The Origins of
Progressivism
Political, economic and social
changes would lead to many
progressive reforms in America
Four Goals of Progressivism:
There were unsafe conditions, no rights for
women and children, large corporations,
graft and political corruption.
The Progressive Movement aimed to return
control of the government to the people
and correct a lot of the injustices.
1.
Protect Social Welfare
2.
Promote Moral Improvement
3.
Create economic change
4.
Foster efficiency (what does that mean?)
I.
Protecting Social Welfare:
1. Organizations such as the YMCA was
created, The Salvation Army.
2. Illinois Factory Act was the first act to
prohibit child labor and limited women’s
working hours.
B. Promoting Moral Improvement
1. Others felt that morality, not the
workplace needed to be fixed.
A.
2. Many believed that if only poor
immigrants “uplifted” themselves and
improved their personal behavior,
everything would be better.
a. Prohibition was a result of this – the
banning of alcohol – why was Prohibition
considered to be a moral problem?
b. The Women’s Christian Temperance
Union (WCTU) was formed – they would
enter bars, yelling at patrons and owners –
urging them to throw out their alcohol…
3. WCTU also expanded the woman’s role in
society – began to open schools for
immigrants, visited prisons and asylums.
Democracy and Progressivism
Change first came to the state level –
Party bosses usually controlled which
candidates would run for office –
Robert Lafollette pressured sate legislatures
to require each party to hold a DIRECT
PRIMARY – in which ALL party members
could vote for a candidate
1.
2. Other electoral changes came in 3 new
reforms:
A. Initiative – allowed groups of people to
introduce legislation and require a VOTE on it.
B. Referendum allowed proposed legislation to
be SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE for
APPROVAL
C. Recall allowed voters to demand a special
election to remove an elected official from
office
C. – Creating Economic Reform:
Because of all of the new big business
practices and corruption, many began to
urge for a socialist government.
“Muckrakers” – were journalists who
would dig up “dirt” on corporations and
big business owners such as Rockefeller
and his Standard Oil Co.
D. – Fostering Efficiency
1. This focused on the high costs of working long
hours both for the individual and society.
2. Scientific Management would study to see how
quickly each task cold be performed – to cut
the human workload as well as energy costs.
a. Factory work made people work more like
machines – which crated a high turnover rated.
Natural Disasters also played a role.
In 1900 a cat 5 hurricane leveled the city of
Galveston TX.
The politicians in the city botched up the
relief effort – pocketing most of the $
given for clean u.
This sparked government reform as well on
natural disasters.
III. Reform at the State Level.
A. Protecting working children.
1. Business hired children bc they performed
unskilled jobs for low wages and they had
smaller hands.
2. However, more children were prone to
fatigue, many developed health problems
and stunted growth.
3. The result was legislation that banned
child labor and set a maximum number of
hours.
IV. Efforts to Limit Working Hours.
1. Progressives also succeeded in winning
workers compensation to help families of
workers who are hurt or killed on the job.
Teddy Roosevelt
A “Square Deal”
Speak softly and
Carry a Big Stick…
Roosevelt’s Rise…
1.
2.
3.
4.
Became a leader in NY Politics
Volunteer Calvary Brigade to fight at San
Juan Hill in Cuba
Elected Governor of NY – eventually
became Vice President under William
McKinley
What happened to McKinley?
Had over 35 careers in his lifetime:
Published 35 books
A Naturalist
Led scientific expeditions in Africa and U.S.
Expert on North American Mammals
Conservationist
A Historian
A Rancher
Father of 6 children
The Modern Presidency
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Youngest President at the age of 42.
Dominated the media – was an avid
boxer, hunter, swimmer, runner
Leadership and personality helped him
become a model for all future presidencies
to be measured by.
Active, forceful leader – used this to
control laws and control the media.
Made sure that common people received a
“Square Deal”.
Believed in Federal Power
1. Trust-busting:
A. Trusts – such as Standard Oil had unfair
business practices.
( Lowered prices to drive out
competitors then, jacked up prices again)
B. Ordered the Justice Dept. to begin suing
Trusts for unfair practices
C. Filed 44 anti-trust suits against companies.

1902 Coal Strike..
A.
B.
140,000 miners in PA went on strike
demanding 20% raise.
Roosevelt interned himself.
a. Called in both sides to the White
House
b. Mine owners were scared Roosevelt
would take over the mines.
c. Invited a 3rd party (a mediator) to
handle it.
d. Why is this Important?
The Result..?
Roosevelt’s actions demonstrated a new
Principle:
1. When a strike threatened the public,
the government was expected to step in.
2. Reflected Progressive belief that
disputes could be settled by experts.
Roosevelt would back several Progressive
Laws and Movements:
Health and the Environment..
A. Regulating Food and Drugs
Roosevelt’s actions demonstrated a new
Principle:
1. When a strike threatened the public,
the government was expected to step in.
2. Reflected Progressive belief that
disputes could be settled by experts.
Roosevelt would back several Progressive
Laws and Movements:
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pure Food and Drug Act.
Before regulations, products claimed to
cure everything from cancer to hair loss.
Many products contained opium or
cocaine.
1906, Congress passed the Pure Food
and Drug Act.
Halted sale of contaminated foods and
medicines
Why is this important? Progressive belief
that gave Americans truthful labels and
information.
Conservation and Natural
Resources
1. Farmers were leveling out forests and
destroying/farming out prairie land.
 2. Ranchers were over-grazing.
 3. Coal companies were cluttering the
land with mines.
 4. Cities dumped untreated sewage into
rivers and streams.

A.
Conservation Measures
1. Set aside over 148 million acres of
land for forest reserve.
2. Established over 50 wildlife
sanctuaries.
3. Conservation, to them, meant some
areas would be preserved while others will
be developed for common good.
How was he toward Civil Rights?
1. Appointed an African American as the
head of Charleston, SC Customs House.
 2. Invited Booker T. Washing to the
White House.
(These were not considered huge actions)
3. W.E.B. Dubois, angered by the
Progressive Era ignoring their cause, set
up the NAACP.
