Progressivism

Sami Spencer, Tonianne Daniello, Jon Dery, Josh Weinick, Namal Seneviratne, and Victoria San Jose Guiote

Period 2

Video Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfUYi8ehLMk

What is Progressivism?

Video Link: (Populist Party)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGYx5KAWAU

What is Populism?

Reform-minded journalists who wrote largely for popular magazines and exposed corrupt business practices

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVNE0gc2MyY

Muckrakers

Ida M. Tarbell: Wrote “history of the Standard Oil Company” Exposed the Rockefeller’s unethical methods of eliminating

competition. “Mr. Rockefeller has systematically played with loaded dice” “…and it is doubtful if there has been a time since 1872 when he

has run a race with a competitor and played fair.Upton Sinclair: Wrote “The Jungle” He filled the book with nauseating knowledge he discovered

during his research on the meat packing industry. Inspired Theodore Roosevelt to call congress to pass the Pure

Food and Drug act in 1906 “I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the

stomach.” ― Upton Sinclair “They use everything about the hog except the squeal.” ― Upton Sinclair, The Jungle

Famous Muckrakers

New types of governmentCommissions- groups of experts that solve

problemsGalveston, Texas

Council-Manager- a city counsel that makes laws and a manger who runs the departments

Reform mayorsHazen Pingree

economics: taxes, public transportation, schools, lighting, gas

Tom Johnsonsocialist: citizens in government, circus tent

meetings

Government Reform - Local

Government Reform - StateReform Governors

Robert M. LaFollette (Wisconsin)- weakening railroad corporations and taking them out of politicsnormal taxing, commission, no free passes to

officials"Fighting Bob"

others: Charles B. Aycock, Albert B. Cummins, Joseph W. Folk

Worker protectionchild labor- children had to work to raise money

for the familyNational Child Labor Committee and Keating-

Owen Actwoman labor- Muller vs. Oregon

Government Reform - StateElections

initiative- bill organized by the peoplereferendum- vote on the initiativerecall- people force out bad public officials with

early election17th Amendment and direct election of senators

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal1902 Coal Strike:

Overview: 140k Pennsylvania Coal Miners went on strike demanding a 9-hour work day, rights to organizing a union, and 20 percent raise. The mine operators did not bargain with labor leaders.

5 months into the strike, Roosevelt stepped in. He called in both parties to the White House. Coal Reserves ran low forcing schools and factories to shut

down. Hospital patients were left in the freezing cold.

Roosevelt threatened to take over the coal mines since it became a national issue, this resulted in a settlement that included wage increases and reduction in workdays.

Roosevelt found the coal miner owners to be extremely arrogant.

President Roosevelt’s actions demonstrated a new principle- when a strike threatened the public welfare, the federal government was expected to intervene.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square DealRail Road Regulation

Overview: 1887, Congress passed Interstate Commerce Act, required railroads to publish their rates and made rebates illegal.

1903- Roosevelt urges congress to pass Elkins Act which strengthened the Interstate Commerce Act by the creating heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates and shippers who accepted rebates.

Did not help farmers!!!

1906- Hepburn Act set maximum railroad rates. Helped the farmers!!!

President Roosevelt was able to regulate Interstate Commerce by having an oversight in railroad rates.

Populism

Progressivism; Extension of Populism or Unique Reform Movement

Progressivism

Populism Mainly Poor White

Farmers

Focus on Economic Opportunity

Helped Create and was For the Middle Class

Desired More Overall Control of Government: More Say in Political Decisions, Economic Opportunity, and a More Fair Justice System

Explanation

Progressivism

Muckrakers exposed injustices through investigative journalism and literature (The Jungle by Upton Sinclair) .

Local and State Governments became more involved and helped weaken large corporations.

Square Deal focused on: Conservation of Natural Resources, Control of corporations, and Consumer Protection.

Progressivism Strategies/Events