1 THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT AP US History 2 The Progressive Movement Industrialization, urbanization, and immigration brought many benefits to America, but they also produced challenging social problems. In response, a movement called Progressivism emerged in the late 1890s. Progressives believed that new ideas and honest, efficient government could bring about social justice. Progressives brought lasting reforms that still effect society today. Objectives 3 Discuss the rise of the Progressive movement. Evaluate the impact of initiative, referendum, and recall, and of the 17th Amendment. Roots of Progressivism 4 It was a series of reforms that changed and transformed American society in the early 1900s is referred to as the Progressive Era (1890-1920). Progressives felt society needed reforms; however they differed on how to fix the problems they believed existed in American society. Roots of Progressivism 5 Progressives came from all walks of life. They came from all political parties, social classes, ethnic groups, and religions. Many emerged from the middle class, whose power and influence was expanding. Dissatisfied industrial workers also joined the movement. Roots of Progressivism 6 Few wealthy Americans joined the movement, only those who wanted to act for the good of society. Progressives shared a common belief that industrialization and urbanization had created social and political problems. Progressives wanted to correct problems and injustices. Roots of Progressivism 7 They encouraged their state legislatures and the federal government to enact laws to address the issues faced by the poor. Progressives wanted to use logic and reason to make society work more efficient and orderly. Many were motivated by religious faith, and sought social justice. Roots of Progressivism 8 Similar to the Populist Movement: Both reform movements. Wanted to get rid of corrupt government officials. Make government more responsive to the people’s needs. Sought to eliminate abuses of big business. Difference: Progressives were middle-class people who believed that highly educated leaders should use modern ideas and scientific techniques to improve society. Populist consisted of mostly farmers and workers. Roots of Progressivism 9 Problems targeted by Progressives: Political reform Women felt the number one goal was to win the right to vote. Other considered honest government to be the most important goal. Roots of Progressivism 10 Reforms targeted city officials who built corrupt organizations, called political machines. The bosses of these machines used bribery and violence to influence voters and win elections. Counted on city workers to look the other way when they took money for themselves. Roots of Progressivism 11 Corrupt and ineffective government combined with booming cities produced problems. People in cities needed paved streets, safe drinking water, decent housing, and adequate municipal services—led to very poor living conditions. Roots of Progressivism 12 Often dishonest business owners and politicians controlled municipal services. Roots of Progressivism 13 Other Progressives focused on big business. They thought the Sherman Antitrust Act was inadequate and ineffective in limiting the abuses of big business. Still other progressive reformers, were motivated by their religious faith, they sought to reduce the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor. Roots of Progressivism 14 Many attacked harsh conditions endured by miners, factory workers, and other laborers. They wanted better conditions for poor people in the city slums. social welfare laws to help children. government regulations to aid workers and consumers. Muckrakers 15 Socially conscious journalist and other writers whose investigations exposed a wide range of ills affecting Americans. Teddy Roosevelt first used this term-(A muckrake is a tool used to clean manure and hay out of animal’s stables.) Muckrakers 16 The name became a badge of honor. • People were horrified by the conditions that were revealed to them. • Lincoln Steffens was the editor of McClure’s, a magazine known for uncovering social problems. • 1903—published The Shame of the Cities, a collection of articles on political corruption. • Muckrakers 17 Another influential muckrakers was Jacob Riis, he was a photographer for the New York Evening Sun. He started taking pictures of the crowded, unsafe, rat infested tenement building where the urban poor lived. He published How the Other Half Lives, which shocked the nation and led to reform. Jacob Riis 18 Jacob Riis 19 Jacob Riis 20 Jacob Riis 21 Jacob Riis 22 Jacob Riis 23 Jacob Riis 24 Muckrakers 25 Ida Tarbell wrote the History of Standard Oil, she reported that John D. Rockefeller used ruthless methods to ruin his competitors, charged higher prices, and thereby reaping huge profits. 