase democracy leads to less corruption
More voting
Politics run by an elite, taking for themselves: corrupt
Must end party boss system
Consumers need protection (food, medications)

4. STEP 1: Raise Awareness Muckrakers: authors, writers & photographers
They are social reformers!
Expose social & economic problems in magazines, newspapers & books

5. Jane Addams – Twenty Years at Hull House
Causes
Settlement Houses
Education
Clean up cities
Actions
Settlement House Movement
In slums run by educated, middle class women
Help immigrants assimilate
Education – reading/writing
Basic hygiene and skills needed
Help find housing and jobs
Impact
Settlement houses in all major cities
Parks and playgrounds in major cities

6. Jacob Riis – How the Other Half Lives
Focuses on the poverty and living conditions of working class poor in NYC
Uses camera to take pictures of conditions and then interviews those in the pic
Their stories are the basis for the book
Public is outraged and some are finally exposed and aware of how some were living – can no longer be ignored
Works with Addams for increased public spaces (parks and playgrounds) in cities

7. Frank Norris – The Octopus
It is a fiction novel
Centered on the exploitation of the railroad industry over wheat producers in California
Focuses on the control for “forces” or businesses on individuals

8. Ida Tarbell – The History of Standard Oil Company
Father was put out of business by Standard Oil
Starts as a series of articles in McClure’s Magazine
Book discusses the less then honest and possible illegal strategies used by Rockefeller when operating the company
Specifically illegal rigging of railroad prices
Credited with pressuring the gov’t to break up Standard Oil using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act

9. Anger at Trusts
Norris and Tarbell’s books begin to cause public outrage against large trusts
Many unions and groups will file lawsuits against trusts:
Northern Securities v. U.S. (1904)
Standard Oil v. U.S. (1911)

10. Upton Sinclair – The Jungle
Book focused on immigrant workers in Chicago’s meatpacking plants
Public is outraged working conditions, but more disgusted by the food production
"I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach."
Leads to consumer protection laws
Pres. T. Roosevelt orders investigation into meatpacking plants
Meat Inspection Act
Gov’t can inspect and test food
Pure Food and Drug Act
Ingredient labels

12. Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of Cities
Focuses on corruption within America’s cities
Starts as a series or articles in McClure’s Magazine on St. Louis’s gov’t
Theme is that big business corrupts politicians and the average businessman and citizen are ignored
Leads to municipal reforms and budget oversight

13. Political Machines “Boss” is top leader in party
NYC Tammany Hall: Boss Tweed
Gain votes by promising favors and service to voters; spoils system in full effect
Corruption: bribes, kickbacks, skim off the top

16. Government Reforms

17. Progressive changes in Gov’t
Believe Political Parties:
Corrupt
Undemocratic
Goal was to diminish parties’ power
Take power from political bosses and allow the public to make more decisions (vote) Increasing the power of people
More voting = make more positions elected

18. Reforms Reforms are started by Gov. Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin
“Wisconsin Idea”
Initiative = voters propose laws
15% of voters signatures
Popular vote or legislature vote
Referendum = voters can circulate a petition asking to eliminate a law
10-15% of signature
Submitted to popular vote
Recall = voters can remove a public official from office
10-30% of signatures required
New popular vote - If not reelected, official is removed

19. Reform of State Govts
Increased citizens’ ability to participate in gov’t
Secret ballots
Initiative, Referendum, Recall
Direct primary – citizens chose the party’s candidates
17th Amendment (1913)
Senators had been chosen by the state legislature, now they are directly elected by the people of a state
19th Amendment (1919)
Women can vote
Civil service tests
Written test to qualify for a state job
Improve factory conditions
Results of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Child labor laws - Must be 14 years of age

20. before the legislature.
PROGRESSIVE CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT
BEFORE REFORMS AFTER
Party leaders choose
candidates for state
and local offices.
State legislatures
choose U.S.
senators.
Only members of the
state legislature can
introduce bills.
Only legislators
pass laws.
Only courts or the
legislature can remove
corrupt officials.
Direct Primaries
Voters select their
party’s candidates.
17th Amendment
U.S. senators
are elected by
popular vote.
Initiative
Voters can put bills
before the legislature.
Referendum
Voters can vote on
bills directly.
Recall
Voters can remove
elected officials
from office.
Power moves
to Voters.

21. Effects of the Progressive Era
Effects on Politics
Political parties became less important
Voter participation declines
Interest groups, trade and labor organizations become more powerful
Changes in Cities
New building codes
Govt took control over water, gas and electricity
More affordable for people
Sanitation
Transportation