1. Progressivism Political and Eco changes

2. Democratic Reforms
Many of the reforms were to try to curb the power of the Political machines and give the people more of a voice.
Direct Primary – people, not machines choose their party’s candidates.
Secret Ballots (Australian ballot)
17th Amendment – direct election of U.S. Senators instead of the state legislatures choosing them

3. More Direct Changes Initiative – people can propose law (petition)
Referendum – people can vote on a law
Recall – people can vote to remove an elected official before term expires

4. Government Efficiency
The Progressive Era was a change in attitude where many started to believe government needed to get involved or try to “fix” society’s problems
City Manager – someone outside of elected office to deal with day-to-day issues
Sanitation, fire issues
Tom Johnson of Cleveland
Robert LaFollette and the Wisconsin Experiment
Progressive reforms as Governor and Senator

5. Tax Changes Underwood Tariff lowered tariffs
Before 1900, main source of revenue for Federal Government was Tariffs (custom duties)
President Taft called for Tariff Reform, but most it came under President Wilson
Underwood Tariff lowered tariffs
16th Amendment allowed for income tax
Originally proposed by Populist
What meant by a graduated income tax? Is that fair?

6. Trust-busting
Teddy Roosevelt got the reputation as the Trustbuster, but Taft actually broke apart many more.
Northern Securities Company (1902) breakup
Controlled by J.P. Morgan who does not like T.R.
Roosevelt was more of a Trust regulator than buster
Taft would go after 4 times as many, and Wilson even more
Louis Brandeis would support Wilson on the Supreme Court
Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) – built upon the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, but with more enforcement

7. Business Regulation
Elkins Act (1903) and Hepburn Act (1906) increased the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission over railroads.
Federal Trade Commission established in 1914
Don’t forget Pure Food and Drug Act 1906, Meat Inspection Act 1906, and the Keating-Owen Act 1916
Federal Reserve Act passed in 1913 created the Federal Reserve which is basically the _____.

8. Conservation and Controversy
Teddy Roosevelt set aside more land than any other President (until Clinton)
His advisors had different goals:
John Muir (founder of Sierra Club) – Preservation
Gifford Pinchot (US Forest Service) – Conservation
What’s the difference and who did T.R. side with?

9. Teddy 2nd Term Square Deal
Roosevelt wanted to expand on Progressive measures
1st President to arbitrate a labor dispute
Limited because of economic downturn in the Panic of 1907
Had to ask JP Morgan for help (no B.U.S.) and agreed to not bust up his U.S. Steel company.

10. 1908 Election and Taft
Roosevelt had said he would not run again and regretted that promise later. He hand-picked Taft to succeed him.
Taft easily beat William Jennings Bryan in 1908
Taft’s administration:
More trust-busting (even U.S. Steel)
Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Taft had promised to cut tariff, but then conservative Republicans in Congress raised taxes and Taft signed it.
Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy – popular Pinchot was fired after criticizing Sec. of Interior Richard Ballinger

11. Republican Split
The tariff issue and Pinchot-Ballinger split the Republicans into two groups:
Conservatives – supported Taft and business-minded
Progressives – hoped that TR would return to led them

12. More Radical Groups IWW – International Workers of the World
Socialist Party
Led by Eugene Debs
Ran for President 5 times
Outspoken critic of business
IWW – International Workers of the World
“Wobblies” led by Bill Heywood
Fought for more labor rights
Why would these groups fade after 1920?

13. New Nationalism
Roosevelt returned with his New Nationalism plan in 1912
Progressive wing liked it, but Conservatives thought it was too radical.
At the Republican Convention the party split. Taft became the nominee.
Roosevelt and the Progressive started the Progressive Party (Bull-Moose)

14. Election of 1912 4 Major Candidates Rep – Taft Dem – Woodrow Wilson
Pro – Roosevelt
Soc – Debs

15. Wilson Progressive Program
Federal Reserve established
Federal Trade Commission established
Tariff Reduction (Underwood Tariff)
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Louis Brandeis nominated to Supreme Court
In what way was Wilson not Progressive?
What stopped the Progressive movement?

16. Reflection Questions
How did Theodore Roosevelt set the stage for the rest of the 1900s with government regulation of businesses?
How can you support the statement that the Progressive Party was the most influential party in US History? How could you say the Populist was?
In what ways did citizens get more of a say in the running of their government in the Progressive Era?
What are some of the lasting effects of the Progressive Era?

17. Links
z5E&feature=relmfu – Review video
C3iGo&feature=relmfu – Review video, presidents
ssive2007_files/Page651.htm - Progressive Era Cartoons Webquest
s/content/GAPECartoons.cfm - gilded and progressive age cartoons