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Reform Movements . Post Civil War Progressivism and Conservatism. Because of new technology, farmers were growing increasing amounts of food. As supplies grew, prices fell Railroad transport and new machinery was expensive Farmers formed the Populist Party to address their problems. .
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Reform Movements Post Civil War Progressivism and Conservatism
Because of new technology, farmers were growing increasing amounts of food. • As supplies grew, prices fell • Railroad transport and new machinery was expensive • Farmers formed the Populist Party to address their problems. Farmers and the rise of Populism
Goals: • Government should adopt free silver policy to back currency with silver, not gold • More money in circulation, crop prices would increase • Government ownership of railroads • Shorter working hours • Joined the Democratic Party in 1896 because democratic presidential candidate, • William Jennings Bryan supported the free silver policy. Populist Party
Progressivism: A varied set of reform movements designed to counter social problems resulting From rapid industrial growth in cities. 3 Goals of Progressivism: Reform Government and expand democracy through initiative, referendum and recall. Initiatives and referendums allow voters to pass laws without going through legislation and recall allows voters to vote an elected official out of office. (Scott Walker-governor of Wisconsin) Emergence of Progressivism
2. Promote Social Welfare regarding poverty, unemployment. slums and poor working conditions. Women played a large role in this goal as they fought to improve their own status as well and helped to pass the 19th Amendment granting suffrage to women. Jane Addams established settlement houses to help with daycare, education and health care for the poor. She worked to establish juvenile courts, housing codes, factory safety inspections, and worker’s compensation. Progressivism
3. Create Economic Reform: • Limiting the power of big businesses and regulating their activities. • Sherman Anti-trust Act of 1890 made it illegal for corporations to form trusts: • Combinations of businesses that could control a market and squeeze out competition. Progressivism
Theodore Roosevelt: • Saw government as an empire whose purpose was to ensure fairness • and a “square deal” for workers, consumers and businesses. • Broke up “trusts” • Regulated the meat packing industry • Created the Food and Drug Act • Conservation programs • Doubled the amount of National Parks Progressive Presidents
William Howard Taft: • Considered to be a conservative but supported progressive causes. • Pursued twice as many anti-trust cases as Roosevelt • Passed 2 Progressive amendments: • *16th Amendment: congress has the power to establish income taxes • *17th Amendment: Direct election of senators by voters in each state. Progressive Presidents
Woodrow Wilson • Clayton Anti Trust Act: law that banned business practices that • reduced competition. • Federal Reserve Act: 1913-Reformed the nation’s financial system and improved • the monetary and banking system. With all the progressive reforms one issue was left unaddressed: Improving life for African Americans. Progressive Presidents
A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing Established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically: such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs. (as retirement income or health-care coverage) Conservatism
“Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Ronald Reagan 1960’s -1970’s saw Democratic presidents such as Johnson and Carter, favoring a Strong role for government in the economy such as regulation of big business, support For organized labor and public spending on the poor. 1980-Ronald Reagan is elected and cuts spending on social programs and increased military spending. He pushed pro business economic policies and abolished many government regulations on business. After 2 years, the economy sharply improved. The Rise of Conservatism