Progressive Reform

1901-1918

Why Progressivism?19th Century Problems

Disparity of Wealth

Social Upheaval

Increasing division among social groups

Nativism and Racism

Growing demand for social reform

Failure of Government Institutions

Unable to bring reform

Serious corruption

Why Progressivism?Progressivism has mass appeal

Unlike Populism

Focus on emotional issues (child labor, etc.)

Reforms target urban issues

Primarily lead by urban middle class

Extremely affluent population (wealthier than 90% of the world)

Educated

Available leisure time

Women play a prominent role

Strong political voice

Motivated

Influenced by popular literature/journalism “muckrakers”

• Why did the middle class have so much to lose as opposed to other groups if the current system did not change?

State/Local reformUrban political machines were targets of reform

Corruption led to tremendous government waste

Attempt to apply scientific management to gov.

State/local gov. carefully monitored spending

More money now available for social programs

Direct democracy put more power in the hands of voters

Initiative/Referendum

Recall

Progressive governors brought major change at state level

Bob LaFollette (Wisc)

Model for national reform

Hiram Johnson (CA)

Four Goals of Progressivism

1. Protect Social Welfare

2. Promote Moral Improvement

3. Create Economic Reform

4. End Government Waste/Corruption

The Progressive EraRepresented a dramatic shift in government

People began to look to gov. to solve their problems

Rejection of unrestrained capitalism

Progressives did not intend to destroy system only to increase government intervention

Lead primarily by activist Presidents at national level

Starting with T. Roosevelt in 1901

Brings the presidency into the modern era

President more powerful than Congress

T. Roosevelt (1901-1909)Pragmatic leader

Roosevelt’s strength: his ability to control public opinion

“Bully pulpit”

Favored increasing regulation of business

Portrayed as a “trustbuster”

Immediately attacks RR trust (Northern Securities)

Revival of antitrust laws

1902 Coal Miner’s Strike

Worked as a mediator to bring strike to an end

Added enforcement powers

Elkins Act

Hepburn Act

Roosevelt believe in the Square Deal: Business and labor should be treated fairly by federal gov.

T. Roosevelt (1901-1909)Favored increasing consumer protections

Meat Inspection Act

Prompted by Sinclair’s The Jungle

Pure Food and Drug Act

Advocate of conservationist policies

Public land for national parks/reserves

Created National Forest Service

Lead by Gifford Pinchot (multiuse approach)

Deeply personal issue

W. Taft (1909-1913)Taft was Roosevelt’s appointed successor

Taft was never as effective as TR

Lacked TR’s charisma and forceful personality

More prolific trust buster than TR but received little credit

Taft was closely tied to the “old guard” of the Rep. party

Passed Payne Aldrich Tariff helping business

Angered Progressive factions of his party

Had a falling out with TR

Ballinger Pinchot controversy

Lead to TR’s decision to challenge Taft in 1912

Election of 1912Major split occurs in Republican Party

“Old Guard” Republicans able to nominate Taft

TR runs as a Progressive (“Bull Moose” Party)

Republican majority split by third party

Democrat, Wilson easily wins election

Socialist Debs receives 900k votes

Progressive candidates receive approx. 77% of the vote

Voters clearly favored reform

Wilson’s New Freedom defeats TR’s New Nationalism

More strict treatment of trusts with Wilson

W. Wilson (1913-1921)Skillful politician and uncompromising idealist as President

Tariff Reform

Underwood Simmons tariff lowered rates

Banking Reform

Modernizes the banking and currency system

Federal Reserve Act

Corporate regulation

Establishes Federal Trade Comission

Clayton Antitrust Act

Worker protection laws

Keating Owen Act

Workmen’s Compensation Act

W. Wilson (1913-1921)Wilson over saw the passage of four Progressive

Amendments to the Constitution

16th Amendment (1913)

Allows federal income tax

17th Amendment (1913)

Direct election of Senators

18th Amendment (1918)

Prohibition

19th Amendment (1920)

Women’s Suffrage*

• Where did the Progressives fall short?

• What’s next?