The Progressive Era(1900 – 1917)

Chapter 9

Progressivism:An Introduction

A reform movement in response to: The depression of the 1890s and its

social unrest. And an attempt to soften the harsh

impact of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration.

Progressivism varied. The progressive movement represented

the common spirit of an age rather than a single organized group or party.

Progressivism

What reformers shared was a common assumption that the complex social ills and tensions generated by the urban-industrial revolution required expanding the scope of local, state, and federal government authority as to elevate the public interest over private greed.

Such initiatives represented the first tentative steps toward what would become known during the 1930s and after as the welfare state.

General Goals

Greater Democracy Direct primaries The initiative, referendum, and recall Popular election of senators

Efficiency—called for experts t o replace bureaucrats Commission system City managers Championed by Robert LaFollette and the

“Wisconsin Idea”

General Goals, cont.

Corporate regulation Laissez-faire vs. regulation Perhaps most controversial

Social Justice Child labor Working conditions 10-hr workday Prohibition

Roosevelt’sProgressivism

Most activist president since Lincoln Most presidents believed that the Constitution set specific

limits on their power. Roosevelt thought that the president could do anything not expressly forbidden in the document

Recognized the Executive Mansion as the White House Recognized the value of publicity

Created the press room in White House. First president to ride in an automobile, fly in an

airplane, and dive in a submarine—and everyone knew it.

Roosevelt’s Plan

Committed to an expanding government.Growth was natural but government needed to

mediate. Big labor would counterbalance big capital. Big farm organizations would offset big food processors, and so on. What he called in his reelection campaign the “Square Deal.”—half

loaf vs. whole loaf.Anthracite (hard) Coal Strike of 1902

Workers struck for more pay and fewer hours. Mine owners closed mines. TR threatened to take over the mines, forcing owners to submit to

arbitration panel.

Roosevelt’s Plan

Trusts TR used his executive powers to enforce the Sherman Anti-

Trust Act (1890) Conduct, not size was important—“good” and “bad” trusts

Hepburn Act of 1906 Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission power to set

maximum rates (Railroad regulation)Movement to regulate food processors

and makers of drugs and patent medicines The Meat Inspection Act (1906) The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Conservation through planned management Enlarged the national park system

William Howard Taft

Election of 1908 TR handpicked Secretary of War Taft He defeats William Jennings Bryan (Dem)

Taft had great administrative skill and personal charm. But he disliked the political maneuvering of Washington and preferred conciliation to confrontation

Taft managed to alienate both conservatives and progressives Even TR had doubts – On inauguration day he told a

reporter “He’s all right, but he’s weak.”

Taft

Despite his failures, Taft did enact a progressive program Regulated safety standards for mines and railroads. Created a federal children’s bureau. Set an 8-hr workday for federal employees. Supported a graduated income tax

Became the 16th Amend, in early 1913. Considered one of the most important reforms of the

century. Supported the 17th Amend. (1913) which provided for the

popular election of senators. Set aside more public lands for conservation than TR. Impressive “progressive” record despite charges from TR

and others.

Election of 1912

TR and Taft split TR

New Nationalism Recognized the value on consolidation in the

economy—whether big business or big labor—but insisted on protecting the interests of individuals through big government.

Advocated more daring reforms than he had as president. Ex. “equal suffrage” (blacks and women)

TR lost Rep. Nomination despite winning most of the primaries to Taft-- presidential patronage

TR formed Progressive Party I’m feeling like a bull moose!

Election of 1912

Woodrow Wilson (Dem) Progressive governor of New Jersey New Freedom

Rejected the economic consolidation that Roosevelt embraced.

Wanted to strictly limit the size of businesses to preserve the free market.

Wanted to keep government small to preserve individual freedom

Taft and TR split the Rep. vote and Wilson won.

Wilson in White House and Democrats controlled Congress.

The Election of 1912

Woodrow Wilson and the Politics of Morality

First southern president since Andrew Johnson.

Very self-righteous –“God ordained that I should be the next president of the United States.”

Felt that a modern president should act as a “prime minister,” directing and uniting his party, molding legislation and public opinion, exerting continuous leadership.

Progressive Legislation

The Underwood-Simmons Tariff (1913) (lowered tariff) In conjunction with 16th Amendment, this began a

momentous shift in government revenue: 19th-century base—public lands, alcohol taxes, and

customs duties. 20th century base: personal and corporate incomes.

Federal Reserve Act of 1913 Federal Reserve System of 12 regional banks

controlled by a central Federal Reserve Board in Washington.

Progressive Legislation

Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 An executive commission to regulate

commerce and enforce orderly competition.

Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 Barred some of the worst corporate

practices: price discrimination, holding companies, and interlocking directorates.

Woman Suffrage: Nineteenth Amendment

Conclusion to Progressivism

For all its claims of sweeping change, progressivism left the system of market capitalism in tact. Neither the New Nationalism of TR, with its emphasis on

planning and regulation, nor Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom, which promoted competition through limits on corporate size, aimed to do more than improve the system.

But the Gilded Age philosophy of laissez faire—of giving private enterprise a free hand—had clearly been rejected. Both state and federal governments established their right to

regulate the actions of private corporations for the public good. Under progressive leadership, the modern state—active and interventionist—was born.

1890 General Federation of Women’s Clubs organized

Significant Events

Chapter 22

1899 National Consumers League founded

1900 Robert La Follette elected governor of Wisconsin

1901 Theodore Roosevelt elected president 1903 Department of Labor and Commerce

created 1906 Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle published 1910 Mann Act passed 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire 1914 Clayton Antitrust Act passed 1919 Nineteenth Amendment grants women suffrage