26 Muckrakers 27 Others proclaimed the need to improve schools, and warned of the breakdown of family life. John Spargo focused on the dangerous and difficult lives of child workers. Muckrakers 28 In The Jungle, Upton Sinclair related to despair of immigrants working in Chicago’s Stockyards and revealed unsanitary conditions in the industry. “I aimed at their hearts and hit them in the stomach”-Upton Sinclair The Jungle 29 The Jungle 30 Video 31 http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5727/ The Jungle Reforming Government 32 Progressive reformers realized that they needed to reform the political process in order to reform society. They knew that they would have to free government from the control of political bosses and powerful business interests. They wanted to give people more control over their government and make government more effective and efficient. Reforming Government 33 Efficiency progressives believed business had become more efficient by applying scientific management. They took these ideas and wanted to apply them to government-cities should be run by experts not by politicians. They wanted either a commission or councilmanager system of government. Reforming Government 34 Under these plans, city government would be divided into several departments, which would be under the control of an expert. 1900—a massive hurricane left the city of Galveston, Texas, in ruins. The hurricane killed 8000. As an emergency measure, they replaced their mayor and board of aldermen with a 5-person commission. Reforming Government 35 The commission form of government proved to be very efficient as the city carried out its rebuilding effort. Galveston decided to permanently adopt the commission form of government. Many other cities decided to take-up a commission plan of government. By 1918, nearly 500 cities had adopted some form of the Galveston Plan. Reforming Government 36 Reforming Government 37 Many modified it by adding a city manager to head the commission. This curbed the power of party bosses and their political machines. Many reform governments purchased public utilities so that residents were not charged unfairly. Reforming Government 38 Progressives also pushed for election reform taking up some Populist ideas. Traditionally, party leaders picked candidates for state and local offices. In Wisconsin, a reform governor established a direct primary, an election in which citizens themselves vote to select nominees for elections. 1916—all states by 4 had direct primaries. Reforming Government 39 Progressives wanted to make sure that elected officials would follow the citizen’s wishes. To achieve this goal, they worked for 3 political reforms: 1—initative: gave people the power to put a proposed law directly on the ballot in the next election by collecting citizen’s signatures on a petition. 2—Referendum: allows citizens to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature. 3—Recall: gives voters the power to remove public officials from office before their term ends. Reforming Government 40 Progressives also adopt the Populist call for the direct election of Senators by voters, not state legislatures. This reform becomes law in 1913, with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. Reforming Government 41 Robert La Follette of Wisconsin—known as “Fighting Bob” was elected governor in 1900; he won the passage of many reform laws. Under him, Wisconsin government forced railroads to charge lower fees and pay higher taxes. He improved education, made factories safer, and adopted a direct primary. Wisconsin became known as the “laboratory of democracy.” Women Make Progress 42 1900—a growing number of women wanted to do more than fulfill their roles as wives and mothers. Education helped them achieve their goals. However, for most women working outside the home meant difficult jobs, with long hours and dangerous conditions. Women Make Progress 43 Without being able to vote, women had little influence on the politicians who could expand their rights and look after their interests. One of the goals was to limit the number of work hours. Argue that this harmed working women and families. The courts did rule that there could be laws to limit their hours. (Muller v. Oregon 1908) Women Make Progress 44 Florence Kelly believed women were hurt by unfair prices of goods they had to buy to run the home. She helps to found the National Consumer League Still active today. Women Make Progress 45 This gives special labels to “goods produced under fair, safe, and healthy working conditions.” Women were urged to avoid products that did not have these labels. She also helped to found the Women's Trade Union League; they also worked to improve conditions for female factory workers. Women Make Progress 46 A main goal of Progressive women was to improve family life. Pushed for laws to help mothers keep families healthy and safe. Another focus was the temperance movement led by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. This group promoted temperance, the practice of never drinking alcohol. Women Make Progress 47 They felt that alcohol led men to spend their earnings for liquor, neglecting their families and abusing their wives. Helped to get passage of the 18th Amendment which outlawed the production and sale of alcohol. Women Make Progress 48 Nurse Margaret Sanger believed that women’s health and family life could be improved if mother’s had fewer children. 