The Progressive Era

1877-1920

Problems due to urbanization and industrialization:

 

Poverty Slums Bad working conditions

Corrupt government + people have little say

Monopolies  and trusts

Child labor

4 major areas that needed reforms and goals:

Social –promote well being of society

Economic- create economic reform

Political- reform gov’t & expand democracy

Environmental-conserve and preserve

Fighting CorruptionIn Government

Problem                                 Solution or reformPolitical Machines: controlled –Reformers attempted jobs and services in many to break power by cities; often dishonest- working to make cityaccepted bribes and gov’ts more honest andkickbacks. efficient

Boss Tweed-                 Headed NYC political machine known as Tammany Hall

William Marcy Tweed: Tammany Hall

Problem                                      Solution or reformThe Spoils System President Hayes (1877-(patronage)

                    1881) and President  • rewarded jobs and favors         Garfield(1881): tried to political supporters.        unsuccessfully to change this.

                    President Arthur: Pendleton Act- Congress       

    establishes Civil Service         Commission to give         examinations for federal jobs.

      

Controlling Business The Economy

Problems Solution or Reform

Trusts and Monopolies

-Limit power of big business & regulate activitiesSherman Antitrust Act was passed in 1890 to control trusts and monopolies.

Railroads (oligopolies)

The Interstate Commerce Act, passed in 1887, required railroads to charge and publish “reasonable and just rates”

TariffsLower tariffs to decrease the price of goods.

New Reformers

Socialism – Eugene V. Debs government should own and operate major industries on behalf of all people.

Progressivism End injustice and solve social problems /regulate industry

The Muckrakers- reporters who exposed problems

Lincoln Steffans

Thomas Nast

Exposed political machines in cities

cartoons exposing political machines

Ida Tarbell Wrote articles on big businesses and trusts

Upton Sinclair Wrote The Jungle- exposed horrors of meatpacking industry

Outcome: Meat Inspection Act & Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Jacob Riis

Lewis Hines

How the Other Half Lives – exposed problems of poverty and slumsPhotos of child labor

Nellie Bly Wrote account of abuse in mental hospitals

Reform of GovernmentGoal: to increase the people’s direct control of

government

Robert La Follette Direct Primary-party (Wisconsin) candidates chosen by voters

instead of conventions  The Oregon System Initiative-voters place issue 

on ballotReferendum- voters could accept or reject measures enacted by state legislaturesRecall- voters may remove incompetent elected officials

• Constitutional Changes– Seventeenth Amendment:1912- set forth the direct election of senators (in the old way, state legislatures chose senators)