The Progressive Era(1890 – 1920)

Fall & Winter 2013Harrison Career Center

Mr. Leasure

The Progressive Era (1890 – 1920) Unit Objective

• I will examine the nation’s social and political problems at the turn of the 20th century and the ways people worked to solve them.

Roosevelt and Progressivism

Roosevelt and Progressivism Student Objectives• I will identify the goals of the progressive movement.

• I will analyze Theodore Roosevelt’s “square deal”.

• I will evaluate Roosevelt’s qualities as an activist POTUS.

• I will summarize Roosevelt’s conservation policies.

Roosevelt and Progressivism Main Idea• Reformers tried to solve the problems of the cities. They gained a

champion in President Theodore Roosevelt.

• Many of the reforms of the Progressive Era have had an effect in America Today.

Roosevelt and Progressivism Key Terms1. Progressivism – An early 20th century reform movement seeking to

return control of the government to the people, to restore economic opportunities, and to correct injustices in American life.

2. Muckraker – The term for journalist who exposed corruption in American society around 1900.

Roosevelt and Progressivism Key Terms3. Direct Primary – Voters, rather than party conventions, choose

candidates to run for public office.

4. Initiative – This reform allowed voters to propose a law directly.

5. Referendum – In this reform, a proposed law was submitted to the vote of the people.

6. Recall - This reform allowed people to vote an official out of office.

Roosevelt and Progressivism Key Terms7. Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 – This act made it illegal for

corporations to gain control of an industry by forming trusts.

8. Theodore Roosevelt – The first progressive POTUS.

Roosevelt and Progressivism: Notes

The Rise of Progressivism• The rapid growth of cities and industries in the U.S. at the turn of

the century brought many problems – poverty, slums, and poor conditions in the factories.

• To attack these problems, individuals organized a number of reform movements.

The Rise of Progressivism• These individuals became known as reformers and they were

mostly native born and lower middle class.

• They could be found in either political party. Their reform movements came to be grouped under the label of progressivism.

The Rise of Progressivism• About 1900, a new group of writers began to expose corruption in

American society.

• They were called muckrakers.

• These muckrackers created a public demand for reform.

The Rise of Progressivism• The progressive reformers shared at least one of the three basic

goals:

1. Reform government and expand democracy.2. Promote social welfare.3. Create economic reform.

Reforming Government and Expanding Democracy• In the late 19th century, elected officials often handed out

government jobs and contracts.

• In return, they won political support. This practice is called patronage.

Reforming Government and Expanding Democracy• To combat this practice, the U.S. Congress passed legislation which

required individuals to take a civil service exam for certain government jobs.

• The law also prevented elected officials from firing civil service workers for political reason.

Reforming Government and Expanding Democracy• There were four reforms proposed by Progressives at the start of the

20th century. These reforms include:

1. Direct Primary – Voters, rather than Party Conventions , chose candidates to run for Public Office.

2. Initiative – This reform allowed voters to propose a law directly.3. Referendum – A proposed law was submitted to the vote of the

people.4. Recall – This allowed people to vote an official out of office.

Promoting Social Welfare

• This goal addressed such problems as poverty, unemployment, and poor working conditions.

• Leaders in these movements promoted many social-welfare reforms.

• Progressive reformers pushed for minimum wage laws and limits on women’s working hours.

Promoting Social Welfare

• Another group of reformers who wanted to improve social welfare were the prohibitionists.

• They worked to prevent alcohol from ruining people’s lives.

Creating Economic Reform

• The third progressive goal was to create economic reform. This meant limiting the power of big business and regulating its activities.

• By the late 1800’s, business leaders in some major industries had formed trusts.

• This is a combination of businesses who work together to cut prices and squeeze out competitors.

Creating Economic Reform

• This is a combination of businesses who work together to cut prices and squeeze out competitors.

• Then the trusts would raise prices and make larger profits.

Creating Economic Reform

• The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 made it illegal for corporations to gain control of industries by forming trusts.

• However, the POTUS did not enforce the law at first. Enforcement required a strong POTUS.