1916, she opened the first birth-control clinic. She was jailed several times as a “public nuisance.” She founds the American Birth Control League to make this information available to more women. Women Make Progress 49 Ida B. Wells, an African American teacher, helps to form the National Association of Colored Women. This organization aimed to help families strive to success and assist those less fortunate. Women Make Progress 50 Boldest goal of Progressive women was suffrage— the right to vote. Argued that this was the only way to make sure that the government would protect children, foster education, and support family life. Early reformers like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked for women to have a voice in politics. Women Make Progress 51 They failed at the federal level, but by the end of the 1890s women in western states, won the right to vote. 1890s, the national suffragist movement was reenergized by Carrie Chapman Catt. Urged women to join the National American Women Suffrage Association. Women Make Progress 52 As president she had a 2 pronged attack: 1. Lobbied Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment giving women the right to vote. 2. Use new referendum process to pass state laws (New York, Michigan, and Oklahoma). Women Make Progress 53 Introduced a “society plan” to recruit wealthy, welleducated women. Signed on women from all levels of society, including African American, Mexican Americans, and Jewish immigrants. These women were called “suffragettes.” Women Make Progress 54 Some women opposed suffrage—The National Association Opposed to Women Suffrage. Felt the effort put into getting the right to vote took women’s attention away from family. Some women, known as social activists grew more daring in their strategies. Women Make Progress 55 Alice Paul believed that drastic steps were needed to win the vote. 1917—formed the National Women’s Party and used public protest marches. First group to march with picket signs outside the White House. Hundreds of women were arrested in these protests. Women Make Progress 56 Women Make Progress 57 Women Make Progress 58 Some went on hunger strikes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwd2sLEuw30 These methods angered many people. When the US entered WWI in 1917, Carrie Catt and Florence Kelley led the NAWSA to support the war effort. This convinced a growing number of legislations to support the suffrage movement. Women Make Progress 59 Congress approved the 19th Amendment, it stated that the right to vote “shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.” August 18, 1920—Tennessee State House of Representatives passed the amendment by 1 vote. With Tennessee’s ratification enough states had passed the amendment that it became official. Women Make Progress 60 November 2, 1920— millions of American women voted for the first time. Social Progressives 61 Many other Progressives focused on social issues such as crime, illiteracy, alcohol abuse, child labor, and health and safety of Americans. They pushed for new laws to fix social problems. They believed careful social planning would make American life better. Some reformers, like Walter Rauschenbusch, thought Christianity should be the basis of social reform. Social Progressives 62 In his book Christianity and the Social Crisis he outlined what he called the Social Gospel. By following the Bible’s teachings about charity and justice, he said, people could make society “the kingdom of God.” Many Protestant leaders followed this and began to push for an end to child labor and shorter work week. Social Progressives 63 Also pushed for the federal government to limit the power of corporations and trusts. A goal for Progressives was to improve the lives of poor people in cities. The Settlement House movement was one approach; these were community centers that provided social services. Social Progressives 64 Services included: Child care classes Taught English Nursery schools and Kindergartens Provided theater, art and dance programs. Jane Addams was the most prominent leader of this movement. Founded Hull House which grew to 13 buildings, and inspired women to become social workers. Social Progressives 65 Progressives tried to help children. Florence Kelley led the effort. She convinced the State of Illinois to ban child labor, and other states followed. 1902– US Children’s Bureau was formed. (still active today) They examined any issue that affected the health and welfare of children. Social Progressives 66 1906—Keating-Owen Act was passed, which banned child labor; 2 years later was ruled unconstitutional. 