THE PROGRESSIVE ERA

Chapter 9

The Origins of Progressivism

Section 1

Protecting Social Welfare

Promoting Moral Improvement

Creating Economic Reform

Fostering Efficiency

Reforming Local Government

Reform Mayors

Reform Governors

Protecting Working Children

Efforts to Limit Working Hours

Reforming Elections

Direct Election of Senators

Women in Public LifeSection 2

Farm Women

Women in Industry

Domestic Workers

Women in Higher Education

Women and Reform

3-Part Strategy for Suffrage

Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal

Section 3

Roosevelt’s Rise

The Modern Presidency

Trustbusting

1902 Coal Strike

Railroad Regulation

Regulating Food and Drugs

Pure Food and Drug Act

Conservation and Natural Resources

Conservation Measures

Roosevelt and Civil Rights

Progressivism Under Taft

Section 4

Taft Stumbles

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

Disputing Public Lands

Problems Within the Party

Bull Moose Party

Democrats Win in 1912

Wilson’s New Freedom

Section 5

Wilson’s Background Grew up in the South

during the Civil War and Reconstruction, raised by Presbyterian ministers

Worked as a lawyer and history professor before entering politics

His goal as president was to attack trusts, tariffs and high finance

Antitrust Measures

Clayton Antitrust Act: companies cannot buy the stock of another if doing so would create a monopoly

Unions would no longer be subject to trust laws

Federal Trade Commission, watchdog agency that investigates possible violations, receives reports and ends unfair business practices

A New Tax System

Wants to pass the Underwood Act which would substantially lower tariffs

Calls Congress to a special session and establishes the precedent of giving the State of the Union in person

Business lobbyists all asked Congress to reject the act and Wilson asked people to monitor their Senator’s vote

Federal Income Tax

Because of the lower tariffs, the government wasn’t making enough money and had to raise taxes

16th amendment, legalized a graduated income tax (between 1 and 6 % depending on income)

Soon started making more on income tax than ever had made on tariffs

Federal Reserve System

Decentralized private banking system under federal control

12 districts, 1 regional bank that serves the others

Can issue paper currency in an emergency and allow member banks to use that to make loans, can transfer money to member banks in trouble, still serves as our banking basis

Local Suffrage Battles

By 1910 only had voting rights in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Idaho

Spread the message of suffrage to poor and working class women with the unusual sight of women speaking in public

Those who travelled also brought back the movement from England

Catt and the National Movement NAWSA and Catt concentrated on Organization, close ties between local, state

and national workers, establishing a wide base of support, cautious lobbying, gracious ladylike behavior

Some didn’t like this and founded a more radical group to put pressure on government to pass a suffrage amendment, picketed around the clock

Arrested, jailed, force-fed but successful (after WWI) with 19th amendment

Wilson and Civil Rights

When running he supports it, but changes attitude once elected

Appoints segregation supporters to cabinet

Rejects African-American delegation

End of Progressivism

The U.S. enters World War I