Progressive EraProgressive Era

Muckrakers and ReformersMuckrakers and Reformers

During the early 1900’s many lived difficult lives. Farmers struggled to survive, city dwellers lived crowded

together in unsafe apartment buildings and African Americans faced racial

segregation.

During the early 1900’s many lived difficult lives. Farmers struggled to survive, city dwellers lived crowded

together in unsafe apartment buildings and African Americans faced racial

segregation.

Segregation- separation of people according to race,

sex, or other characteristics.

Segregation- separation of people according to race,

sex, or other characteristics.

Farmers struggled because as more farmers raised more goods the prices of these products dropped. Also

the shipping costs for these products went up.

Farmers struggled because as more farmers raised more goods the prices of these products dropped. Also

the shipping costs for these products went up.

GOLD STANDARD AND FREE SILVERGOLD STANDARD AND FREE SILVER People used

to be able to trade in their paper money for silver or

gold pieces.

However, gold mines started to not produce as much gold and silver dollars were the only

ones backed by

metal

Farmers and Democrats wanted the government to use

just silver for money. This is called “free silver”

William Jennings Bryan was a great orator. He went around the country voicing his support for

free silver.He lost the Presidential

elections of 1900 and 1908. He lost the Presidential

elections of 1900 and 1908.

In 1900 the United States was the most

industrialized nation in the world.

In 1900 the United States was the most

industrialized nation in the world.

Muckraker- a journalist who informs the public about corruption in business

Muckraker- a journalist who informs the public about corruption in business

Progressive Era1898-1917

Many political, economic, and social reforms were made

Progressive Era1898-1917

Many political, economic, and social reforms were made

However there was a lot of corruption in

industry

However there was a lot of corruption in

industry

Sherman Antitrust ActSherman Antitrust Act

Law passed by Congress in 1890 that prohibited large companies and powerful

industries from interfering with free trade or limiting

competitions

Law passed by Congress in 1890 that prohibited large companies and powerful

industries from interfering with free trade or limiting

competitions

This was supposed to

prevent monopolies.

This was supposed to

prevent monopolies.

Famous MuckrakersFamous Muckrakers IDA

TARBELL

Wrote about the Standard oil company and regulations they

broke.

Wrote about the Standard oil company and regulations they

broke.

This led to the Supreme Court

decision in 1911 to break up the

oil trust.

This led to the Supreme Court

decision in 1911 to break up the

oil trust.

Upton Sinclair

Wrote a book entitled “The Jungle” It was a book

about the meat packing industry and the workers

in it

Wrote a book entitled “The Jungle” It was a book

about the meat packing industry and the workers

in it

It also talked about the unsanitary

conditions in the plants at the

time.

Because of Sinclair the government began food

inspections.

Because of Sinclair the government began food

inspections.

Urban Reformers

Jane Adams Founded the HULL

HOUSE in Chicago This is where poor and

immigrant families could come and stay and be taught good

hygiene and nutrition was taught

Jacob Riis

Once was a homeless man in New York, became a reporter and wrote a

book called “How the other Half Lives”

Once was a homeless man in New York, became a reporter and wrote a

book called “How the other Half Lives”

He did a lot to raise awareness of how the

poor live and child labor.

Theodore Roosevelt

Was a war hero in the Spanish American War. Led a group

called the Rough Riders

Was a war hero in the Spanish American War. Led a group

called the Rough Riders

He came back from the war and ran for governor of New York State. He

wanted to see reform in Government which didn’t make him popular with

some of his colleagues.

In 1900 he was elected with McKinely as

Vice-President.

A year after the election McKinely was assassinated

and Roosevelt became President.

One day while hunting in Mississippi he refused to

shoot a bear cub that someone had tied to a

tree.

People began making stuffed bears called Teddy Bears.

He was the first President to

establish and push for a lot of National Parks and National

Forests

Roosevelt believed that

all Americans should get

fair treatment

and a chance for a

good life.

SquareDeal

He did this by attacking railroads and big business who believed they

were above the law.