1938—Congress finally ended child labor for good. Many Progressives wanted to improve children’s lives by education. Many states passed laws requiring children attend school until a certain age. Social Progressives 67 Debate came in what children should learn and how they should learn. Some wanted them taught work skills. Others thought they should learn to appreciate literature and music. Most agreed that girls should learn different things from boys. John Dewey criticized schools for teaching memorization and not teaching to think creatively. Social Progressives 68 He wanted new subjects like history, geography, as well as practical skills like cooking and carpentry. Social Progressives 69 Social Progressives 70 Social Progressives 71 1900s the US had the highest rate of industrial accidents in the world. Long hours, poor ventilation, fumes, and unsafe machinery threatened safety and also lives. Each year 30,000 workers died on the job and 500,000 were injured. March 1911, a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York forced attention to the need to protect workers. Social Progressives 72 Workers had little chance to escape the raging fire because mangers had locked most of the exits. 146 workers, mostly young women died. Many jumped from the windows in desperation. Inside, firefighters found many more victims, “skeleton’s bending over sewing machines.” Social Progressives 73 This outraged Progressives. Many states passed laws to make the workplace safer. Social Progressives 74 Social Progressives 75 Social Progressives 76 Social Progressives 77 Progressives Take on Big Business 78 Felt that wealth was concentrated in the hands of too few people. Concerned that giant corporations were dominated many industries. Disagreed on how to regulate big business. Many wanted to break-up big companies; other wanted an agency to prevent them from abusing their power. Progressives Take on Big Business 79 Some advocated socialism—Eugene Debs ran as a candidate for the American Socialist Party. However, most Progressives believed in the superiority of the American system of freeenterprise. 80 Roosevelt in Office Section 2 Roosevelt 81 Describe various efforts to regulate concentrated corporate power. Discuss Theodore Roosevelt’s interest in environmental conservation. 82 Section 2: Roosevelt in Office In the late 1800s, the United States had several weak and ineffective Presidents. The arrival of Theodore Roosevelt, a charismatic figure who embraced Progressive ideals, ushered in a new era. Roosevelt passed Progressive reforms and expanded the powers of the presidency. He changed the way Americans viewed the roles of the President and the government. Roosevelt 83 Theodore Roosevelt, better known as “Teddy,” took office at age 42-the youngest person ever to serve as President. Had the reputation for being smart, energetic, competitive, and opinionated. Sickly child of wealthy parents. Graduated with honors from Harvard University and started studying law at Columbia University before being elected to the New York Assembly. Roosevelt 84 After 3 years of service and the deaths of his mother and wife, Alice, he retired to a ranch in the West. There he developed a great love for the outdoors and the wilderness. 1889, he returned to politics. Became president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners, he fought corruption. Roosevelt 85 McKinley named him Assistant Secretary of the Navy. When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, he resigned his post and formed the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit. After the war he was elected governor of New York, where he pushed for Progressive reforms. Roosevelt 86 He annoyed many Republican leaders in the state, and they convinced McKinley to choose Roosevelt as his running mate so he would leave New York. When McKinley was assassinated he became President. He started to dominate public attention. Children begged for teddy bear, a new stuffed animal named for him. Roosevelt 87 Internationally, he was a Social Darwinist. He believed the US was in competition with other nations in the world, and that only the fittest would survive. Domestically, Roosevelt was a Progressive, and believed that government should actively balance the needs of competing groups in society. Roosevelt 88 He will greatly expand the power of the President. He will use his office and its powers to convince Americans of the need for change and to push through his reform proposals. His program was called the Square Deal, and its goal was to keep the wealthy and powerful from taking advantage of small business owners and the poor. Roosevelt 89 His idea of fair government did not mean that everyone would get rich or that the government should take care of the lazy. Compared his Square Deal to a hand of cards. “When I say I believe in a square deal, I do not mean to give every man the best hand. If good cards do not come to any man, or if they do come and he has not got the power to play then, that is his affair. All I mean is that there shall be no crookedness in the dealing.” Theodore Roosevelt, “The New Nationalism, 1910” Roosevelt 90 He believed that the US needed to adopt Progressive reforms in order to maintain an efficient society that could compete successfully against other nations. Although he admired competition, he was concerned with efficiency. Believed that trusts and other large business organizations were very efficient and part of the reason for American prosperity. Roosevelt 91 However, he remained concerned with the pursuit of their private interests. Wanted to find a way to supervise big business without destroying its economic efficiency. Trustbusting and Regulating Industries 92 Roosevelt often stepped in with the power and authority of the federal government. He considered himself head manager and felt it was his job to keep society operating efficiently by preventing conflict between the nation’s different groups and their interests. 