Progressive LegislationProgressive Legislation

Angela Brown

Chapter 8 Section 2

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Urban ReformsUrban Reforms

Attacking the BossesPolitical machines survived most attacks.Voters switched back and forth between

reformers and bosses.Voter support for reforms prompted

machines to work w/reformers = astonishing improvements

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Cities Take Over UtilitiesCities Take Over Utilities

City control provided residents with more affordable services.

1915 2 out of 3 cities had form of city-owned utilities.

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Providing Welfare ServicesProviding Welfare Services

Public baths, parks, work-relief program, playgrounds, free kindergarten, lodging houses for the homeless (provided by some cities).

“All people would be good, if social conditions were good.”

4

State ReformsState Reforms

More Power to Voters One way to limit power of party bosses was to

give voters more direct say in lawmaking and choosing candidates.

1. Direct Primaries- an election in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming elections

1916 all but three states no longer handpicked party leaders to run

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1. 17th Amendment- popular election of Senators

2. Initiative Process- citizens can propose new laws by obtaining a certain percentage of voters’ signatures on a petition

– Once signatures are collected, proposed law placed on the ballot for the next election

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3. Referendum- gave voters a more direct role in legislation

– Citizens may demand via petition that a law passed by the legislature be “referred” to voters for their approval or rejection

4. Recall- gave voters the ability to remove public officials from office before the next election

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Triangle FireTriangle Fire

March 25, 1911A match or cigarette ignited a fire on the

eighth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City.

Many of the exit doors were locked to prevent employee theft.

146 people died in the blaze.

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http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/1/18/200px-Triangle_Factory_fire_005.jpg

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http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/m_r/pinsky/fatalities.jpg

http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/abouteleanor/timeline/images/triangleshirtwaist1_t.jpg

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Reforms of the WorkplaceReforms of the Workplace

Triangle Fire – improved fire safety standards – appoint fire inspectors, compulsory fire drills, unlock and fire proof exits.

Labor department established, accident insurance programs and compensation systems.

1920 all but five states had provisions for workplace accidents.

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1908 Muller V. Oregon – U.S. Supreme Court limited hours to 10 a day for women laundry workers

1907 National Child Labor Committee convinced 30 states to abolish child labor – children defined as under age 14

Progressives sought minimum wage legislation for woman and children.

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Federal ReformsFederal Reforms

TR’s “Square Deal” United Mine Workers strike due to low wages –

1902 TR insisted both sides submit to arbitration (3rd

party decides on legally binding solution) TR threatened to use army to seize and operate

mines 1903 arbitration gave miners 10% raise, reduced

hours 10 to 9. – they did not officially recognize union

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TR called in a “square deal” for both sides = slogan for his presidency

1904 regulate food, drug, railroad industries1906 Hepburn Act authorized Interstate

Commerce Commission to limit rates if shippers complained of unfair treatment – permission needed before raising rates

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1906 Pure Food Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act required accurate leabeling of ingredients, strict sanitary conditions, rating system for meat.

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Anti-Trust ActivismAnti-Trust Activism

Roosevelt’s Attorney General used Sherman Anti-Trust Act to sue Northern Securities Company – a holding company

A holding company buys up stocks and bonds of smaller companies = creates a monopoly

1904 Supreme Court dissolved the company

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1909 Government filed 42 anti-trust actions (Standard Oil, beef trust, American Tobacco Company)

TR not anti-business – believed trusts should be supervised and controlled

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Protecting the EnvironmentProtecting the Environment

Earlier Presidents created Yellowstone/Yosemite – preserved 35 million acres of forest land

1900s experts to develop policy for land and water use backed by scientific data.

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TR set aside 200 million acres for National forests, mineral reserves and water projects

1902 – National Reclamation Act – set aside money from the sale of public lands to fund construction of irrigation systems in arid states

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New Labor DepartmentNew Labor Department

1912 Children’s Bureau created1913 Department of Labor added as a new

cabinet department – supported legislation to benefit women/children (contained both children’s and women’s bureaus)

1920 Women’s Bureau createdfirst – female bureau heads at federal level

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New Constitutional New Constitutional AmendmentsAmendments

1913 16th Amendment authorized Congress to collect income taxes (prior relied on income from tariffs).

1919 – 18th Amendment- prohibition-illegal to make, sell, or import liquor – repealed in 1933

Not everyone favored prohibition but thought it would protect society from the poverty and violence associated with drinking.

School children signed pledges showing contempt for the “Cup of Death”.

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