the progressive era 1877-1920. problems due to urbanization and industrialization: povertyslumsbad...
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The Progressive Era
1877-1920
Problems due to urbanization and industrialization:
Poverty Slums Bad working conditions
Corrupt government + people have little say
Monopolies and trusts
Child labor
4 major areas that needed reforms and goals:
Social –promote well being of society
Economic- create economic reform
Political- reform gov’t & expand democracy
Environmental-conserve and preserve
Fighting CorruptionIn Government
Problem Solution or reformPolitical Machines: controlled –Reformers attempted jobs and services in many to break power by cities; often dishonest- working to make cityaccepted bribes and gov’ts more honest andkickbacks. efficient
Boss Tweed- Headed NYC political machine known as Tammany Hall
William Marcy Tweed: Tammany Hall
Problem Solution or reformThe Spoils System President Hayes (1877-(patronage)
1881) and President • rewarded jobs and favors Garfield(1881): tried to political supporters. unsuccessfully to change this.
President Arthur: Pendleton Act- Congress
establishes Civil Service Commission to give examinations for federal jobs.
Controlling Business The Economy
Problems Solution or Reform
Trusts and Monopolies
-Limit power of big business & regulate activitiesSherman Antitrust Act was passed in 1890 to control trusts and monopolies.
Railroads (oligopolies)
The Interstate Commerce Act, passed in 1887, required railroads to charge and publish “reasonable and just rates”
TariffsLower tariffs to decrease the price of goods.
New Reformers
Socialism – Eugene V. Debs government should own and operate major industries on behalf of all people.
Progressivism End injustice and solve social problems /regulate industry
The Muckrakers- reporters who exposed problems
Lincoln Steffans
Thomas Nast
Exposed political machines in cities
cartoons exposing political machines
Ida Tarbell Wrote articles on big businesses and trusts
Upton Sinclair Wrote The Jungle- exposed horrors of meatpacking industry
Outcome: Meat Inspection Act & Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
Jacob Riis
Lewis Hines
How the Other Half Lives – exposed problems of poverty and slumsPhotos of child labor
Nellie Bly Wrote account of abuse in mental hospitals
Reform of GovernmentGoal: to increase the people’s direct control of
government
Robert La Follette Direct Primary-party (Wisconsin) candidates chosen by voters
instead of conventions The Oregon System Initiative-voters place issue
on ballotReferendum- voters could accept or reject measures enacted by state legislaturesRecall- voters may remove incompetent elected officials
• Constitutional Changes– Seventeenth Amendment:1912- set forth the direct election of senators (in the old way, state legislatures chose senators)