1902—Pennsylvania coal miners went on strike. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 93 They wanted a pay raise and shorter work week. He sympathized with miners, but knew that a steady stream of coal was needed to keep factories working and homes heated. He felt this was an example of groups pursuing their private interests at the expense of the nation. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 94 He urged the union and owners to accept arbitration—the union agreed but the owners did not. He threatened to send federal troops to take over control of the mines and run them with federal employees. This forced the owners to give in and give the miners a small pay increase and a 9-hour workday. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 95 This was the first time, the federal government stepped in to help workers in a labor dispute. This was the first step toward establishing the federal government as honest brokers between powerful groups in society. Roosevelt then convinced Congress to establish the Department of Commerce and Labor to monitor businesses engaged in interstate commerce and keep capitalist from abusing their power. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 96 Within this department would be a division called the Bureau of Corporations, with the authority to investigate corporations and issue reports on their activities. They investigated US Steel. The company worried about an antitrust lawsuit, the company’s leaders met privately with Roosevelt and offered a deal. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 97 They would let the Bureau into their account books and in exchange if they found anything wrong they could correct the problem without having to go to court. “Gentlemen’s Agreement” The cost of shipping freight on the railroads had been an issue since the 1870s. Railroad companied were charging whatever they wanted. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 98 This was especially troublesome for western farmers. They had no other way to move their products to eastern markets. 1887—Congress created the Interstate Commerce Commission to oversee rail charges on shipments that passed through more than one state. 1900 the Supreme Court stripped away most of the ICC’s power. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 99 Roosevelt pashed for the passage of the Elkins Act, this would impose fines on railroads that gave special rates to favored shippers. 1906—Congress passes the Hepburn Act, this gave the ICC strong enforcement powers. Gave the government the authority to set and limit shipping costs. Also set maximum prices for ferries, bridge tolls, and oil pipelines. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 100 Eventually, the railroads realized that they could work with the ICC to set rates and regulations that limited competition and prevented new competitors from entering the industry. 1920—it was setting rates at levels intended to ensure the industries profit. It did not take long for the President and his administration to earn the reputation as a “trustbuster.” Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 101 Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 102 In response, to an antitrust lawsuit filed by Roosevelt's attorney general, the Supreme Court ruled that Northern Securities Company—a big railroad company—was an illegal trust. Northern Securities was a holding company created by the Union Pacific, Great Northern, and Northern Pacific Railroads to control the Burlington Railroad. Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 103 The Court ruled it violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. The next year, the Court found that a beef trust and several agricultural companies broke antitrust laws. Roosevelt was not interested in bringing down all large companies. Thought there was a difference between “good trusts” and “bad trusts.” Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 104 Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 105 Believed that big business was more efficient than small ones. He thought big business was bad only if it bullied smaller outfits and cheated consumers. Supported powerful trusts that did business fairly. Also was called the “trust-tamer.” Trustbusting and Regulating Industry 106 Social Welfare Action 107 1905—Comsumer protection became a national issue. A series of articles were published in Collier’s Magazine describing the patent medicine business. Many companies were patenting and marketing potions that claimed would cure a variety of ills. Social Welfare Action 108 Vitameatavegamin Many were just alcohol, colored water, sugar, and some contained caffeine, opium, cocaine, and other dangerous compounds. Consumers had no way of knowing what they were taking, nor any assurance the medicine would