The Progressive Movement

Learning Objective

• Explain the origins and the problems the Progressive movement sought to change

Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century

• 1) Trusts– Namely Standard Oil, J.P Morgan and his

consolidated businesses, especially U.S. Steel in 1901

• 2) Reliance on big business/Corporations for consumer goods– Urban consumers were getting their food, relying

on “patent medicines”– All consumers are struggling with inflation -

blamed on the monopolies

Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century

• 3) Lost of faith in Government– Political machines running government, government

was being ran for profit instead of public interest

• 4) Farmers, Blacks, and Women– Farmers: credit was in short supply, amenities far

behind urban life– Blacks: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established

legal segregation as long as it was equal (supposely); lynched, discrimation all over America

– Women: more women going to college, but jobs and haven’t changed, and women can’t vote

Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century

• 5) plight of workers, immigrants, and slum dwellers– Horrible living and working conditions

• 6) Environment– No regard for environment - just “exploit

the resources” attitude

Who were the Progressives?

• Typically, white, middle class professionals who wanted to solve America’s problems

Development of the Muckrakers

• People who exposed problems and corruption to Public eyes through expose journalism– Lincoln Steffens - The

Shame of the Cities (City gov.t)

– Ida Tarbell - History of the Standard Oil Company (Rockefeller’s Business practices)

– Upton Sinclair - The Jungle (Meat packing Industry)

RAP: The Jungle

• Select one topic from the below list, and draw a symbol to represent the topic, and then write a complete sentence explaining the symbol.– Meat packing/killing process– Plights of workers– Scandals/other industries and inventions– Sausage making

Dealing with Workers’ issues:

• Worst tragedy of the decade was the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire (1911)

• Labor Unions struggled until 1902 Coal Miners Strike; Pres. Teddy Roosevelt sided with the workers; First time gov.t helped labor unions!!

• Child Labor laws were first passed during Woodrow Wilson’s administartion

Dealing with Consumer Fraud:

• Department of Commerce and Labor (1903): goal was to keep businesses and industry open to public scrutiny

• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): barred use of harmful additives in foods and forbade misleading advertisement

Dealing with Business Practices

• T. Roosevelt known as “Trustbuster;” broke up those that abused power and acted irresponsibly

• Wilson - Federal Trade Commission (1914); prevented large companies from destroying small ones

• Clayton Antitrust Act: prohibited pricing policies and outlawed buying competitor’s stock

Dealing with Political Corruption

• Steps taken to control Political machines (network of men who influence gov.t through bribes and favors):– Primary elections (more chances for people to chose

candidates)– Intiatives and referendums– Ability to have recall elections– 1913 - Passage of the 17th Amendment: Direct election of

Senators– 1920 - Passage of 19th Amendment: women’s suffrage

Dealing with Wilderness Conservation

• T. Roosevelt set aside 5 areas as designated National Wilderness areas; eventually became the first national parks

Forgotten People

• W.E.B. DuBois led new organization called National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

• 1914 - had national membership of 6,000 people and offices in 50 cities

WIO: Progressives

• Rank the 6 problems in order of importance (in your opinion). Then, using your #1 problem, evaluate how effective the progressives were at dealing with that problem. Explain in a paragraph.

“Meet the Press” Poster• 1) In your group, make sure you have your

biographical briefing information and a mask for your character

• 2) On the poster, include information in the following categories:– Background information (early life of person)– Actions taken and special causes as a Progressive– Lasting impact– Add a visual (besides the head)