EQ: What reforms improved America during the Progressive Era? HW: Quiz Fri. Do Now: Read and summarize (in one paragraph) an article on Nellie Bly. 1
Pendleton Act 1883 President Chester Arthur What was the problem? Unqualified people (friends and supporters getting government positions / jobs). Spoils system patronage Created the Civil Service Commission which gave exams for Federal jobs and helped to make sure people were qualified. 2
InterstateCommerceAct 1887 What was the problem? Railroad pools and rebates unfair to small businesses (farmers) need to regulate RRs and big business President Grover Cleveland Oversee the RRs and insure fairness with all businesses (regulate RRs) 3
Sherman Anti Trust 1890 President Benjamin Harrison What was the problem? Giant corporations that reduced or eliminated competition Attempt to stop trusts from limiting competition stop monopolies from forming 4
Conservation 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt What was the problem? Destruction of American wilderness Protection of natural resources created national parks Square Deal 1901 What was the problem? Everyday Americans were not getting a fair deal farmers, workers, trusts Railroads a major concern with abuse of power President Teddy Roosevelt A Promise by Theodore Roosevelt to be fair to all Americans and not favor one group 1903 RR rebates outlawed. 5
Newlands Act 1902 What was the problem? Farmers and ranchers needed help dry lands in west President Teddy Roosevelt Constructed irrigation projects in dry states created millions of acres of new farmland in California, Texas and Arizona Many more Mexicans immigrate to U.S. to work 6
Federal Meat Inspection 1906 What was the problem? Reaction to the book written by Upton Sinclair (The Jungle) Unsanitary conditions in meat plants President Teddy Roosevelt Sent inspectors to meat plants and forced the owners of these plants to allow inspectors 7
Pure Food and Drug Act 1906 President Teddy Roosevelt What was the problem? Drug companies made false claims about medicines food industry added dangerous chemicals Required food and drug makers to list ingredients on their packages. Tried to end false advertising and use of bad ingredients 8
New Freedom 1912 President Woodrow Wilson What was the problem? Tariffs on imported goods too high banking system weak trusts still a concern Laws to spur competition lower tariffs goal was to break up trusts into smaller companies Underwood Act reduced tariffs Federal Reserve Act 1913 President Woodrow Wilson What was the problem? Federal banking system was inefficient, near collapse, had little power Established nationwide system of federal banks control the money supply(creates Fed Reserve Board) 9
16th Amendment 1913 President William Taft What was the problem? Govt was relying on high tariffs for revenues need for money and the wealthy should pay more than poor progressive tax reform Congress can impose an individual income tax 17th Amendment 1913 What was the problem? Senators were appointed by State Legislatures (bribe official to vote for certain candidates) President William Taft Direct election of State Senators by public vote 10
Federal Trade Commission 1914 What was the problem? Unfair business practices (deceptive practices false advertising, price fixing,... President Woodrow Wilson Counter deceptive acts and practices and anti competitive behavior by businesses. Investigate companies Clayton Anti Trust 1914 What was the problem? Sherman Anti Trust Act was weak. Local price cutting to eliminate competition injunctions being used against labor strikes President Woodrow Wilson Legalized peaceful strikes, boycotts, and picketing. Set the foundation for regulation of business competition. 11
18th Amendment 1917 President Woodrow Wilson What was the problem? Women were the driving force behind wanting to correct social problems, reduce crime, improve health, and stop corruption Prohibit sale, manufacture and transportation of liquor 19th Amendment 1919 President Woodrow Wilson What was the problem? Women did not have the right to vote in all states Women right to Vote! 12
Robert La Follette Who was he? Leading progressive and Governor of Wisconsin. "The will of the people shall be the law of the land" What did he try to reform? Reformed RR rates and political reforms to give power to people primaries, initiative, referendum, and recall. 13
Primaries What was the problem? Party leaders picked candidates for local and state offices VOTER's choose party's candidate Initiative What was the problem? Special interest controlled government and people could not get the changes they wanted Gave voters right to put a bill to state legislatures and then have voters vote on the bill at the next election (referendum) Recall What was the problem? Corrupt government officials Gave voters right to remove elected officials in middle of term 14
Booker T Washington Who was he? Born into slavery; started Tuskegee Institute (education center for blacks). African Americans can improve themselves through education. What did he try to reform? Educational opportunities for African Americans W.E.B. DuBois Who was he? First African American to earn PhD from Harvard urged blacks to fight discrimination helped to form the NAACP (Natl Association for Advancement of Colored People) Activist and author opposed Bookers philosophies What did he try to reform? Injustices on Blacks freedom and growth for African Americans NAACP George Washington Carver Who was he? Born at end of Civil War educated and nicknamed "The Plant Doctor" learned and taught new farming techniques worked for Booker T at Tuskegee What did he achieve? Discovered hundreds of new uses for peanuts and other products, crop rotation 15