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The Progressive Era

Explore the Progressive Era and the efforts to reform government, including the fight against corruption and President Roosevelt's Square Deal. Learn about city and state government reforms, political machines, and Teddy Roosevelt's regulatory actions and conservation efforts.

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The Progressive Era

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  1. The Progressive Era Reforming Government President Roosevelt and the Square Deal

  2. City and State Government Reforms • widespread corruption existed in state and local governments • Political “Machines”-Powerful organizations that were linked to political parties; controlled local governments in many cities

  3. Districts or wards within cities were controlled by political “Bosses” • Boss gained votes for their parties by giving out government jobs and services • Many accepted bribes and kickbacks from contactors doing work for the city • Used there knowledge of city plans to make money for themselves and friends • Boss Tweed- the head of the Democratic political machine in New York City

  4. Tammany Hall • The NYC Democratic Party controlled by Boss Tweed operated out of Tammany Hall

  5. Thomas Nast’s Depiction of Boss Tweed Nast was a cartoonist who used his drawings to expose corruption by Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

  6. The cartoon above was titled The Tammany Tiger Loose "What are you going to do about it?"

  7. City Reforms • City commissions were created to replace mayors and city councils • City managers (non-political professional managers) were hired to run small cities

  8. State Reforms • Direct Primary allowed voters to choose who represented political parties in elections

  9. State Reforms • Created Civil Service tests in order to qualify for government jobs

  10. State Reforms • Election reforms to bring more democracy to voters • Initiative- allowed 5% of voters to “initiate” laws in state legislatures • Referendum- in some states voters could then vote on whether initiatives should be come laws • Recall- by petition voters could force an official to stand for re-election at any time

  11. Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal • Republican; became President in 1901 • Ran for president 1904 on platform of equal treatment an fairness for all (square deal) • Used the power of the presidency to fight those who thought were hurting American interests at home

  12. Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal • Used the government to regulate big business • Coal Strike- Mine owners refused to deal with union in a 1902 strike. T.R. summoned owners and union to white house and threatened to use the U.S. army to keep the mines open. Owners backed down • Created the Food and Drug Administration • Used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to breakup monopolies • Added Departments of Labor and Commerce to the presidential cabinet

  13. Started the Conservation Movement and National Park System • Protected millions of acres of land from being sold to private individuals • Required the planting of trees when trees were harvested by lumber companies • Created wildlife sanctuaries • Protected natural resources

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