Download Progressive Era Notes

Progressive Era Notes
Intro Activity:
Ask students what they think progressivism means (look at base word progress). This era
in US History is a time to fix society; to progress
Ask students what problems did society have in the early 20th century? Put suggestions
on the board.
Now ask students what problems society has today. Compare/Contrast
Notes:
Introduction
Goals of Progressivism: Support farmers, support labor movement (unions), Tariff
reduction, Consumer protection, anti-harmful trusts, environmental protection, Stable
economy, eliminate government corruption.
The robber barons held down wages, and millions of factory workers lived in squalor.
Moderates thought capitalism needed to be fixed, and socialists and Marxists thought it
should be overthrown. In American most progressives wanted reform while preserving
democracy and capitalism. They did not seek solutions in dictatorship and socialism. IN
Europe people rose up and overthrew the government and seized the means of
production. In America political change (1776) and economic change (progressive) did
not come at the same time.
As America entered the century the average worker earned $200-400 per year (the
purchasing power of about $4200-8400 today) only 6% graduated from high School. The
average life expectancy was 47. There were only 8000 cars in the US, and only 8% had a
telephone.
Social Critics
Edward Bellamy wrote the Utopian novel Looking Backward 2000-1887. In the year
2000 there was no crime, unemployment, or poverty. People were educated, and the
elderly were cared for. There were no wages, and everyone received an equal share of
the GDP. Bellamy opposed the doctrine of survival of the fittest. He solution was
socialism.
Social Gospel- Many religious leaders of the late 19th century believed that a system,
which caused much misery, was immoral. Preaching social justice and compassion, they
supported the right of labor to organize a living wage, shorter hours, and ending child
labor.
Most muckrakers were critics of urban bossism and the “malefactors of great wealth.”
Theodore Roosevelt
With Congress dominated by the Old Guard, TR communicated his ideas to the public
through the “bully pulpit.” He had charisma: a war hero, young athletic, bright.
Wanted a Square Deal for both management and labor. He accepted economic
concentration (monopolies.) It was how business was done, and he thought the most
businesses benefited American. He was not against all trusts. His goal was to curb
harmful monopolies that sought profit by oppressing workers, eliminating competition, or
exhorting high prices by creating shortages. He believed that evil men with evil motives
ran these corporations. TR would decide which trusts were bad.
Sherman Anti-trust Act
Department of Labor (1903)
Anthracite Coal Strike (1902)
Pure Food and Rug Act (1906)
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Newlands reclamation Act (1902)
Go back to the notes to see specific legislation
Taft
TR kept promise that he would step down, supported Taft, his secretary of War.
Taft followed Whig Theory that the president could only do what was explicitly
authorized by the constitution or by law
In the beginning, Taft continued TR’s programs. His administration initiated twice as
many anti-trusts suit as had TR.’s (TR-44 in 7 years, Taft- 90 in 3 years)
Problems—Payne- Aldrich and Pinchot-Ballinger affair.
Progressive Republicans fight back