Progressives and “muckraker” writers attacked city corruption, corporate greed, poor living and working conditions, alcohol, and women’s right to vote. Each of these ills saw laws and/or Amendments passed to attempt to better the condition.
REVIEW: The Targets of Progressive Reformers (Optimism and possibility of improving society)
Making government more responsive and less corrupt. This includes concern about concentrated power in government and the "organized corruption of the Boss system
City Reforms Progressive reform began at the local or city level because it was easier to implement than at the vast state or national level. Urban corruption from political machines was a major focus, resulting in the reorganization of local government using the commissioner-and city-manager-styles of management.
City Commissioner Plan - Experts in different fields to run a single aspect of city government ( Example Police Commissioner)
State Reforms Reform governors such as Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Robert LaFolleteof Wisconsin, and Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, all helped get reforms passed in their respective states. In addition, reforms first proposed by the Populist Party were enacted in order to make state governments more responsive to the needs of the people.
Secret Ballot - Privacy at the ballot box ensures that citizens can cast votes without party bosses knowing how they voted.
Recall - Allows voters to petition to have an elected representative removed from office. 2012 Wisconsin Recall
Federal Reforms During the Progressive Era, the Federal Government passed an enormous amount of legislation designed to conserve the environment, tighten past economic regulations, preserve the health and safety of American citizens, and generally provide needed capitalist reforms.
Federal Trade Act (1914) - Established the Federal Trade Commission to investigates unfair business practices including monopolistic activity and inaccurate product labeling.
“Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fairness, and commonsense… we must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.” The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us.”
Theodore Roosevelt New York State Fair, Syracuse
Theodore Roosevelt
Like to present himself as an ordinary man, not very accurate…Descendant of NY Dutch aristocracy. Intelligent and active; had a number of health defects – he was weak and bookish as a child – begins a transformation in his teens to a ideal manly type through an intense fitness regime – the strenuous life
Constructs a Horatio Alger tale about himself, despite his patrician background – presenting himself as a moral exemplar - Immature, dynamic personality – wants to be the center of attention. TR creates an outside power base using the press to promote his image and joins the governing class in NYS politics. Middle class readership fascinated with the wealth and well-placed “culture of celebrity” The Western persona - only allows photos of him on horseback and hunting (no golf or tennis) drawing on the western myth!!! TR is never anonymous
Ideas and Politics
Loyal to the Republican Party and a team player, however he is part of the reforming wing of NYS politics – Police commissioner of NY
A blend of ideas - Hamiltonian – uses the government to create a strong state and stimulate the idea of national greatness and dash of Jeffersonian – faith in the people and a faith in larger democratic participation.
1897
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
1898
fights with The Rough Riders in Spanish American War – make’s TR’s career on the national level - romanticized view of western cowboys and aristocrats charging up San Juan HillIMAGE
1899-1900
Elected reform Governor of NY
1900
Vice Presidential nomination on McKinley ticket
1901
McKinley assassination and TR continues McKinley’s policy
1902
Conservation and wise use policy and develop land wisely – the Reclamation Act (1902) – sell public land and develop irrigation systems; takes unilateral action
1904
1904 Elected in his own right - announces he will not run for President again – give everyone an equal shot
burst of activity in Pure food and drug Hepburn
Business must knows its place – things have to balanced.
Success? Dynamic, aggressive, radical, excitable guy who is in a conservative party
1908
1908 – Goes to Africa to hunt game and go on several tour stops
Federal Reforms During the Progressive Era, the Federal Government passed an enormous amount of legislation designed to conserve the environment, tighten past economic regulations, preserve the health and safety of American citizens, and generally provide needed capitalist reforms.
Newlands Reclamation Act (1902)
Encouraged conservation by allowing the building of dams and irrigations systems using money from the sale of public lands.
Elkins Act (1903)
Outlawed the use of rebates by railroad officials or shippers.
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906/1911)
Required that companies accurately label the ingredients contained in processed food items.
Meat Inspection Act (1906
In direct response to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, this law required that meat processing plants be inspected to ensure the use of good meat and health-minded procedures.
Hepburn Act (1906)
Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission, allowing it to set maximum railroad rates.
Federal Reserve Act (1913)
Created 12 district Federal Reserve Banks, each able to issue new currency and loan member banks funds at the prime interest rate, as established by the Federal Reserve Board.
Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by outlawing the creation of a monopoly through any means, and stated that unions were not subject to antitrust legislation.
Federal Trade Act (1914)
Established the Federal Trade Commission, charged with investigating unfair business practices including monopolistic activity and inaccurate product labeling.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.