Theodore Roosevelt and Progressivism

1. Theodore Roosevelt and Progressivism Heather McTaggart, Aly Go, Ellie Mamatis

2. Introduction • In the 20th century millions of middle-class Americans joined a new movement called PROGRESSIVNISM • They sought solutions to problems caused by industrialization, the rapid growth of cities, waves of immigration, economic depression • Progressives came from across the political spectrum • When Roosevelt became president, the Progressive Movement got a leader who was sympathetic to its goals

3. Theodore Roosevelt and Progressivism • Roosevelt sought a “square deal” where business would be able to make a profit through fair competition rather than the expense of labour • He founded the Department of Commerce and Labour in 1903 • Also persuaded the Congress to pass laws that regulated railroad rates and improved health standards • Roosevelt entered Harvard in 1876, and won the election to the New York State Assembly after graduating

4. The Muckrakers • Roosevelt made the term “muckrakers”, which describes critics who were so preoccupied with exposing wrongs in society that they ignored any positive elements • They tried to rouse public anger to force governments to take action by implementing forums • Leading muckraker’s in Roosevelt’s era: • Frank Norris • Ida Tarbell • John Spargo

5. Lincoln Steffens and Upton Sinclair, Muckrakers • Magazines such as McClure’s and the Atlantic Monthly emerged for a liberal middle class • Muckracking journalists would write articles for these magazines exposing corruptions, resulting in several reforms • An expose on a meat packaging industry would result in a Federal Meat Inspection Act now that journalist had such a platform

6. Political Reforms • Progressives began to achieve political reforms at every level of government • Mayor-council systems were replaced by commission or council manager systems • Robert La Follette, a Progressive advocate, would introduce several reforms, referendums and recalls while governor of Wisconsin • A referendum is when a government submits a proposal to the public • A recall gives voters the right to petition to have a government official stand for re-election • Theodore Roosevelt would use several progressive reforms in his presidential campaign such as old age pensions, unemployment insurance, woman’s suffrage act and a ban on child labour

7. Reforms Benefitting Workers • Immigrants would be drawn into mainstream American society through reforms to improve working conditions • Since reforms affecting workers came from laws passed at state level, conservative judges would strike them down • Reforms meant to limit and regulate woman’s work hours and child labour were struck down • Reforms would only be achieved through tragedies such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, killing 146 women aged 13 to 23

8. African-Americans & the Progressive Movement • This period of time erupted with race riots when tensions between blacks & whites arose • In 1908, Springfield, Illinois • A riot broke out where white mobs killed several blacks • Destroyed black businesses, residences, & forced thousands to flee the city

9. The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) was a multi-racial group that met in NY in response to that incident in Illinois • William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a black man who was discouraged from attending Harvard because he was black, years later he eventually was admitted to the school • He was the first African-American to earn his PhD

10. He joined the NAACP • They sought to protect the constitutional rights of blacks by using the federal courts • He became the leading African-American voice for civil rights as the editor for the NAACP’s journal, The Crisis

11. The African-American Press • Used newspaper & magazine to advance the struggle for civil rights • Example. Pittsburg Courier protested poor living conditions for blacks & called for better medical & education services