Progressivism

1. Progressivism Essential Question: Was Progressivism simply a later extension of populism or was it a unique reform movement? Alexandria, Aren, Brian, Deana, Jason, Luke, Mike

2. Progressivism • Aimed to return control of the government to the people, restore economic opportunities and correct injustices in American life • Four goals of Progressivism: • Protecting social welfare • Promoting moral improvement • Creating economic reform • Fostering efficiency

3. Muckrakers • Journalists who wrote about the corrupt side of business in mass circulation magazines during the early 20th century • Purpose in publication was to advocate reform and change • Investigative journalists viewed the muckrakers as early influences • Examples of Muckrakers: • Julius Chambers • Ida M. Tarbell • Nellie Bly • Helen Hunt Jackson • Henry Demarest Lloyd

4. Muckrakers What is the artist of this political cartoon trying to depict?

5. Muckrakers • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwV2lWOgX1M *warning- the guy’s voice may seem annoying to most people, dogs, fish and squirrels*

6. Reforming local Governments • Commission System – group of experts runs the city; each expert takes charge of a different city department • By 1917, about 500 cities had commission forms of city government • Council-manager form of government • By 1925, nearly 250 cities had managers; managers were appointed by councils elected by the people • Progressive Mayors • Improved cities without changing their system of government; put in such reforms as fairer tax systems and lower public transportation fees

7. Reforming state governments • Progressive governors – passed laws to regulate railroads, mines, telephone companies and other large businesses • Robert M. La Follette – governor of Wisconsin – led the way in regulating big business • reforms of railway industry taxed railroad property at the same rate as other business property • Set up a commission to regulate rates and forbade railroads to issue free passes to state officials • Improved conditions in the workplace and end the employment of children • banning child labor on the state level (not federal law) • Set maximum hours for all workers • Muller v. Oregon Case

8. Reforming state governments • Initiative- gives voters themselves the right to propose a law • Referendum- voters could accept or reject the initiative by a direct vote on the initiative • Recall- voters had the right to recall (they could force a government official to face another election) • Direct Primary System – voters, instead of political machines, would choose candidates for public office through a special popular election • Led to the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment – called for senators to be elected directly by the people instead of by state lawmakers

9. Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal • Roosevelt saw the presidency as a “bully pulpit” from which he could influence the news media and shape legislation. If big business victimized workers, then President Roosevelt would see to it that the common people received what he would call a Square Deal. • Square Deal – used to describe the various progressive reforms in the Roosevelt administration • Examples of the progressive reforms Theodore Roosevelt used: • 1902 Coal Strike • Trust-busting • Railroad regulation • Protection of people’s health • Protection of environment • Civil Rights (lack of reform of civil rights)

10. Theodore Roosevelt’s Square deal • What is the significance of this political cartoon? • Who do you think is portrayed as the man?

11. Was progressivism simply a later extension of populism or was it a unique reform movement?