1. Progressive Era
Chapter 26
U.S. History Alive!

2. Muckrakers
Journalist who exposed evils in society

3. Goal of Progressives
Ordinary people could start the greatest new movement that would improve American life

4. Captains of Industry
Saw U.S. as a land ripe for areas of progress or a way to make money
Goal: Build new industries that would provide more jobs
Good for all the immigrants who all needed jobs

5. Cycle of Progression

6. Big Business Benefit
Only big business can produce goods in large enough volume so that the goods would be affordable to more people

7. Social Darwinism
When small business compete, only those that thrive will stay in business
All unsuccessful small business will be absorbed by bigger, more efficient businesses.
The most fit businesses will thrive (or make money) while the least fit will struggle and ultimately go out of business

8. “To die rich is a disgrace” Andrew Carnagie
Carnagie gave most of his money to libraries.
Rockefeller gave money to universities, medical research, the arts, and education

9. Sherman Antitrust Act
Outlaws monopolies, not enforced until Pres. Teddy Roosevelt ( the trust buster) took office. He forced large corporations to serve the public good.
Example: Justice Department sued a railroad company because it controlled most of the lines between Chicago and the Pacific NW.
Result: Supreme Court orders RR Company to break up into smaller ones
Example: Standard Oil Trust- exposed by a magazine article which outraged the public. Trust is broken up along with 40 others
Result: Regulation- enforcement of laws

10. Robert La Follette Ran for office, lost, returned to law practice
Republican Senator attempts to bribe La Follette to fix a case
La Follette reports bribe to the newspaper
Senator seeks revenge

11. The Battle is on!
“Battling Bob” runs for Gov. with goal of putting party bosses out of business
Party bosses control local and state govt
Party bosses helped hand picked candidate win elections by stuffing ballot boxes and by using bribes
After 3 attempts, La Follette wins and reforms election process
Result: Wisconsin become 1st state to adopt direct primaries. Many more reforms followed.

12. Mother Jones Fought for worker’s rights Call to arms- Child Labor
Video clip
“March of Mill Children”
states pass child labor laws

13. Child Labor Clip

14. More reform Limit work day for women to 10 hour days
Assistance for injured workers
State Committee- investigate conditions in factories which results in 56 new labor laws

15. Environmental Protection
John Muir
Yosemite Valley- logging, sheep, rapid growth
Teddy Roosevelt takes up cause and get protective laws passed

16. W.E.B. Du Bois
Worked to exposes racism to the public and the unfair laws that existed for blacks
Booker T Washington- councils “make the best of it”…” don’t rock the boat”
Du Bois- “ We want the Constitution of the country enforced.
NAACP forms with help of white reformers

17. Upton Sinclair meat packing company story
Sick animals being processed
Use of old, rotten, meat
Sawdust and rats used
Poised rats used
Public response: outrage about content of sausage not the treatment of workers.
Result: Meat Inspection Act- health standards and inspection by federal overseers

18. National Woman’s Party Alice Paul
Women’s suffrage
Washington DC parade
1918- right to vote approved in 12 states
200 women arrested outside White House and went on hunger strike
Public was outraged…Suffragettes are heroes
2 months later house approves amendment, 18 months Senate approval
August 26, th Amendment ratified