7-3: The Progressive Era, II

Growth expanded opportunity, while economic instability led to new efforts to reform U.S. society and its economic system.

In the Progressive Era of the early 20th century, progressives responded to political corruption, economic instability, and social concerns by calling for greater government action and political and social measures.

Political Reform in the NationTheodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”◦ The “Bully Pulpit”

◦ Presidency as media platform

◦ Advocate ideas

◦ Set political agenda

◦ Pressure Congress

◦ Labor◦ Arbitration for coal strike

◦ Reversed Gilded Age precedent

◦ Intervened on side of labor

Political Reform in the NationTheodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”◦ Trust-busting

◦ Evaluated trusts as good or bad

◦ Breakup of Northern Securities Company (J.P. Morgan)

◦ Railroad Regulation◦ Extended regulatory powers of the

Interstate Commerce Commission

Political Reform in the NationTheodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”◦ Consumer Protection

◦ Pure Food and Drug Act

◦ Meat Inspection Act

◦ Conservation◦ Advocated protection of natural resources

and wildlife

◦ U.S. Forest Service, National Parks

Political Reform in the NationTaft’s Presidency◦ Reversal of Progressivism

◦ Administrative, not political

◦ Opposition to conservation

◦ Support for moderate tariff

◦ Too lower for Republicans/industrialists

◦ Too high for Democrats/progressives

◦ Split in the Republican Party◦ “Old Guard” conservatives

◦ “Insurgent” progressives

Political Reform in the NationElection of 1912◦ Candidates

◦ Roosevelt (Bull Moose/Progressive)

◦ Taft (Republican/Old Guard)

◦ Woodrow Wilson (Democrat/Progressive)

◦ Results◦ Democrats win presidency and Congress

◦ Republicans shift away from progressivism to become more conservative

Political Reform in the NationWoodrow Wilson’s Progressive Program◦ “New Freedom”

◦ Vigorous reforms

◦ Assault on tariffs, banks, and trusts

◦ Big business immoral—break up rather than regulate

◦ Tariff Reduction◦ Less fear of competition

◦ Income Tax

Political Reform in the NationWoodrow Wilson’s Progressive Program◦ Banking Reform

◦ Federal Reserve Board created

◦ Central banking structure

◦ Regulates money in circulation

◦ Adjusts interest rates

◦ Federal Reserve notes backed by commercial paper and gold

◦ Currency would expand and contract with the volume of business activity

Political Reform in the NationWoodrow Wilson’s Progressive Program◦ Business Regulation

◦ Clayton Anti-trust Act

◦ No investments in competing corporations

◦ Outlawed price-fixing

◦ Exempted unions

◦ Federal Trade Commission

◦ Prevents unfair business practices

◦ Keating-Owens Act

◦ Child labor laws

African Americans in the Progressive EraTwo Approaches◦ Booker T. Washington—Economics

◦ Seek economic opportunities

◦ Accommodation to white society

◦ Self-help and industrial education

◦ W.E.B. DuBois—Civil Rights◦ Full political and social equality

◦ Focus on integration rather than separatism

◦ Development of “talented tenth”

Civil Rights Organizations◦ Niagara Movement and NAACP

◦ Use of courts to achieve equality

African Americans in the Progressive EraResurgence of the Ku Klux Klan◦ The Birth of a Nation--depicted as

heroic

◦ Favored white supremacy and immigration restriction

Outcome◦ Civil rights not a part of

progressivism

◦ Wilson segregated executive branch

Women, Suffrage, and ProgressivismThe Campaign for Women’s Suffrage◦ Strong leadership (Anthony, Paul)

◦ State gains

◦ 19th Amendment (1920)

Other Issues◦ Family

◦ Parents more supportive, less authoritative

◦ Public aid to mothers in some states

◦ Work◦ Most women still worked in the home

Assessing the Progressive EraWeaknesses and Disappearance◦ Material progress weakened zeal

◦ Courts struck down legislation

◦ Continued business influence

◦ Outbreak of World War I

Heritage◦ Trust-busting

◦ Role of government to act for the people’s welfare

◦ Regulation instead of laissez-faire