Progressive Movement
Socialist/Communist philosophies in Europe start trend. U.S. lags far behind in
protection of workers, even to this day
In politics/society/economy:
- Australian Ballot – secret voting and listing every candidate
- Federal Reserve Act – 1913 3rd National Bank?
- 16th amendment – income tax
- 17th Amendment – 1913, Senators elected directly by the people.
- 18th Amendment – prohibition 1919 (repealed by XXI)
- 19th Amendment – 1920, gave women the right to vote
- recall, referendum & initiative
- use of initiative (legislation proposed by the people) referendum
(legislation approved by the people) and recall (getting rid of bad
politicians – Gray Davis) on state and local level (eg killingly budget)
- Municipalities – opposition to corrupt political machines
Muckrakers – Investigative reporters focused on exposing corruption (very
influencial until 1910)
- International Worker of the World (IWW or Wobblies) Radical
- AFL 4 million members by 1920
- Socialist/Communist Appeal and fears
- Modern school system begins to emerge in late 1800’s (supported by
social philosophers like John Dewey)
- mandatory attendance, age/grade system, professional teachers,
PTA, Kindergarten (effort to Americanize immigrants)
- Labor
- Child labor
- by 1900, almost 20% of children 10-15 are employed (very poor
conditions and many injuries in factories)
- 1900 most states have no minimum wage by 1914 every state but one did
- 1906 The Bitter Cry of Children 1906 by John Spargo (socialist)
- most local laws are weak and unenforced (today as well???)
- 1912 Congress passes the Children’s Bureau to investigate abuses
against kids
- 1916 Congress passes the Keating-Owen Act forbidding interstate trade
of goods made by kids – Supreme Court overturns
- still by 1930 only 4% of kids age 10-15 work.
- Women – considered weaker, paid lower wages
- a few states pass max hours/day laws just for women
- 1908 Supreme Court upholds these laws, and 39 states follow suit
by 1917
- minimum wage laws for women are next by some states (just for
women), but these wages are still below poverty line.
Teddy Roosevelt - “to work out methods of controlling the big corporations without
paralyzing the energies of the business community” – TR
- rugged outdoorsman and “show off”
- Reform background – Civil Service Commissioner
- First modern president – uses every power at his disposal, bully pulpit.
- modern lobbying of congressmen – no longer the aloof, hands off president that
sits back and watches Congress wrangle and debate, then signs whatever they
pass.
- increases efficiency of executive branch, merit system hiring
- establishes press secretary and office
- labor- coal strike on 1902
- Americans fear not fuel for winter heat.
- unions want 8 hour work day, raises, and union recognition (union house)
- TR sets up a commission to mediate between owners and labor. Owners refuse.
TR uses army to take control of mines, alarmed, the owners now agree to
arbitration. Union gets 9 hour day, 10% raise but not recognition.
“To hell with the Constitution, the people want coal” – TR
- 1907 & 1908 pushes unsuccessfully for 8 hour workday.
- Corporate Regulation
- reputation as a trust buster not really earned. Political cartoon – “good” trusts on
a leash, bad trust shot dead.
- brings 44 antitrust suits, but avoids corporate giants.
- most suits have inconclusive outcomes, but establish ACTIVE regulatory role of
natl. govt.
- Food and Drug Act (establish FDA), Meat Inspection Act (The Jungle – Sinclair
1906), Hepburn Act 1906 (gives ICC power to set max rail rates)
- pushes unsuccessfully for stock market regulation