THE PROGRESSIVE

ERA UNDER TEDDY

ROOSEVELT

CLEANING UP LOCAL GOVERNMENT 1900 storm in Galveston, TX

Reform- 5 member commission of experts By 1917, 500 cities had followed

Galveston’s example Council-manager form of government Fairer tax structures Lowered fares for public transportation Work relief for unemployed

REFORM AT STATE LEVEL Robert La Follette-Wisconsin governor

“Fighting Bob” Led the way in regulating business Major target: railroad industry (taxed,

regulated rates) National Child Labor Committee- sent

investigators to gather evidence of children working in harsh conditions Success in effecting legislation that banned

child labor

REFORM AT STATE LEVEL Muller v. Oregon- limited women to a

ten-hour work dayArgued that poor working women were

much more economically insecure than large corporations

Women required state’s protection

REFORMING ELECTIONS Initiative- bill that originated by the

people rather than lawmakers Referendum- A vote on the initiative Recall- enabled voters to remove public

officials from elected positions by forcing them to face another election before the end of their term

17th amendment

WOMEN AND REFORM NACW- National Association of Colored

Women Women’s suffrage NAWSA (National

American Woman Suffrage Association) “I would sooner cut off my hand than

ask the ballot for the black man and not for women”

Women in state legislatures in the west were granted right to vote

TEDDY ROOSEVELT Youngest president ever Square Deal- various progressive

reforms sponsored by Roosevelt administration Three C’s:

Conservation of Natural Resources Control of Corporations (TRUSTBUSTING) Consumer protection

1902 Coal Strike- Coal miners in PA went on strike; mine

operators refused to bargain ***Federal government intervenes on the

side of the people/workers- first time***

HEALTH The Jungle- Upton Sinclair

Revolting sensational novelWanted to appall the public w/ his

description of unsanitary food productsFilth & disease of Chicago’s meat-packing

industry Meat Inspection Act- dictated strict

cleanliness requirements for meatpackers & created program for federal meat inspection

HEALTH Medicine included opium, cocaine &

alcohol Harmful preservatives added to food Pure Food and Drug Act- halted the sale

of contaminated foods and medicines; called for truth in labelingGiven accurate information, people can act

wisely

ENVIRONMENT Gifford Pinchot named as head of U.S.

Forest Service Conservation Federal government manages precious

water resources in the West