“Liberty creates wealth and wealth destroys liberty”
The Issues: How should the USA deal with the demise of
democracy and capitalism?
Leave it alone, replace it or repair it?
The early reaction:
Labor Unions: promote the interests of the working class
The Populist Party: promote a program of reforms
The Populist (People’s) Party
 1892: the Populist Party emerged
lasted until 1908, then disappeared
 Populists believed that the Republican and Democratic
parties were controlled by wealthy business leaders and
bankers
 Populists represented the interests of farmers and other
working class Americans
 They believed that MORE government action was
needed in order to save and to restore democracy
AND capitalism.
 Here are some of their ideas….
The POPULIST PARTY PLATFORM: 1892
 They believed that certain businesses were public necessities and should be regulated by
the government in the interest of the PUBLIC, not the private business.
 Wanted to unify all workers in all areas of the economy.
 Laws to protect workers and labor unions.
 Government ownership/regulation of the railroad industry.
 Creation of banks that were regulated by the government.
 Creation of an national currency regulated by the government.
 Currency to be supported by silver rather than gold (“free silver” movement).
 Wanted to INFLATE the economy (put more currency into circulation).
 Desired a more equitable distribution of wealth.
 Create a “graduated income tax” – based upon one’s ability to pay taxes.
 Supported a “secret ballot” form of voting, free from interference.
 Supported idea of “initiative and referendum”.
 Demanded the direct election of US Senators by the voters, not by state legislatures.
 Limit president to one term in office.
 Government should begin a “land conservation program” so that the people could profit
from America’s natural riches, not individual land speculators.
 Supported a pension program for veteran soldiers who gave service to the nation.
 Restrict “undesirable” immigration (the criminal, the pauper, the invalid).
 Demanded an 8 hour work day.
A Populist View of the
American Worker in 1900
A well-known book written by mid-westerner
Frank L. Baum was an allegory or parable
that revealed the writer’s feelings about the
status of American workers in 1900.
What are the character representations?
What is the story REALLY about?
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Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto
Elvira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the East
The Munchkins
The Lollipop Guild and the Lullaby League
The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion
The Flying Monkeys (“Enslaved Yellow Winkies”)
Glinda, Good Witch of the North
The Henchmen
The Wizard
Yellow Brick Road
Land of OZ/Emerald City
Field of Deadly Poppies
The Silver (not Ruby) Slippers
The Domestic Reaction to the Gilded Age
 Due to the social, political and economic changes that occurred during the
Gilded Age, a new phenomena in American history emerged…LIBERALISM
 Liberalism: the ideology of “change” or “reform”.
 “Liberals” identified social, moral, economic and political problems in US.
 Sought to REFORM things so that the principles of capitalism and democracy
could be restored, NOT destroyed.
 Believe that conservative policies (more like laissez-faire) create social,
economic and political problems that liberalism must solve.
 When these problems are solved, liberalism fades away and conservatism
reappears.
 The cycle of conservative policies, their results and liberal reform will,
historically, continue.
 Gilded Age – Progressive Era; 1920s/Depression – New Deal; Civil Rights –
Great Society; Current economic crisis – Obama
The PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT:
An era of reform began when a large group set out to address
the social ills that they perceived had permeated US society.
These reformers were middle class, educated professionals
who sought to improve the lives of a majority of Americans.
This began the first “LIBERAL REFORM” movement in
America that would respond to similar social, political and
economic conditions through the 20 th century.
“liberty creates wealth and wealth destroys liberty”
 The actions of the Progressive movement of the early
20th century in the areas of ECONOMICS,
MORALTITY, SOCIAL WELL-BEING and POLITICS
restored the principles of capitalism and democracy
that had eroded during the Gilded Age.
 Progressivism saved America from revolutionary
change: Socialism
 It also reinforced the basic principles of the preamble
of the US Constitution: EQUALITY and FREEDOM
 “Progressives” today seek to promote the same
philosophy as their predecessors.
 What are its roots?
 Who were the “progressives”?
 What were their goals and strategies?
 What did the progressives achieve?
 Politically
 Economically
 Socially
The Roots of Progressivism
 From what did their basic ideology derive from?
 What did Progressives believe was the true role of government?
 Who was drawn into this activist era of Progressive reform?
 What role did SOCIALISM or MARXISM play in Progressivism?
Who were the “Progressives”?
Progressives came from across the political spectrum
› SOCIALISTS like Eugene V. Debs
› They sought revolutionary change, not reform
and we’re not very popular
› State and national-level politicians
› W.J. Bryan, Robert LaFollette, Roosevelt, Taft and
Wilson were leading Progressives
› African-American Activists:
› Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey and W.E.B.
DuBois and women like Ida B. Wells were the
voices of the early civil rights movement.
› Women:
› Jane Addams , Margaret Sanger, Carrie Catt,
Susan B. Anthony and others
› Conservatives and liberals:
› were involved in the reform efforts of the time but
in varying degrees.
Progressive goals and strategies:
1. Goal:
1. Protecting social welfare (the well-being of all people)
2. Goal:
1. Promoting moral improvement (prohibition of alcohol)
3. Goal:
1. Restoring the principles of capitalism and democracy
(economic and political reforms)
4. Goal: Fostering efficiency
 Strategy:
o Used journalists to expose America’s SOCIAL, POLITICAL
and ECONOMIC problems to the public
 Strategy:
o Used local, state and national governments to promote
massive LEGISLATIVE REFORM.
