CHAPTER 17 The Progressive Era

1. CHAPTER 17The Progressive Era

2. Section 1: The Origins of Progressivism Main Idea: Political, economic, and social change in late 19th century America led to broad progressive reforms.

3. Progressivism began in the late 1800s by reformers who sought to address the problems of industrialization. • These efforts created the progressive movement. • The four goals of progressivism: (1) protecting social welfare (2) promoting moral improvement (3) creating economic reform (4) fostering efficiency

4. Social welfare reformers worked to soften harsh conditions of industrialization. • Efforts included: settlement houses for immigrants soup kitchens YMCA Salvation Army • Florence Kelley became an advocate of women and children who worked in factories.

5. Other reformers felt morality was the key to improving lives. i.e. prohibition (banning alcohol) Some labor leaders criticized capitalism and promoted economic reform through socialism. Journalists who exposed problems and sought reform were called muckrakers. Some felt society and the workplace could be more efficient through scientific management.

6. Other progressive efforts focused on city, state, and national government. i.e. Wisconsin governor Robert LaFollette Political reforms were also made through elections, giving citizens more power. i.e. Citizens could create an initiative. Citizens could respond to initiatives with a referendum. Citizens could remove a politician with a recall. The 17th Amendment (1913) allowed voters to directly elect U.S. senators.

7. Section 2: Women in Public Life Main Idea: As a result of social change, many women entered public life as workers and reformers.

8. SusetteLaFleschehelped pass the Dawes Act. which won rights for Native Americans. • In the late 19th century, more women entered the work force. i.e. farm women women in industry (factories, offices) domestic workers (maids, cooks, etc.) • Poor working conditions led many female industrial workers to push for reforms, especially after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911).

9. Many women also sought higher education, attending new women’s colleges. i.e. Vassar, Smith, Wellesley • Because women were not allowed to vote or run for office, women reformers strove to improve conditions at work or home. • In 1896, African-American women founded the NACW (National Association of Colored Women).

10. Susan B. Anthony began the call for women’s suffrage. She and Elizabeth Cady Stanton founded the NWSA (National Women Suffrage Association) in 1869. In 1890, this became the NAWSA (National American Women Suffrage Association). The group faced constant opposition, especially by men.

11. Suffragist leaders used a 3-part strategy: (1) petitioning state legislatures for suffrage (2) starting court cases based on citizen rights (3) pushing for a national constitutional amendment By the turn of the century, the suffrage campaign won only modest success, but women’s efforts paid off in leading to other reforms.

12. Section 3: Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal Main Idea: As president, Theodore Roosevelt worked to give citizens a Square Deal through progressive reforms.

13. Muckraker Upton Sinclair exposed horrible conditions in the meatpacking industry in his book The Jungle (1906). This prompted many to call for reform, including President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt became president when William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt was born into a wealthy New York family and was a Spanish-American war hero. As the youngest president (42), Roosevelt was dynamic and used his popularity and personality to advance his programs.

14. Roosevelt believed in federal responsibility, that the government should help in correcting problems. He saw the presidency as a “bully pulpit,” where he could influence news media and shape new laws. He aimed to see that the common people received a “Square Deal.” The Square Deal became the term to describe the various progressive reforms of Roosevelt’s presidency.

15. Roosevelt’s business concerns included: (1) trustbusting (breaking up monopolies) i.e. the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (2) the 1902 coal strike and arbitration (3) railroad regulation Roosevelt’s concern for public health and the environment included: (1) regulating food and drugs i.e. the Meat Inspection Act the Pure Food and Drug Act (2) conservation and natural resources i.e. the national park system and John Muir

16. Roosevelt did not do as much for civil rights for African-Americans. W.E.B. DuBoisand other civil rights leaders criticized progressivism for ignoring racial injustice. To address their concerns, they founded the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in 1909.

17. Mount Rushmore

18. Section 4:Progressivism Under Taft Main Idea: Taft’s ambivalent approach to progressive reform led to a split in the Republican Party and the loss of the presidency to the Democrats.

19. Republican William Howard Taft followed Roosevelt as president in 1908. Taft tended to favor business rather than the progressive reforms of Roosevelt. Taft fired Gifford Pinchot, progressive head of the U.S. Forest Service. Taft replaced Pinchot with Richard A. Ballinger, who undermined conservation efforts. Taft was also criticized by progressives for supporting the Payne-Aldrich Tariff, which favored big business.

20. Under Taft, the Republican party split into progressives who sought change and conservatives who did not. In 1912, progressive Republicans formed a new third party called the Bull Moose Party, based on a platform of reforms. The Bull Moose Party nominated Roosevelt for president, with a “New Nationalism” campaign. The Democrats nominated New Jersey governor Woodrow Wilson for president, with a progressive “New Freedom” campaign.

21. Eugene V. Debs also ran for president as an anti-capitalist Socialist, but got no electoral votes. The Republican split handed the 1912 election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. The Bull Moose Party came in second. Candidates supporting reform did well, indicating a growing movement in progressivism.

22. Section 5:Wilson’s New Freedom Main Idea: Woodrow Wilson established a strong reform agenda as a progressive leader.

23. Wilson believed in giving greater freedom to average citizens, but he did not support civil rights for African Americans. Wilson’s “New Freedom” was an attack on trusts, tariffs, and high finance. The Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) restricted corporate power and protected workers’ rights. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (1913) was a watchdog agency to enforce regulations. The Underwood Tariff lowered tariff rates. The 16th Amendment (1913) provided a new source of government revenue through a federal income tax.

24. The Federal Reserve Act (1913) reformed the nation’s banking system, improving both credit availability and money supply. This Federal Reserve System is still the basis of the nation’s banking system. Carrie Chapman Catt pushed for women’s suffrage during Wilson’s presidency. In 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote.

25. Wilson disappointed Progressives on racial matters and was criticized by William Monroe Trotter, an advocate of African American rights. As America became more concerned with imperialism and World War I, the Progressive Era came to an end.