1. Progressives and Reform 1901-1918
Pgs
President Roosevelt
President Taft
President Wilson

2. President Roosevelt
President Roosevelt used the authority of his office in many ways.
He worked to establish America has a world power.
He worked to improve life for Americans in the United States.
Roosevelt became know as a “progressive” President.

3. The Square Deal
Roosevelt believed it was the job of the government to help citizens as much as possible.
His program was called the Square Deal. The goal of this program was to provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for all Americans.

4. Commissions
He set up committees, or special commissions, to investigate problems.
Railroad fares
Monopolies (Rockefeller)
Pure Food and Drug Act
Meat Inspection Act
Conservation (National Parks – p. 289)

5. President Taft Roosevelt decided not to seek reelection in 1908.
William Howard Taft was elected. He was also a progressive reformer.
Taft pushed to have the 16th Amendment ratified which allowed the federal government to tax income.
It was ratified in 1913.

6. 1912 Election
Roosevelt decided to run for President against President Taft and Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
Wilson was elected President. He also claimed to be a reformer.
He supported the passage of the 17th Amendment which allowed the election of U.S. Senators by the people rather than being chosen by state legislators.
It was ratified in 1913.

7. Civil Rights
Many felt that progressive reforms did little to address prejudice. In 1909 W.E.B. Du Bois, an African American leader, formed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. (NAACP)
This group worked to change laws that did not give full civil rights to African Americans and worked to end racial violence.

8. Civil Rights
In the later years of his life, Du Bois believed that prejudice in the United States would never be broken down.
He decided to leave the U.S. in 1961 and spent the rest of his life in the West African county of Ghana.

9. Improving Society
1914 – Laws were passed in almost every state making it illegal to hire children.
1919 – The 18th Amendment made the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States.

10. Prohibition Amendment
The Prohibition Amendment was a failure. Gangsters found ways to sell alcohol.
The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1931 by the 21st Amendment.
Carry Nation