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Chapter 34

Chapter 34. A Wave of Reform The Progressives 1890-1916. The Progressives. U.S. reform, largely peaceful Progressive Era 1900–1920 Progressive Era produces significant reforms Progressives borrow others’ ideas Middle America Largely middle class Wanted to control big business

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Chapter 34

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  1. Chapter 34 A Wave of Reform The Progressives 1890-1916

  2. The Progressives • U.S. reform, largely peaceful • Progressive Era 1900–1920 • Progressive Era produces significant reforms • Progressives borrow others’ ideas • Middle America • Largely middle class • Wanted to control big business • Wanted to improve welfare of lower class • Saw relationship between wealth and restless poor

  3. The Progressives(cont.’d) • Government as the answer • Government must take initiative in improving America • Government action key to social and moral improvement • Coat of many colors • Progressivism not a coherent movement • Crossed party lines • Disagreed over many issues

  4. The Progressives(cont.’d) • Race • Most progressives did not accept racial equality • Southern progressives white supremacists • Some progressives see prejudice as worst evil • Ray Stannard Baker • W.E.B. DuBois, others, created NAACP • Forbearers • Herbert Croly: Hamiltonian means to Jeffersonian ends • Adopted much of Populist platform, but not free silver • Accepted “good government” idealism of Mugwumps • Adopted idea of “scientific management”

  5. Good Government • Progressivism originates in cities • Hazen S. Pingree, Detroit reform mayor • Thomas L. Johnson, Cleveland reform mayor • Lincoln Steffens, “The Shame of the Cities” • Muckrakers • Investigative reporters expose evils • Publish in mass-circulation magazines • Ida M. Tarbell, “History of the Standard Oil Company” • Muckrakers decline in quality

  6. Good Government(cont.’d) • Efficiency and democracy • City Manager system replaces mayor with executive • Oregon system: initiative, referendum, recall • Robert La Follette: progressive in Wisconsin • Devoted resources of government to service of people • Government needed expert help • Developed relationship with University of Wisconsin • Used machine methods to help reform • Became U.S. senator

  7. Good Government(cont.’d) • Progressive leaders • Charles Evans Hughes of New York • William E. Borah of Idaho • George Norris of Nebraska • Hiram Johnson prosecutes Abe Ruef in California • Boss profited from rebuilding after earthquake • Boss linked to Southern Pacific Railroad • Johnson won governorship by promising reform

  8. Making Better People • Progressive moralism • Anthony Comstock’s crusade versus obscenity • Regulating prostitution state and local issue • Prostitution common, even where illegal • Women progressives fight prostitution • Most states make it illegal • Crusade versus alcohol • Saloons strengthen city bosses, hurt poor • Carry Nation attacks saloons • Francis Willard favors moderate tactics • Many progressives do not support prohibition

  9. Making Better People(cont.’d) • Feminism and progressivism • Suffrage movement over 50 years old • Very few victories • New Leader: Carrie Chapman Catt • Much opposition to women voting • Changing strategies • Catt abandons equality argument • Catt agrees women more moral than men • Says women voters would clean up politics • Catt’s arguments gain progressive support

  10. The Progressive President • Theodore Roosevelt (TR) comes to power • Moves cautiously at first • Wants to secure 1904 nomination • Keeps best of McKinley’s cabinet • Quickly builds up following • TR busted trusts • Files suit against Northern Securities Company • Charges company with violating Sherman Antitrust Act • Supreme Court rules against company • Roosevelt becomes trustbuster

  11. The Progressive President (cont.’d) • The Great Coal Strike • Demands bosses negotiate with union • John Mitchell • Helps negotiate a compromise settlement • Workers see Roosevelt as friend

  12. The Reformer Riding High • TR’s victory, 1904 • Republicans run Roosevelt • Democrats run Alton B. Parker • Roosevelt wins easily • Socialists get 3% of votes in 1904 • Socialists’ success concerns Roosevelt • Hepburn Act, 1906 • Act authorizes ICC to set maximum rates • Provides teeth to stop rebates • Meat Inspection Act, 1906 • Sets sanitary standards on food processors • Pure Food and Drug Act, 1906 • Restricts additives, requires accurate labels

  13. The Reformer Riding High (cont.’d) • Conservation • National Forest Reserve dates from 1891 • Gifford Pinchot and John Muir • Roosevelt adds 125 million acres to forests • Roosevelt adds 68 million acres of coal deposits • Pleases Progressives, but not Western states

  14. Discussion Questions • What was the progressive movement? Where are its origins found? Who were the progressives? • What were some of the noteworthy accomplishments of progressivism? • Consider the progressive leaders Robert La Follette, Charles Evans Hughes, and Hiram Johnson. What do they have in common as progressive reformers? • How did the Women’s Suffrage movement adapt to become a force in the progressive movement? What level of success did they achieve?

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