1 / 19

Populism/Progressive Era

Populism/Progressive Era. Reform after the Gilded Age: Fixing America’s Problems. Populism in 1870’s. Populism: appeal to the common people (populist party) What do they want? Political and labor reform

ksexton
Download Presentation

Populism/Progressive Era

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Populism/Progressive Era Reform after the Gilded Age: Fixing America’s Problems

  2. Populism in 1870’s • Populism: appeal to the common people (populist party) • What do they want? Political and labor reform • 1.change currency to flexible currency based on free silver: unlimited production of silver coinsgive farmer more $ to pay debts • 2.limit president and VP to single term • 3. shorter hours for workers • 4. national income tax

  3. How did this come about? • After Civil War, farming expands in West and South (supply of crops is faster than demand) • Prices falling; however, farmers expenses remain high(seeds, equipment, etc) • Farmers dislike bankers, railroad companies (charging farmers more than manufactures) • Cannot pay back loans if crops fail • Farmers organize an effort

  4. Farmers Alliance • National Grange: education, fellowship, support (books on planting, livestock raising) • Cash Only Cooperatives: farmers buy products from each other (removes credit buying) • Farmers Alliance: networks of organizations in West and South in 1880’s • Federal gov stores farmers’ crops in warehouses and lend $ to farmers • When crops sold,farmers pay back loans (regional differences tore them apart) • Alliance leaders become active in political campaignsformed populist party

  5. Populist Gains • Lose to Grover Cleveland (D) in 1892….election of 1896 populist party put forth William Jennings Bryan and Tom Watson for VP but William McKinley(R) wins election because of the improving economic conditions • Populist message was no longer urgent • Populist succeed in lowering work day, introducing income tax….

  6. Progressive Movement • Reformers/progressives belived that society needed to changeindividuals can make that happen • Focused on urban problems, government, and big business (govt and businesses are taking advantage of people)

  7. Corruption • Political machines: powerful organizations linked to political parties (Controlled local government) • Political Boss: machine representative who controlled jobs and services (dishonest, did favors in exchange for votes) • Corrupt Politicans: accepted bribes (overlook city housing code) knew the city and how to make $$ off of it

  8. Tweed • William Tweed: AKA“Boss Tweed” • NYC democratic political machine in 1860’s and 70’s • Controlled police, newspapers, etc. • Made millions off of illegal payments (companies doing business with city) • Cartoonist Thomas Nastexposes him and Tweed is sent to prison in 72

  9. Progressive Efforts • National Municipal League (Philadelphia): worked to make city government honest • VP Chester Arthur (Civil Service Commission):Competitive exams for federal government positionseliminates spoils system • Sherman Anti-Trust Act • Interstate Commerce Act: required railroads to change to reasonable rates

  10. Efforts Cont. • Government effort to regulate industry • Aimed to help those who lacked $$ and influence • Investigative reports shedding light on problemsMuckrakers • Upton Sinclair: The JungleFood and Drug Act • Ida Tarbell: warned of oil company’s power • VOTERS GET MORE POLITICAL POWER: 17th amendment: direct election of senators( gives people a voice in selecting their reps)

  11. Women and Progressives • Technology making housework easier • Women gaining higher education • Careers in teaching, nurses, medicine • 1910: 7.5 million women working outside of the home • The “New Woman” (up to date, education, jobs)

  12. Women’s Clubs • Cultural activitiesmiddle class began trying to help working class • Offered self improvement (typing, etc.) • African American women establish their own clubs : National Association of colored women • Hospitals, homes for orphans

  13. Fight for Suffrage • Seneca Falls Convention (pre civil war) called for the right to vote • After Civil War: women’s suffrage= the right to vote • Elizabeth Stanton, Susan B. Anthony create National Woman Suffrage Associationcalls for women to vote in national elections

  14. Opposition to Suffrage • Protest-upset society’s natural balancedivorce, neglected children • Women such as Jane Addams (settlement houses) speak out against thishumor • By 1919 women could vote in some elections in 39 out of 48 states • Women would protest in front of White House(banners, hunger strikesarrested for blocking sidewalk (1917) Woodrow Wilson would not support women’s suffrage

  15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO70ZjZ0wrw Iron Jawed Angels

  16. Tide is Turning • 1917: NY and Illinois give women right to vote • Congress begins debating issue • 1919: Wilson agrees to support an amendment • 19th amendment: women suffrage (1920 women are able to participate in presidential election for the first time)

  17. Other contributions • Working to help immigrants • Labor of women and children • Regulation of food industry • Womens Trade Union League: working women forming labor unions, $$ for striking workers, and for bail • Anti-alcohol movement (temperance) grows steadily • 18th amendment: Prohibition law= illegal to make, transport, or sell alcohol

More Related