work as claimed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= VMaKTGaKLBE Social Welfare Action 109 Many American were equally concerned about the food they ate. 1906—Upton Sinclair published The Jungle; this was based on his close observation of the slaughter houses in Chicago. His description of the filthy, unhealthy conditions revolted the public and the President. Social Welfare Action 110 Social Welfare Action 111 In response, Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act—provided federal agents to inspect any meat sold across state lines and required federal inspection of meat-processing plants. If there are any serious problems, inspectors can force meat-packers to pull the product off the shelves. This is one of the lasting results of Progressives', the fact that government now takes responsibility for food safety though the Agricultural Department. Social Welfare Action 112 The Pure Food and Drug Act placed the same controls on other foods and on medicines. It bans the interstate shipment of impure foods and mislabeling of food and drugs. FDA monitors companies to make sure people are not hurt by dangerous substances and dishonest labels. Ex—before a drug can be sold, it must be tested and approved by the FDA. Social Welfare Action 113 The Government Manages the Environment 114 Roosevelt’s deep reverence for nature also shapes his politics. He published books on hunting and the rugged west that reflected his fascination with the competition between humans and the wilderness. Federal government established the Yellowstone National Park in 1872 to protect wildlife. The Government Manages the Environment 115 The Government Manages the Environment 116 He will clearly put his stamp on the presidency in the area of conservation. He felt that natural resources were being used at an alarming rate. 1891—Congress gave the President the power to protect timberlands by setting aside land as federal forests. He closed off more than 100 million acres of forestland. The Government Manages the Environment 117 He thought that if some wild lands held valuable resources, they were not meant to be used. He called for experts to draw up plans for both conservation and using the forests. He drew on “rational use” ideas of Gifford Pinchot, who led the Division of Forestry in the US Department of Agriculture. The Government Manages the Environment 118 He recommended forests be preserved for public use. This meant that forests should be protected so that tress could have time to mature into good lumber. Then, the protected areas should be logged for wood to build house and new areas placed under protection. These ideas will come to dominate American policies toward natural resources. The Government Manages the Environment 119 A highly controversial natural resource issue was water. Over centuries, Native Americas had used various methods to bring water to the arid Southwest. In the late 1900s, when prospectors began mining and farming the area, this required a great deal of water. The Government Manages the Environment 120 Private irrigation companies came to the area, staked claims to sections of riverbeds and redirected water so farmers could revive or “reclaim” dried up fields. However, bitter fights broke out over who should own water rights and how they should be shared. Roosevelt listened to those who wanted the federal government to help western states by building huge reservoirs to hold and conserve water. The Government Manages the Environment 121 1902—National Reclamation Act, gave the federal government the power to decide where and how water would be distributed. The government would build and manage dams that would create reservoirs, generate power, and direct water flow. The Government Manages the Environment 122 The effects of this project will be felt over the next few decades: Built huge reservoirs and lakes where there had been dry canyons. Salt Valley Project—Arizona Roosevelt and Hoover Dam—on the Colorado River. The Government Manages the Environment 123 Legacy 124 President Roosevelt changed the role of the federal government and the nature of the presidency. Americans began to look to the federal government to solve the nation’s social and economic problems. The executive branch greatly increased its power. 125 The Taft Administration Section 3 Objectives 126 Explain how Theodore Roosevelt helped Taft get elected. Discuss why progressives were disappointed with Taft as president. 