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The Progressive Era was a response to the social and political issues of the Gilded Age. Muckrakers like Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell exposed corruption and unsatisfactory working conditions, driving public demand for reform. Theodore Roosevelt, America’s first progressive president, championed laws protecting consumers and workers, initiated trust-busting, and advocated for conservation. His actions led to the establishment of the FDA and the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. Understanding these elements is crucial to grasping the significance of this transformative period in American history.
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Unit 6: Progressive Era OHS History Team
Learning Objectives • Explain the roles played by muckrakers • Explain the roles of progressive idealists • Analyze the progressive achievements of Theodore Roosevelt
Big Concepts • Progressives were Americans hoping to fix the many problems of the Gilded Age. • They were activists, writers, and politicians • Muckrakers were writers and journalists who wrote about the many problems in society. • Their writings helped create positive change and reform • Theodore Roosevelt was the first “progressive” president • Roosevelt passed laws to protect American consumers • Roosevelt broke up some powerful trusts and monopolies
Vocabulary • Yellow = MUST COPY • Green = Copy if you have time
Muckraker • reform-minded American journalists • attacked established institutions and leaders as corrupt • Writings published in magazines
Upton Sinclair • Muckraker who wrote “The Jungle” • Exposed the terrible working conditions • Meat packing factories in Chicago • Unsafe food
Ida Tarbell • Muckraker • Wrote “History of Standard Oil” • Criticized John D. Rockefeller’s and Standard Oil’s ruthless business tactics
Lincoln Steffens • Muckraker • Wrote “Shame of the Cities” • Attacked political machines and political corruption
Robert M. La Follette • Progressive Governor • “Wisconsin Idea” • More political power to the voter • Helped workers • Regulate big business • Direct Primary – voters select candidates
President Theodore Roosevelt • First Modern President • Actively used office to fix problems • Progressive President • Becomes president when McKinley is killed
Square Deal • TR promised the American people a fair treatment • Support the working class more
“Trust Busting” • TR uses the Sherman Antitrust Act to go after powerful businesses • Breaks up JP Morgan’s Northern Securities (Railroad Trust)
Pure Food and Drug Act Food and drugs must be properly labelled Ingredients listed New Government Agency – Food and Drug Administration
Meat Inspection Act • Caused by “The Jungle” • Federal meat inspectors
Conservation • TR believed in protecting the natural environment from big business • Listened to environmentalist John Muir • Protected 230 million acres of public land • National Forests
Chronology Timeline 1905 – Sinclair publishes “The Jungle” 1902 – TR breaks up Northern Securities 1900 – Robert Follette “Wisconsin Idea” 1901- Theodore Roosevelt becomes President 1904 – Tarbell publishes “History Standard Oil” 1906 – Pure Food and Drug Act passed 1906 – Meat Inspection Act passed 1904 – Steffen’s publishes “Shame of the Cities”
