Chapter 15 The fun Talk of Progressives!
Clip The Progressive Movement 1890 1920
The Rise of Progressivism Progressivism was a series of responses to problems that emerged from the growth of industry a reaction against laissez-faire economics and its emphasis on an unregulated market Believed industrialization and urbanization had created many social problems government -take a more active role in solving society s problems
both major political parties. urban, educated, middle-class Americans. believed that government had to be fixed before it could fix other problems strong faith in science and technology Muckrakers progressives -group of journalists who investigated social conditions and political corruption
Reforming Government Some progressives focused on making government more efficient by using ideas from business. managing a modern city required the use of business management techniques Increase efficiency by: Managing Time Breaking tasks into small parts Using standardized tools
supported two proposals to reform city government: a commission plan- divided city government into several departments, each one under an expert commissioner s control instead of crony relatives gaining power based on family ties council-manager system - city manager instead of mayor
The most deadly hurricane in United States history slammed into Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900, killing about 6,000 people. Because the political machine running the city was incapable of responding to the disaster, local business leaders convinced the state to allow them to take control. The following April, Galveston introduced the commission system of local government, which replaced the mayor and city council with five commissioners. Sometimes referred to as the Galveston Plan, its constitutionality was confirmed and took effect. Four of those commissioners were local business leaders. Reformers in other cities were impressed by the city s rapid recovery. Clearly, the city benefited from dividing the government into departments under the supervision of an expert commissioner. Soon, other cities adopted either the commission or council-manager systems of government.
Another group focused on making the political system more democratic - responsive to citizens Led by Republican governor Robert M. La Follette, Wisconsin became a model of progressive reform. attacked the way political parties ran conventions Party bosses controlled the selection of convention delegates, which meant they also controlled the nomination of candidates La Follette and New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson, pressured state legislatures to pass law requiring parties to hold a direct primary all party members can vote for a candidate to run in the general election
Pushed for three additional reforms: Initiative citizens permitted to introduce legislation - required the legislature to vote on it Referendum Citizens vote on proposed laws directly without going to the legislature Recall Gave voters option to demand a special election to remove an elected official from office before their term expired To stop Senate corruption called for direct election of senators by the states voters In 1913, 17 th Amendment was added to Constitution
Suffrage The Right to vote Notes Major goal of progressive women The suffrage debate was split The New York City-based National Woman Suffrage Association wanted constitutional amendment The Boston-based American Woman Suffrage Association get state gov. to give women voting rights before trying to amend the Constitution
In 1890 unite to form National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Will later split again to protests and confront Wilson on suffrage As more states give women voting rights and amendment became a possibility On August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment went into effect
Reforming Society most emotional progressive issue - child labor mines and factories presented dangerous and unhealthy working conditions Muckraker John Spargo s 1906 book, The Bitter Cry of the Children, presented detailed evidence of child labor conditions. It told of coal mines that hired thousands of 9- or 10-year-old breaker boys to pick slag out of coal, paying them 60 cents for a 10-hour day. It described the way that the work bent their backs permanently and often crippled their hands.
adult workers also labored in difficult conditions- changes went into effect including: Workers compensation laws Zoning laws Building and health codes Gov regulation of business to protect workers The temperance movement---alcohol use explained many of society s problems later pressed for prohibition
Progressives and big business Breakup or regulate Sherman Antitrust Act - 1890 Prevent arrangements designed to advance the cost for consumers Interstate Commerce Commission Make railroad practices fair Some were advocates for socialism the government should own and operate industry for the community Most believed free enterprise was superior
Roosevelt and Taft Notes Roosevelt s reform programs became known as the Square Deal believed in Social Darwinism and progressivism at the same time believed that trusts and other large business organizations were very efficient and part of the reason for our prosperity wanted to ensure that trusts did not abuse their power Creates Federal Reserve Board to set interest rates the reserve banks charge other banks, indirectly controlling interest rates and the amount of money in circulation.
Roosevelt also believed in mediating conflicts between different groups and their interests He urged the United Mine Workers (UMW) and mine owners to accept arbitration a settlement negotiated by an outside party
1903 -Department of Commerce and Labor investigate and release results on corporations ended up advising the companies privately - allow them to correct problems without going to court TR was able to regulate big business without sacrificing economic efficiency Federal Trade Commission investigated companies and issued cease and desist orders against companies engaging in unfair trade practices.
By 1905 consumer protection had become a national issue Snake oil salesmen Many Americans were equally concerned about the food they ate In 1906 Upton Sinclair published his novel The Jungle resulted in the Meat Inspection Act being passed in 1906 inspection of meat sold through interstate commerce The Pure Food and Drug Act passed the same day
TR and environmental conservation urged Americans to conserve resources Wants to develop the land not skin it 100 million acres to the protected national forests five new national parks 51 federal wildlife reservations
The aftermath of TR changed the role of the federal government and the presidency. used the bully pulpit on his campaigns to bring his message straight to the people We start looking to the government to solve economic and social problems
William Howard Taft Notes Hand picked by Roosevelt Won election - November 1908 Progressive - believed high tariffs limited competition, hurt consumers, and protected trusts Issue split Rep Party Failed Taft loses credibility among progressives
Taft s Achievements brought twice as many antitrust cases in four years as TR (in seven) A strong conservationist- equaled TR TR would eventually run against him with the Bull Moose Party (Progressives)
Reforms Roosevelt outlined during his 1912 election campaign: - laws to protect women - Protect child laborers - Issue workers' compensation - Wilson believed that the pressure of foreign competition would lead American manufacturers to improve their products and lower their prices.
TR Runs against his former choice for succession (Taft) and the republican party as well as Woodrow Wilson and the Democrats. Republicans/Progressives are split between Taft and TR (Spoiler Effect); Woodrow Wilson Wins the election of 1912 with roughly 40% of the vote.