127 Section 3: Taft Administration Roosevelt left the presidency after two terms in office, saying he wished to enjoy private life. He was still a powerful force in the Republican Party, however, and he used that power to help Secretary of War William Howard Taft win the presidency in 1908. Roosevelt expected Taft to continue his programs of managing business and natural resources. Political cartoonists made caricatures of Roosevelt handing over what he called “my policies” to Taft, who seemed to have no ideas of his own. Taft 128 Taft 129 Roosevelt hand-picked William Howard Taft to continue his policies. He had been Roosevelt’s friend and most trusted lieutenant. He had been a judge, governor of the Philippines, and Roosevelt's Secretary of the Navy. Due to Roosevelt's efforts he easily won the party nomination. Taft 130 His victory in the general election was a foregone conclusion. He defeated, twice defeated Williams Jennings Bryan. Taft, however, was a very different person than Roosevelt. He was a skillful administrator and judge. He disliked political maneuvering and wanted to avoid conflict. Taft 131 He was slower about approaching issues. So Taft’s personality and approach to politics will quickly bring him into conflict with Progressives. Taft felt that high tariffs limited competition, hurt consumers, and protected trusts. Roosevelt had warned him to stay away from this issue fearing it would divide the Republican Party. Taft 132 Charting his own course he called Congress into special session to work on a new tariff. However, he needed the help of the Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon—he was very powerful and almost total control over debate. Progressives wanted to unseat him. Taft pressured Progressives into stopping this, and his tariff bill was quickly pushed through the House. Taft 133 His angered Progressives. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff, cut tariffs hardly any and actually raised it on some goods, but Taft accepted the bill. Progressives felt betrayed and outraged. He also pushed the Mann-Elkins Act which gave the government control over telephone and telegraph rates. He also encouraged Congress to impose an income tax. Taft 134 Most importantly, he dropped Roosevelt’s distinction between good trusts and bad trusts. Taft’s Justice Department brought lawsuits against twice as many corporation as Roosevelt's had done. 1911—the Supreme Court “busted” the trust built by Standard Oil Company. Taft 135 Taft also supported what the Court called its “rule of reason” which relaxed the hard-line set by the Sherman Antitrust Act. The “rule of reason” allowed big monopolies so long as they did not “unreasonably” squeeze out smaller companies. Roosevelt publically criticized these decisions. Taft 136 Then Taft’s attorney general sued to force US Steel to sell a coal company it had bought. Roosevelt, who had approved this purchase of the company, fumed. Taft further infuriated Roosevelt and other Progressives when he fired Gifford Pinchot for publically criticizing Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger. Taft 137 Pinchot charged Ballinger, who opposed Roosevelt’s conservation policies, had worked with business interest to sell federal land that was rich in coal deposits in Alaska. Taft was however a conservationist. Many felt he had sold the “Square Deal down the river.” 138 The Wilson Years Section 4 Objectives 139 Describe Wilson’s economic and social reforms. Evaluate the legacy of the Progressive movement. 140 Section 4: The Wilson Years Republicans Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft introduced the country to forceful Progressive Presidents. Democrat Woodrow Wilson used the expanded power of the presidency to promote a far-reaching reform agenda. Some of Wilson’s economic and antitrust measures are still important in American life today. Election of 1912 141 This campaign will feature a current President, a former President, and an academic who had just recently entered politics. Believing Taft had failed to live up to Progressives ideals, Roosevelt announced he was willing to accept the Republican nomination. However, at the convention the Republicans split, and Roosevelt will decide to leave the party and declare himself independent. Election of 1912 142 Roosevelt declared himself as “strong as a bull moose,” and vowed to tackle trusts. The Taft-Roosevelt split of the party resulted in the Progressives setting up the Progressive Party. Because Taft had alienated so many groups, the election came down to a contest between 2 Progressives’ the Bull Moose Roosevelt and the Democrat Wilson. Election of 1912 143 The split created an opportunity for the Democrats and Woodrow Wilson to win the election. Wilson’s ideas had caught the attention of Williams Jennings Bryan. As a student and professor he had thought a good bit about good government. His doctoral thesis, “Congressional Government,” had launched him on a career teaching college before he became the reforming governor of New Jersey. Election of 1912 144 Roosevelt’s program for reform was called New Nationalism: Wanted more powerful federal government to regulate trusts. Favored legislation to protect women and children. Supported worker’s compensation Wanted a federal trade commission to regulate industry Election of 1912 145 Wilson’s program of reforms was called New Freedoms: Also wanted strict controls on corporations Supported “regulated monopoly” Wanted to restore competition. Although he did not win the majority of the popular vote, he received 4 times more electoral votes then went to Roosevelt or Taft. Election of 1912 146 First man born in the south to win the presidency in almost 60 years. First Democrat since Grover Cleveland (1892) to be president. Election of 1912 147 Election of 1912 148 Wilson Regulates the