1. CHAPTER 28 THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
Established the principle of presidential initiative in progressive reform. A tough character. Created a template to continue to increase the power of the national government.
AMERICA SEEKS REFORMS IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

2. ORIGINS OF PROGRESSIVISM
The Progressives had their roots in the Greenback Labor Party of the 1870s and 1880s, the Populist Party of the 1890s and the Social Gospel.
Though the Populists failed at supplanting one of the major political parties, their legacy lived on in the growth of the Progressives
Promoted a belief, a general optimism, and a faith in the reality of progress, something that is destined to happen through the collective exertions of an entire society.

3. PURPOSE OF PROGRESSIVISM
The strong progressive movement demanded that the powers of government be applied to solving the political, economic and social problems of industrialization.
Increase honesty and efficiency in government, regulate monopolies, americanize immigrants and substitute the use science and rational thinking in planning. We are living in such a complicated world that we now move toward being led by experts, professionals.

4. FOUR GOALS OF REFORMERS
1) Protect Social Welfare
2) Promote Moral Improvement
3) Create Economic Reform/Foster Efficiency
4) Reform Government

5. 1.PROTECT SOCIAL & MORAL WELFARE
Some reformers felt that the answer to societies problems was personal behavior
They proposed such reforms as prohibition
Groups wishing to ban alcohol included the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
Saloons became seen as a vice instead of a social place
Carrie Nation was a leader of the Temperance Movement

6. 3. CREATE ECONOMIC REFORM Fear of the Power of Monopolies
The Panic of 1893 prompted some Americans to question the capitalist economic system
As a result some workers embraced socialism (Communal ownership of universal goods and services)
Eugene Debs organized the American Socialist Party in 1901
Fear of centralized power
Debs encouraged workers to reject American Capitalism

7. MUCKRAKERS CRITICIZE BIG BUSINESS
Though most progressives did not embrace socialism, many writers saw the truth in Debs’ criticism
Journalists known as “Muckrakers” exposed corruption in business
make society efficient, not reject capitalism
Ida Tarbell exposed Standard Oil Company’s cut-throat methods of eliminating competition
Ida Tarbell
Some view Michael Moore as a modern muckraker

8. FOSTERING EFFICIENCY
Many Progressive leaders put their faith in scientific principles to make society better
In Industry, Frederick Taylor began using time & motion studies to improve factory efficiency
Taylorism became an Industry fad as factories sought to complete each task quickly
Ideas were to make society efficient, not reject capitalism

9. REGULATING BIG BUSINESS
Under the progressive Republican leadership of Robert La Follette, Wisconsin led the way in regulating big business
Direct Taxes on Corporations
Regulated railroads

10. PROTECTING WORKING CHILDREN
Keating-Owen Act - As the number of child workers rose, reformers worked to end child labor
Children were more prone to accidents caused by fatigue
Nearly every state limited or banned child labor by 1918
Keating-Owens Child Labor Act

11. EFFORTS TO LIMIT HOURS
Progressives succeeded in winning worker’s compensation to aid families of injured workers
The Supreme Court and the states enacted or strengthened laws reducing women’s hours of work

12. 4. CLEANING UP LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Efforts at reforming local government stemmed from the desire to make government more efficient and responsive to citizens
Some believe it also was meant to limit immigrants influence in local governments

13. Progressivism first gained strength at the city and state level
Urban issues become center of reform
City is perceived as a social menace full of disorder
Overcrowded, pollution, illness, poor sanitation
Immigrants settle in core of city while the rich move out to the suburbs
Jane Addams becomes Garbage Commissioner in Chicago. Why, because the government is waiting for the competitors to offer the best bribe in order to get the contract. In the meantime, Addams steps in to solve to problem. And battling the boss system. through strengthening the government and making it more efficient

14. Pendleton Civil Service Act
An early Progressive action passed in order to take corruption from patronage out of government and promote efficiency

15. Honest Graft and Dishonest Graft: Problems in the City
Early public welfare system - If you lose your job and place to live, you go to the Boss for help – in return you vote for whomever the Boss tells you to vote
Widespread fraud and inefficiency
Someone can rise from humble origins to powerful positions, but often through graft and bribery
Cities are not organized well to handle the new issues facing the modern cities
Early solution was the Boss system (Boss Tweed, Plunkett, etc.) that had begun in establishing political machines in response to the earlier influx of immigration of the 1840s

16. Strengthening the government because they can do it more efficiently
Detroit – Mayor Pingrey changes the way contracts are awarded
Instead of bribe and patronage established a bid system
Puts them in a place where they will be decided for the common good
Takes it out of politics
Ex. Utility rates, studies and discovers Detroit pays more compared to other cities
Bargains with utility companies (monopoly) for lower rates
When they won’t he starts a public utility to fund at lower rates
Ex. Does this with streetcars as well, as advocate for the people of the city, he wants a $.03 cent rate – takes over street cars
Eventually, Street Car companies gave in
Appointing of city managers begins or commissioners to run different aspects, takes away power from the concentration in a boss.
Appointing of city managers begins or commissioners to run different aspects, takes away power from the concentration in a boss.

17. Tenement Housing Jacob Riis, a photographer
Documented life of the lower class in the cities in his book How the Other Half Lives

18. Don’t stop & restrict immigration …
Employers felt little responsibility toward their workers, especially immigrants
As a result Settlement homes, like Jane Addams’ Hull House, and churches served the community
Also the YMCA and Salvation Army took on service roles
Finding a Better way, don’t stop and restrict immigration, instead finda better way to assimilate immigrates into our society.
Instead find a better way to assimilate immigrants into our society.

19. “Fighting” Robert La Follette
Election
Reform
Citizens fought for, and won, such measures as secret ballots, referendum votes (legislative acts could be approved by people), and the recall (removal of a public official, often deemed corrupt,from office by a vote of the people )
Citizens could petition and get initiatives on the ballot
Direct Primary – voters vote directly on candidate for the political party
Makes government power more responsive to the people
Direct Tax on Corporations and Railroad Regulations

20. Accidents Prompt Reform: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Prompts NY to pass labor law reforms: safety standards, inspectors