Progressive Reform in Government

With enough pressure from citizens, the state and federal governments attempted to initiate

reform.

I. Progressive Reform at the Local and State Levels

A. City Governments1. What was wrong with them?

a. Urban problems, slums, bad conditionsb. Corruption; favoritism in getting jobsc. Workers pressured to vote one way or another

2. How could they be fixed?a. City Commissioner Plan- instead of having an all powerful

mayor and city council, the city would be run by a group of commissioners. Each commissioner is in charge of one aspect of city government. (i.e. water, sanitation, fire, police)

b. City Manager Plan-city council hires a manager to run departments

 

B. State Governments1. What was wrong with them?

a. Political machinesb. Boss controlled, powerful businessmen

influencing

C. General Changes in State Governments Aimed at Increasing Citizen Participation1. Secret ballot-prevents party bosses from

knowing how people vote2. Initiative- allows voters to petition the

legislature to consider a proposed law3. Referendum-voters decide whether a given

bill or constitutional amendment should be passed

4. Recall- form a petition used to force elected officials out of office

5. Primary- allows voters, rather than party leaders, to elect candidates to run for office

II. Progressive Reform at the National Level

Teddy Roosevelt’s Administration 1901-1909

A. Roosevelt’s View of the Presidency1. Stewardship: The president was to be a

“steward” for the American people.2. Constitutional Interpretation: Roosevelt

interpreted the duties of the president to be beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution. a. Does this make him a loose or a strict

constructionist? LOOSEb. What clause of the Constitution is he utilizing?

ELASTIC

3. Teddy’s other nickname—Trustbustera. His goal was for government to regulate

and eliminate unfair practices of big business.

b. He used all branches of government to follow his plans!

4. Bully Pulpit: Roosevelt believed the Presidency was his pulpit to eliminate the abuses of bullies. Who were these bullies? BIG BUSINESS

5. As a Republican, doesn’t this seem to go against BIG BUSINESS?

a. Roosevelt convinced business leaders that he intended to reform unfair corporate monopolies and railroads but that he would not interfere with monetary policy (He would keep the gold standard) or tariffs.

b. Government hadn’t done much in the past to curb big business abuses.

B. Legislative Branch1. Establishment of the Department of Labor and

Commerce2. Elkins Act (1903) added strength to the Interstate

Commerce Act by making the practice of issuing secret rebates illegal

3. Hepburn Act (1906) increased the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission by giving it the power to reduce discriminatory rates on railroads and forbidding any free passes

4. Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act (1906)—responded to the writing of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

 

D. Executive Branch1. Presidential Mediation

a. Government can act as an arbitrator (define—impartial judge with a decision to be held) in disputes affecting public interest

b. Anthracite Coal Strike: United Mine Workers walked out of the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania demanding a shorter work day, better wages, and union recognition. Roosevelt appointed an arbitration board which settled the problems.

2. Conservation- protected the outdoorsa. added more land to National Forests and Parksb. created the U.S. Forest Service led by

conservationist Gifford Pinchotc. Establish Yosemite National Park.

E. ConclusionTeddy wanted the people to get a “Square

Deal.”

What does this mean?He wanted everyone to be treated fair and equally, have good working conditions and be paid well.