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Politics & Progressivism. Government Reforms. Fighting corruption Making government more connected to the voters Bringing professional to politics (city mangers) Initiative (Populists) Referendum (Populists) Direct primary Recall. Robert La Follette. Gov. of Wisconsin
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Government Reforms • Fighting corruption • Making government more connected to the voters • Bringing professional to politics (city mangers) • Initiative (Populists) • Referendum (Populists) • Direct primary • Recall
Robert La Follette • Gov. of Wisconsin • “Laboratory of Progressivism”
Theodore Roosevelt • Myth – progressive reformer • Reality – more of a conservative interested in expanding presidential power • Not willing to be controlled by the Republican Party • Moderate
TR & the Role of the Government • Mediator • More of a trust regulator than a “trust buster” • Department of Commerce & Labor • Sherman Anti-Trust Act • Northern Securities Company (1904) • Arbitration of Strikes • United Mine Workers (1902)
The Square Deal • Hepburn Railroad Regulation • Pure Food and Drug Act • Meat Inspection Act • Proposed – 8hr work day • “a chicken in every pot”
Conservation • Government land in the West • Gifford Pinchot • National Forest Service • Newlands Act (dams, reservoirs, and canals in the West)
Preservation • National Park System • Created Yellowstone National Park
Election of 1908 • TR takes a few on the chin • Panic of 1907 • “the promise of 1904” • Too radical?
Election of 1908 • A reluctant TR • Taft’s wife issues • Taft – choice of the Party • TR’s choice • A SAD VICTORY
Taft – Failed Compromise • Tried to pick the middle road b/t progressives & conservatives and made no one happy • TR felt betrayed by Taft and became publically critical
Election of 1912 • Nasty primaries for the Republicans • The Old Guard gave the nomination to Taft • Democrats – Wilson • The Progressive Party – TR (aka Bull Moose Party) • The third party ensured the victory for the DEMOCRATS!
Wilson’s New Freedom • Progressive – after the trusts • Expanded presidential power • Federal Reserve Act – reform of the banking system – more flexible and reliable system of supplying banks & the nation with paper money • Some changes BUT derailed by World War I and a stroke