1. The Spirit of Reform
Progressivism

2. What is Progressivism?
Progressivism: A reform movement that came about as a response to many of the problems that arose during the modernization of America.
The movement sought to bring about positive changes to American society focusing on breaking up trusts, regulating businesses, fighting for social justice, and giving power back to individuals.
Think of PROGRESS: gradual betterment; especially : the progressive development of humankind

3. Who is a Progressive?
Progressive: Reformer who worked to improve social and political problems.

4. Progressive Reform
Industrialization led to many problems that most in society thought needed to be fixed.
Progressives did not agree on which problems were the most important or what was the best way to fix them.
As a result, progressives worked for reforms in many areas
One agreement between progressives was that the federal government needed to step in!

5. Muckrakers
Progressives were moved to action by journalists who wrote about corruption in business and politics.
Muckrakers: Journalists who “raked up” and exposed the muck, or filth, of society.
Muckrakers brought the problems of society into public view which helped unite reformers.

6. Notable Muckrakers
Ida Tarbell: Wrote articles attacking John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company
Thomas Nast: Drew political cartoons attacking Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall
Upton Sinclair: Author of “The Jungle” and “The Flivver King” wrote books exposing the conditions in many industries

7. Progressive Leaders- Women
Suffrage Leaders:
Susan B Anthony: Co-founder of NAWSA
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Co-founder of NAWSA
Carrie Chapman Catt: NAWSA Leader
Alice Paul: Founder of NWP
Other Reforms:
Jane Addams: Founder of Hull House in Chicago
Florence Kelley: Fought for child labor reform
Ida B Wells: Outspoken critic of discrimination against African Americans
Frances Willard: President of WCTU

8. Progressive Leaders- African Americans
Booker T. Washington: Founder of Tuskegee Institute urging African Americans to improve their own education and economic well being instead of fighting against discrimination
W.E.B. Du Bois: Founder of NAACP; wanted to directly fight against social injustice
Ida B. Wells: Outspoken critic of discrimination against African Americans

9. Progressive Leaders- Presidents
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt:
Believed president should be an active leader instead of administrator
Square Deal: Roosevelt’s policy of balancing the interests of business, labor, and consumers
Helped labor unions bargain with management
Conservation: Protection of nature and its resources
Trust Buster

11. Progressive Leaders- Presidents
William Howard Taft:
Succeeded Teddy Roosevelt and believed in many of the same issues
Differed on how the President should use their power

12. Progressive Leaders- Presidents
Woodrow Wilson:
Won election in 1912 after Roosevelt and Taft split the Republican vote
Fought for many progressive reforms
“New Freedom” Policies

13. Major Progressive Victories
Pendleton Civil Service Act: Replaced spoils system with merit system
Amendments 17-19
17th Amendment- Direct Election of Senators
18th Amendment- Prohibition of Alcohol
19th Amendment- Women’s Suffrage
Pure Food and Drug Act: Regulated the manufacture, sale, and transportation of food and drugs

14. Major Progressive Victories
Federal Reserve Act: Set up a national banking system with the goal preventing sudden booms and busts in the economy
Clayton Anti Trust Act: Strengthened earlier federal laws against monopolies
Federal Trade Commission: Group created to stop unfair business practices

15. Themes of Progressive Reform
Political leaders finally siding with the people over business
Government regulation of industries
Growth of federal government power over individual states
Rights of minority groups being recognized