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FROM ROOSEVELT TO WILSON IN THE AGE OF PROGRESSIVISM America: Past and Present Chapter 23
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The Spirit of Progressivism n Progressivism not a coherent movement n Shared values – Sense of evangelical Protestant duty – Faith in the benefits of science – Commitment to improve all aspects of American life
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The Rise of the Professions n Professions bulwarks of Progressivism – Law – Medicine – Business – Education – Social work n Professionalism strengthened through entrance exams, national associations
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The Social-Justice Movement n Reformers forsake individualized reform to address larger structural problems n Apply scientific methods to social reform
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The Purity Crusade n Crusade against vice n 1911--membership in Women's Christian Temperance Union hits 250,000 n 1916--19 states prohibit alcohol n 1920--18th Amendment prohibits alcohol
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Woman Suffrage, Woman's Rights n Women fill Progressive ranks – National Conference of Social Work – General Federation of Women's Clubs n 1890--National American Woman Suffrage Association formed n 1920--Nineteenth Amendment passed n Suffrage seen as empowering women to benefit the disadvantaged
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A Ferment of Ideas: Challenging the Status Quo n Progressives, pragmatists, measure value of ideas by actions they inspire n Reject social Darwinism n John Dewey--education should stress personal growth, free inquiry, creativity n Thorstein Veblen and Richard Ely advance Pragmatic economic theory
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A Ferment of Ideas: Socialism n 1901--Socialist party formed n Unites intellectuals, factory workers, tenant farmers, miners, lumberjacks n Promises Progressive reform rather than overthrow of capitalism n 1912--Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debs polls over 1 million votes
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Reform in the Cities and States n Progressives take control of city halls to solve social problems n Reform government – Reorganize for efficiency, effectiveness – New agencies address particular social ills – Posts staffed with experts n Government power extended at all levels
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Interest Groups and the Decline of Popular Politics n Decline in voter participation –77% from 1876-1900 –65% from 1900-1916 –52% in the 1920s –Remains near 52% through 20 th century n Interest groups get favorable legislation through lobbying
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Voter Participation in Presidential Elections, 1876- 1920
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Reform in the Cities n Urban reform leagues form professional, nonpolitical civil service n Appointed commissioners replace elected officials in many cities n City manager idea spreads n Reform mayors – Tom Johnson of Cleveland – "Golden Rule" Jones of Toledo
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Action in the States n State regulatory commissions created to investigate economic life n Initiative, referendum, and recall created n 1917--17th Amendment provides for direct election of U.S. senators
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Action in the States: Reform Governors n Robert La Follette of Wisconsin – “Wisconsin Idea” taps experts in higher education for help in sweeping reforms n Other Progressive governors – Joseph Folk of Missouri – Hiram Johnson of California – Charles Evans Hughes of New York – Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey
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The Republican Roosevelt n Often defies convention n Brings an exuberance to the presidency n Surrounds himself with able associates
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Busting the Trusts n 1902--wave of trust-busting led by suit against Northern Securities Company n 1904--Northern Securities dissolved n Roosevelt reputed a "trust-buster" n Comparatively few antitrust cases under Roosevelt
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"Square Deal" in the Coalfields n 1902--United Mine Workers strike in Pennsylvania threatens U.S. economy n U.M.W., companies to White House n Roosevelt wins company concessions by threatening military seizure of mines n Roosevelt acts as broker of interests
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Roosevelt Progressivism at Its Height n 1904—A four-way election –Republican—Theodore Roosevelt –Democrat—Alton B. Parker –Socialist—Eugene V. Debs –Prohibition—Silas C. Swallow n Roosevelt wins 57% of popular vote, 336 electoral votes
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Regulating the Railroads n 1903--Elkins Act prohibits railroad rebates, strengthens Interstate Commerce Commission n Widespread popular demand for further railroad regulation after Roosevelt’s reelection n 1906--Hepburn Act further strengthens Interstate Commerce Commission –Membership from five to seven –May fix reasonable maximum rates –Jurisdiction broadened to include oil pipeline, express, sleeping car companies
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Cleaning Up Food and Drugs n Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (1906) prompts federal investigation of meatpacking industry n 1906--Meat Inspection Act –Sets rules for sanitary meatpacking –Requires government inspection of meat products n Samuel Hopkins Adams exposes dangers of patent medicines n 1906--Pure Food and Drug Act –Requires manufacturers to list certain ingredients –Bans manufacture and sale of adulterated drugs
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Conserving the Land n First comprehensive national conservation policy –Roosevelt works with Gifford Pinchot, chief of Forest Service –Policy defines “conservation” as wise use of natural resources n Quadruples acreage under federal protection
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Agitating for Further Reform n Roosevelt’s challenge –Attacks “malefactors of great wealth” –Criticizes conservatism of federal courts –Agitates for pro-labor legislation n Popular response –Business leaders blame for financial panic –Overwhelming majority support
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The Ordeal of William Howard Taft n Taft able administrator, poor president n Conservative Republicans resurge n Taft loses support of Progressives
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Party Insurgency n Tariff splits Republicans – Progressives: high tariff favors trusts – Conservatives: high tariff protects business n 1909 Payne-Aldrich Act provokes Progressives to break with Taft
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The Ballinger-Pinchot Affair n Gifford Pinchot leading conservationist, Roosevelt appointee n Pinchot accuses Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger of selling public lands to friends n Taft fires Pinchot n Progressives antagonized
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Taft Alienates the Progressives, 1909-1910 n 1910--Taft successfully pushes Mann- Elkins Act to strengthen ICC –Empowers ICC to fix railroad rates –Progressive Republicans attack Taft’s plan of a Commerce Court to hear ICC appeals –Progressives obstruct Taft’s negotiations n 1910--Taft attacks Progressive Republicans, Democrats gain Congress
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Taft Alienates the Progressives, 1911-1912 n Legislation protecting laborers n Sixteenth Amendment creates income tax n Taft a greater trustbuster than Roosevelt n Taft, Roosevelt attack one another publicly n 1912--Taft re-nominated by Republicans, little chance for victory
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Differing Philosophies in the Election of 1912 n Roosevelt--Progressive ("Bull Moose") – “New Nationalism” – Federal regulation of economy – Wasteful competition replaced by efficiency n Woodrow Wilson--Democrat – "New Freedom" for individual – Restrain big business, government n Democrats win White House, Congress
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Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom n Woodrow Wilson former president of Princeton, governor of New Jersey n Progressive, intellectual, inspiring orator n One of America's most effective presidents
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The New Freedom in Action n 1913--Underwood Tariff cuts duties n 1913--Federal Reserve Act reforms banks, establishes stable currency n 1914--Clayton Antitrust Act outlaws unfair trade practices, protects unions n 1914--Federal Trade Commission
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New Freedom in Action: Retreating from Reform n November, 1914--Wilson announces the "New Freedom" has been achieved n Reasons for retreat – Distracted by the outbreak of war in Europe – Needs conservative Southern support – Republicans seem to gain by attacking his programs
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Wilson Moves Toward the New Nationalism n 1916--Presidential election n Wilson renews reform in reelection bid – Federal Farm Loan Act – Intervenes in strikes on behalf of workers – Attempts to ban child labor – Increases income taxes on the rich – Supports women’s suffrage n Program wins Wilson a close election
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The Close of the Progressive Era n Reform of government at all levels n Intelligent planning of reform n World War I ends Progressive optimism
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