Progressive ReformsRoosevelt and Wilson

Taking it to the People

T.R. utilized the Bully Pulpit Spoke directly to

the Am. Public Influenced

legislation w/public support

T.R. Reinvented the Presidency Principal policy maker

Drafted, guided, and made policy

Mastery of administration Conscious, astute

management of the press Crafted his image Strategically leaked stories Froze out others Invented idea of the first

family

“I hold that while man exists it is his duty to improve not only his own

condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.”

- Abraham Lincoln

“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed

if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves

much the higher consideration.”

- Abraham Lincoln

The First Modern President Evolving role: Act as

steward of the people Believed in using public

power to promote the general welfare

Pres. Had responsibility to public welfare

Gov’t as a Weapon of Reform Gov’t grew in scope

and in shape Local: City councils State: Direction

election of senators National: New

Departments

New Nationalism Roosevelt: gov’t must

regulate business Individualism and old-

fashioned democracy had failed

Protect welfare of public Good vs. Bad Trusts

Domestic Agenda Roosevelt promised

Americans a “Square Deal” Giving Americans a fair

shake by restoring opportunity

Intended a society where businesses profited by fair competition -- not at the expense of the average American.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Northern Securities Case, 1901 First example of anti-trust

actionRailroad Co. in N. Pacific Applied Sherman Anti-

Trust Act, Co. broken up J.P. Morgan, “If we have

done anything wrong, send your man to my man and they can fix it up.”

Coal Strike of 1902 Roosevelt threatened

gov’t intervention, forced owners to negotiate Reversed previous

precedent

“Social advance depends as much upon the process through which it is secured as upon the result itself”

- Jane Addams

“America’s future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach and how we live.”

- Jane Adams

Social/Moral Reform Goal: Protect social

welfare and promote moral improvement Sought to improve the

harsh conditions of industrialization.

Child labor, working conditions, etc.

Social Welfare, settlement house movement Jane Addams

Jane Addams: Social Reformer “To teach by example,

to practice cooperation, and to practice social democracy, that is, egalitarian, or democratic, social relations across class lines."

Umpire of the Economy Woodrow Wilson took

a conservative and traditional approach Gov’t as an “umpire” to

free business from monopolies

Restore competition Promoted individualism,

open opportunity

Wilson’s Triple Wall of Privilege

TrustsTariffsBanks

Trusts: Federal Trade

Commission: Oversight Board to promote free trade, prevent monopolies

Trusts: Clayton Anti-Trust

Act: Protected strikes,

picketing, and collective bargaining

Tariffs: Reduced tariffs Graduated income tax

introduced, 16th Amendment

Banks: Federal Reserve Act

Created 12 districts with Federal Banks

Designed to stabilize system

Progressive Era Legacy… Strengthened the role of the federal gov’t

Controversial: bureaucracy vs. safety/welfare of the public

Permanent political reforms Reform efforts limited to urban issues Did not address Civil Rights