AP US History Unit 7

1. AP US History Unit 7 The Progressive Era

2. Focus Your Reading: • The Progressive Movement as a phase in the liberalism of the Twentieth Century. • Grass Roots and Government reformers that attempted to address the abuses and deficiencies in American life at the local, state, and federal levels. • Important Acts of Congress as part reforms addressing business, the environment, and the economy. • Women and African Americans that organized to improve their condition and status, and the long-term successes or failures of their efforts.

3. Introduction to Progressivism • By 1900 the U.S. was a major world power, driven by aggressive foreign policy and rapidly developing industry. • Life was definitely good for those in the upper class of American Society: 4% of the nation’s population owned 80% of the nation’s wealth. • Industrialization had shifted the American worker from a skilled artisan to just a cog in the machinery of assembly line technology. • Farmers were losing their land to rising debt, children were forced to work to keep the family afloat, women were working in dangerous conditions, and African Americans were facing rampant discrimination in all regions of the country. • One of the major accomplishments of Industrialization was the rise of the Middle Class (Professionals, Office Workers, Social Workers, Educators, Government employees) which had traditionally taken up the cause of social reform. • Driven by altruism and, in many cases, effected themselves by these “social evils” the Middle Class would take the fight to the Industrial Class during what became known as the Progressive Era.

4. Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century • Where does the Progressive Movement fit amongst the other major themes of Liberalism in the Twentieth Century? • What does the term liberalism mean, how have opponents generally attempted to radicalize this concept? • What is characteristic of Economic, Political, and Social Reform?

5. Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century • Where does the Progressive Movement fit amongst the other major themes of Liberalism in the Twentieth Century? • It is important to see the Progressive Movement as a “phase” in a line of liberal reforms through the course of the Twentieth Century. • The Progressive Movement: 1900-1920 • Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson • The New Deal: 1933-1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt • The Fair Deal: 1945-1953 • Harry S. Truman • The New Frontier: 1961-1963 • John F. Kennedy • The Great Society: 1963-1969 • Lyndon B. Johnson

6. Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century • What does the term liberalism mean, how have opponents generally attempted to radicalize this concept? • The term liberal is often misused to label anything that deals with reform or progressivism. • Liberalism is based in the true expression of American democracy and was formulated by Thomas Jefferson and advanced by Andrew Jackson. • True liberalism seeks an alliance between the public and the government to seek equilibrium between the consumer/worker/farmer and the corporation. • Reforms and Reform Movements typically have two objectives: • Alleviate short-term economic, political, and social problems. • To fundamentally change existing economic, political, and social systems to effect long-term stability.

7. Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century • What is characteristic of Economic, Political, and Social Reform? • Economic Reform • Reforms that seek to control corporate behavior and check the abuses practiced by large corporations • Regulation of Big Business • Political Reform • Extend or protect the political rights of previously disenfranchised people. • Make public officials more accountable to the public • Attack corruption, waste, and abuses of power by political officials. • Social Reform • Reforms that seek to protect and promote the human and social rights of deprived groups in society.

8. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • What is the definition of the “progressive movement”, what were its components, and was the overall objective of the movement? • What role did the Social Gospel Movement play in the Progressive Movement? • Who were the “Muckrakers”?

9. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • What is the definition of the “progressive movement”, what were its components, and was the overall objective of the movement? • The “Progressives” were a coalition of reformers that believed that humanity and the institutions created by humans could be perfected. • Progressives rejected Monopoly Capitalism/Laissez-Faire Economics, corruption in government, and abuse of the worker/farmer/consumer. • They supported intervention by the federal/state/local governments in regulating big business and fighting corruption and abuse.

11. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • What role did the Social Gospel Movement play in the Progressive Movement? • Led by Walter Rauschenbusch, the Social Gospel mixed Protestantism and humanitarianism. • They believed it was their Christian duty to be concerned about the plight of the poor and the immigrant and to take steps to improve their lives. • Important Social Gospel reformers included: • The Salvation Army provided material and spiritual assistance to the Urban poor. • Situated in one of Chicago’s worst neighborhoods was Hull House, founded by Jane Addams. Settlement Houses like these provided education, childcare, job training, and recreational opportunities for the urban poor.

13. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • Who were the “Muckrakers”? • These were investigative journalists that wrote stories exposing corruption, abuses by the Corporations, and inequalities in society. • Their name was based on a character from The Pilgrim’s Progress who spent all his days mired in the muck, doggedly refusing to see the beauty that was all around him. • They were given their name by President Theodore Roosevelt (a Progressive, but proponent of business) who believed they were sensationalizing their stories to draw readership (ironically, Roosevelt seemed to have no qualms about playing along with the Yellow Press when it suited his imperialist desires).

16. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • Who were the “Muckrakers”? • Jacob Riis • Published How The Other Half Lives in 1890 stirring public outrage over the living conditions of New York City’s urban poor and street orphans. • Ida Tarbell • Her attacks on the abuses of the Standard Oil Company (History of the Standard Oil Company) were so effective that the company was successfully prosecuted in Court in 1911. • Frank Norris • Published The Octopus detailing corrupt politicians conspiring with the powerful Southern Pacific Railroad to exploit California farmers. • Lincoln Steffens • Exposed municipal (city government) corruption in New York City in his work The Shame of the Cities in 1904.

19. Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives • Who were the “Muckrakers”? • Upton Sinclair • Authored a book titled The Jungle in which he exposed gruesome working conditions and tainted meat coming from the meatpacking plants of Chicago. • Sinclair hoped to inspire outrage and horrify the American public into taking action. • His hope-on-hope was to create support for Socialism, although that dream failed his work did lead to important legislation: • The Pure Food and Drug Act, which created the Food and Drug Administration, forces testing of products, truth in labeling, and standards for inspection of food/drug production and distribution facilities. • The Meat Inspection Act, which forced the inspection of meatpacking facilities.

21. Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems • How did government at the local and city levels change during the Progressive Movement? • How did Reform-minded Governors effect change at the State level? • What were the components of the “Wisconsin Idea”?

22. Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems • How did government at the local and city levels change during the Progressive Movement? • Home-rule Charters gave the cities greater flexibility and authority to create their own plan for government free of State-level corruption. • The National Municipal League conducted fact-finding investigations to determine local government’s role in urban problems and make recommendations to form a model government. • Developed in Dayton, Ohio and Galveston, Texas after natural disasters the City-Council and Commission forms of government placed authority in the hands of small elected groups that would manage the cities like a business with an emphasis on efficiency. The idea was to eliminate partisanship in the running of local municipalities. • Public ownership of utilities (today most municipalities own their own utilities – City of New Bern Utilities). Often referred to as “Gas and Water Socialism”. • Minimum Wage and Maximum Work Hour Laws for City Employees • City Parks, other recreational facilities, and Day-Care programs.

24. Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems • How did Reform-minded Governors effect change at the State level? • New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson, California Governor Hiram Johnson, and New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt were three of the most “progressive”. • Key Legislation included: • Attempts to ban Child Labor • Minimum Wage and Maximum Hour Laws • Workers’ Compensation Plans to pay workers who were disabled on the job. • Building Codes and State Inspections Acts designed to protect workers from hazardous working conditions (Triangle Shirtwaist Fire) • Regulation of the Railroads, Insurance Companies, and Food Industry. • A Graduated Income Tax was placed on businesses replacing the inequitable Fixed Income Tax.

26. Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems • What were the components of the “Wisconsin Idea”? • Robert M. La Follette served Wisconsin as a member of the House of Representatives, U.S. Senator, and Governor (He even made a bid to replace Taft as the Republican nominee for President in 1912 • “Fighting Bob” spear-headed numerous reforms that became known as the “Wisconsin Idea” and became the model for Progressive Reform • A Direct Primary that would give the people, not the political machines, control of nominating political candidates. • Passage of the Corrupt Practices Act that would make politicians liable for prosecution in cases of wrongdoing. • Limits on campaign expenditures (predecessor to the Campaign Finance Reform today) and limits on the activities of lobbyists. • He pushed the utilization of experts, intellectuals, and professionals on special commissions to investigate problems related to conservation, taxes, education, etc.

28. Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents • How did Theodore Roosevelt come to be President of the United States and how was this contrary to the wishes of his own political party? • What were the components of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”? • In 1908 Theodore Roosevelt handed the Presidency over to William Howard Taft. How did Taft fare as a “Progressive”?

29. Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents • How did Theodore Roosevelt come to be President of the United States and how was this contrary to the wishes of his own political party? • Theodore Roosevelt made his name as Assistant Secretary to the Navy and as the organizer of the famous “Roughriders” Cavalry regiment during the Spanish-American War. • The Republican Party was suspicious of his reform-mindedness, but hoped to cash in on his fame. They decided to place him where all political careers went to die (the Vice Presidency). • Of Course, President William McKinley was then assassinated and Theodore Roosevelt came to the White House. • The first major event that he was involved in was the United Mine Workers Strike in 1902. • Roosevelt believed the President should be active in arbitrating disputes between labor and management in important industries. • Coal was crucial to heating American homes and businesses and Roosevelt feared the workers still being on strike when winter struck. • He called leaders to the White House then threatened to use the U.S. Army to take over the Coal Mines and resume production. • The Mine Workers got a 10% wage increase, 9-hour workday, but the Coal Mines never recognized their union officially. • While Roosevelt had supported the Union he fell short of recognizing its existence or its right to collective bargainning.

31. Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents • What were the components of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”? • Theodore Roosevelt promised a program that gave everyone a square (fair) deal that would create equilibrium between the citizens and the corporation. • The Department of Commerce and Labor was created • The Elkins Act required published rate schedules and forbade secret rebates (useful in corruption). • The Bureau of Corporations was created to investigate anti-trust violations. In 1904 they dissolved the Northern Securities Company that controlled nearly all long-haul railway traffic west of Chicago. • The Hepburn Act set a maximum rate for Railroad traffic. • The Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act required that all meatpacking facilities involved in interstate commerce be federally inspected. • Newlands Reclamation Bill added 150 million acres to the National Forest Reserve • Establishment of the Conservation Congress • Appointment of a strong conservationist, Gifford Pinchot, to head the National Forestry Division.

33. Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents • In 1908 Theodore Roosevelt handed the Presidency over to William Howard Taft. How did Taft fare as a “Progressive”? • Theodore Roosevelt was so popular that he was able to, essentially, hand the presidency to his Secretary of State William Howard Taft. • Taft took the following initiatives as a “Progressive” President: • The Mann-Elkins Act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission power over communications (Telegraph/Telephone) • During Taft’s administration he “busted” twice as many trusts as Roosevelt had (including US Steel, the American Tobacco Company, and Standard Oil). His assault on Big Business would be part of the split between he and Theodore Roosevelt (who was most definitely not anti-business). • All in all however, Taft was a failure as a Progressive, disappointing Theodore Roosevelt to the point he decided to come back and run for a 3rd Term with the Bull Moose Party in 1912.

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45. Answer Key

46. Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 • What role did the Taft Presidency have on Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to run for a third term in 1912?What were the goals and objectives of the “Bull Moose” Party (Progressive Party)? • Were there other “radical” elements present in this election? • What ultimately produced a Wilson victory and why was this not a total defeat for “progressivism”?

47. Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 • What role did the Taft Presidency have on Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to run for a third term in 1912? What were the goals and objectives of the “Bull Moose” Party (Progressive Party)? • After becoming President Taft moved closer to the Conservative wing of the Republican Party and was a disappointment to Teddy Roosevelt and to Progressives in general. • Four events split the Republican Party • Taft’s support for the Payne-Aldrich Tariff (a 40% tax on imports) • Taft withdrew support for conservation efforts and opened 1 million acres of land reserved by Teddy Roosevelt for private use. • Taft’s support for the powerful (an very conservative) Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon who sat as Chair of the Rules Committee and decided what Bills would be heard by the House of Representatives. • In a controversy over US Steel’s purchase of a bankrupt company, Roosevelt had promised the government would not prosecute for violation of Anti-Trust Laws since US Steel was taking on loans that would have gone into default. When Taft prosecuted US Steel it was viewed as a betrayal of Roosevelt’s word and integrity. • “Fighting Bob” Lafollette made a move to replace Taft on the Republican ticket. • Roosevelt refused to back Taft or to back replacing him with Lafollette. He decided to form the Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party) and run as a third-party candidate.

49. Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 • Were there other “radical” elements present in this election? • Eugene V. Debs represented the Socialist Party in the election of 1912. • The Socialists supported public ownership of the nation’s resources and industries that were vital to the nation’s economic health. • Debs won 1 million popular votes, but no electoral college votes.