Economy 149 He attacked what he called the “tripe-wall of privilege”—the tariffs, banks, and trusts. Felt they blocked from being free. Early on he pushed for new laws to bring down those three walls and gave the government more control over the economy. First, Wilson aimed to protect workers. Wilson Regulates the Economy 150 Wanted to prevent big manufactures from charging unfairly high prices to their customers. One way to do this was to lower the tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries. This would mean if American companies’ prices were too high, consumers could buy foreign goods. Wilson Regulates the Economy 151 Congress passed the Underwood Tariff, which cut tariffs. It also included a provision to create an income tax, which the recently passed Sixteenth Amendment allowed them to do. The revenue from the income tax more than made up for the money the government lost by lowering tariffs on imports. Wilson Regulates the Economy 152 Next, he tried to reform the banking system. The country at this time had no central authority to supervise banks. As a result, interest rates would fluctuate wildly and few wealthy bankers had control over national, state, and local bank’s reserve funds. Wilson Regulates the Economy 153 This meant that a bank might not have full access to its reserves when customers needed to withdraw or borrow money. Federal Reserve Act—placed national banks under control of a Federal Reserve Board, which set up regional banks to hold reserve funds from commercial banks. Wilson Regulates the Economy 154 The system is still in place today, helps to protect the American economy from having too much money that ends up in the hands of one person, bank, or region. The Federal Reserve Board also sets interest rates that banks pay to borrow money from other banks, and it supervises banks to make sure they are well run. Wilson Regulates the Economy 155 This will increase the public confidence in the banking system. This is considered one of the most important pieces of economic legislation before the 1930s. Wilson Focuses on Trusts 156 Agreed with Roosevelt that trusts were not dangerous as long as they did not engage in unfair practices. 1914—Federal Trade Commission (FTC) members of the group were named by the President to monitor business practices that could lead to a monopoly. Also watched for false advertising or dishonest labeling. Wilson Focuses on Trusts 157 Clayton Antitrust Act— strengthened earlier antitrust laws by spelling out those activities in which businesses could not engage. Still in practice today, protecting both businesses and consumers from abusive business activities. Prosecuted companies that traded stocks dishonestly and fined companies that published false ads. Wilson Focuses on Trusts 158 Today regulates buying on the Internet. Still in practice today, protecting labor unions from being attacked as a trust. Now they were more free to organize. Called the “Magna Carta” of labor. Workingmen’s Compensation Act—gave wages to temporarily disabled civil service employees. Wilson Focuses on Trusts 159 Adamson Act—limited railroad employee’s workdays to eight hours. This was to prevent a nation-wide strike that could have paralyzed the entire country. He did not always support organized labor. Ludlow Massacre Wilson Focuses on Trusts 160 By 1914, he felt that his New Freedom was complete, so he turned from activism. However, his compliancy was short-lived after the Democrats suffered losses in the election. So he began to support further reforms. Keating-Owen Child Labor Act—first federal child labor law, however the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. Legacy of Progressivism 161 Wilson built upon Roosevelt’s foundation, and expanded the role of the federal government and of the president. Political reforms made important changes in the American political system: referendum, recall, and the 19th Amendment expanded voters’ influence. Federal government grew to offer more protection to American’s private lives, but also gained more control over people’s lives. Initiative, Legacy of Progressivism 162 Economically: Antitrust laws Federal Reserve Board Other agencies to closely watch over the economy. Consumer protection Legacy of Progressivism 163 Natural Resources: Expanded the role in managing natural resources. In the West—dams, reservoirs, national parks, and conservation. Many problems identified by Progressives still affect us today. There are still dishonest sellers, unfair employment practices, and problems in schools, cities, the environment, and public health. Legacy of Progressivism 164 They passed on ideas that the government can take action to help people fix those problems. As the country entered WWI, however, Americans soon turned from reforming their own society to a crusade to “make the world safe for democracy.” Legacy of Progressivism 165 Progressives did fail to address African American issues. 1905—at Niagara Falls, DuBois and 28 other African American leaders met to demand full political rights and responsibilities. Known as the Niagara Movement. Led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)