1. the depression of the 1890s › highlighted the inadequacy of the old system poverty – urban...
TRANSCRIPT
Causes
1. the Depression of the 1890s› highlighted the inadequacy of the old system
poverty – urban and agrarian workers’ conditions, labor strife further growth of giant corporations
› convinced middle class that farmers/workers had a point
2. rise of a new generation of middle-class Americans› grew up with the urbanized, industrialized new order› not so nostalgic, less tied to tradition of individualism
began to turn to government to impose order› reversal of American political tradition› followed lead of Populists, unions – somewhat
Conservative Reform
Progressives worked within the system to reform it› not looking to overturn the system but preserve it
feared both big business and organized labor› sought to prevent revolution / radical change
e.g., monopolies, socialism, class conflict, powerful unions
Progressive Strategy1. education/publicity was key to reform
› muckrakers › technology: newspapers & magazines, radio,
movie newsreels
2. public awareness govt. regulation› once an act was passed, problem was solved› e.g., food and meat regulations
Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle Pure Food & Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act
Reform began locally in the 1880s and 1890s› often with middle-class women’s social
groups› esp. in the cities
1890s-1900s: ineffective, so shifted to state, then federal level
Social Reform began in cities
public health – clean water, sewage, parks
gambling/prostitution/prison reform
settlement houses
› e.g., Chicago’s Hull House (Jane Addams)
› origin of modern social work
paternalism
Prohibition roots:
› rural reaction against urban vice› nativist reaction against immigrant
culture› middle-class reaction against working-
class crime/violence (incl. domestic abuse)
› middle-class ideal of family – reaction against saloons
Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)› Frances Willard› Carrie Nation
Anti-Saloon League state and county laws
› Kansas (1880) 18th amendment (1919)
› Volstead Act (1919)
Labor Reform Goals:
› improve workers’ conditions› uplift/improve workers
intellectually & morally› prevent unions/radicalism
workmen’s compensation laws 10-hour day minimum wage
› 13 states by 1920 (limited) child- & women-labor laws
› restrict hours – Muller v. Oregon (1908)
› minimum wage – MA (1912)› Keating-Owen Act (1916)
Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918)
› Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire (1911) NY labor code
anthracite coal strike (1902)
Business Reform “Trustbusting”
› Northern Securities Co. v. US (1902)
› Hepburn Act (1906)› Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
› Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
› Presidential styles› Roosevelt – regulation
› Northern Securities the exception
› Taft – › Wilson – breaking up the
giants
Political ReformGoals: strengthen govt. power
› federal income tax 16th Amendment (1913)
› Federal Reserve Act (1913) regulated banks; national currency
increase the power of the people› direct election of US senators
17th Amendment (1913)
› primary elections› recall, referendum, initiative
improve efficiency & break the machines› commission govt., city manager
Cleveland Mayor Tom Johnson
Women’s Role
“Maternalism”› domesticity as a springboard
into the public sphere Suffrage
› Alice Paul› Progressive emphasis on
democratic reform› key: new role of govt./law in
reform now respectable/middle class
› 19th amdt. (1920)
The Progressive Presidency TR as the first modern president
› actively pursued a legislative agenda use of public opinion – the “bully pulpit”
› made frequent use of executive orders esp. re: conservation
› brought lawsuits to enforce fed. regulations e.g., Northern Securities
› active presidency popular more efficient
1912 election› popularity of Progressivism
WW + TR = 70% Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party)