The “Muckrakers”:
“Investigative reporters” who sought to arouse public opinion
by exposing the “ills” of US society through journalism
 Ida Tarbell: The History of Standard Oil (trusts, or, monopolies)
 Upton Sinclair: The Jungle (conditions in meat packing industry)
 Frank Norris: The Octopus (railroad monopoly)
 Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives (immigrant experience)
 Henry Lloyd: Wealth Against Commonwealth (power of $)
 Lewis Hine: photojournalist (exposed truth about child labor)
 Lincoln Steffans: The Shame of the Cities (political corruption)
 David Phillips: The Treason of the Senate (political corruption)
 Ray Stannard Baker: Following the Color Line (racism)
 John Spargo: The Bitter Cry of Children (child labor)
 Magazines like McClure’s, Cosmopolitan and others
Progressives sought to return political power
to the people by enacting these reforms:
 Initiative
 Voters create legislation, not politicians
 Referendum
 Voters vote on legislation, not politicians
 recall elections
 Remove bad politicians from office
 voter registration
 One voter, one vote
 direct primary
 Voters, not the party, select party candidates
 Australian, or secret ballot
 Direct election of US Senators
 17th amendment to the US Constitution
 Voters elect US senators, not legislatures
 Women’s suffrage
 19th Amendment to the Constitution
Women and the
Progressive Movement
 What are some stereotypes of women in today’s world?
 Many still believe that a woman’s “place is in the home”, not in college or
in the business world. What are your thoughts?
 Do men and women have the same opportunities?
 Do men and women have equal rights in public life?
 Would you vote for a women for president?
 What types of jobs did women do before and after 1900? Identify 3 jobs
women without a formal education had.
 Describe the advantages and disadvantages women faced in the work
force.
 In what ways did women lead the reform? Who were they?
 What was the 3-part strategy used to gain suffrage? Results?
 In what ways did women during the Progressive Era aid in furthering the
status of women in America?
The Progressive Era Presidents
Theodore Roosevelt (Rep) 1901-1909
William Howard Taft (Rep): 1909-1913
Woodrow Wilson (Dem): 1913-1921
TR’s “Square Deal”: 1901-1909
The Three C’s
 1. Control Trusts/monopolies:
 Labor Relations
 Dept. of Commerce and Labor – to promote fair
treatment of workers in all industries
 Anthracite Coal Strike (‘02) TR sided secretly with
labor union
 Elkins Act (‘03)
 Extended governments authority over railroad and
communications industries
 Hepburn Act (‘06)
 Government regulation of the railroads
 Northern Securities Case (’04)
 Government broke up the railroad trust
 “GOOD vs. BAD trusts”
 regulate those in the public interest
 control those that hurt the public
TR’s “Square Deal”
 2. CONSUMER PROTECTION –
TR supported government regulation of food and drugs
 Meat Inspection Act (‘06)
established the Department of Agriculture
set standards for the meat packing industry
 The Pure Food and Drug Act (‘06)
established the US Food and Drug Administration
set standards for the manufacture of consumable goods
 Both enacted as a result of muckraking journalism (The Jungle)
TR’s Square Deal
3. Conservation of Public Lands
(TR’s most enduring and tangible achievement)
 Newland’s Reclamation Act: reclaimed lands from private businesses
for use by the general public
 Land Preservation Act: established the National Parks System; Hetch
Hetchy Valley (Yosemite National Park), public water for northern
California, National Parks Service and the Department of the Interior
 Government served as a mediator between the environmentalist and
the “resource predator”
The Taft
Adminstration:
1908-1912
 TR’s hand-selected successor who was to continue with TR’s “trust
busting” Progressive actions
 Was actually only a “mild Progressive” who usually sided with and
sought compromise with big business in many cases.
 Accused by TR of betraying the Republican’s progressive ideals.
 “Ballinger-Pinchot” scandal illustrated Taft’s true self.
Taft Progressive “accomplishments”:
1908-1912
 Mann-Elkins Act (‘10): strengthened Interstate Commerce Commission,
set fair interstate trade regulations and freight rates on railroads
 Payne-Aldrich Tariff: raised tariffs (although it was meant to maintain a
lower tariff) that protected US businesses (pro-business)
 The Department of Mines: designed to keep lands in the public interest
and out of the hands of private investors
 Dollar-Diplomacy: to promote prosperity in Latin America, Wall Street
bankers were encouraged to invest in these nations (pro-business)
 80+ anti-trust suits that sought COMPROMISE rather than REGULATION
 Assessment of Taft and Progressivism:
Was TR’s claim that Taft had abandoned his (TR’s) progressive
policies entirely fair?
Election of 1912:
The Republicans were “split”
This election will define modern day Democrats and Republicans
 William Howard Taft
 Teddy Roosevelt
 received party’s nomination
 Upset by Taft’s inaction, TR ran as
the Progressive/Bull Moose Party as
a 3rd party candidate for president
 promised to continue a more
conservative approach to
reform…meaning a return to more  NEW NATIONALISM
laissez-faire capitalism
 a more liberal approach:
 sought greater federal
 *sought less federal and more
state involvement in the economic
and social affairs of Americans
 Split in Republican Party
involvement in reform, more
regulatory agencies of the
national government, women’s
suffrage, more social welfare
and better care for the working
class
 With Taft, they shared 50% of the
vote
The Election of 1912
Progressive Reform was the key DOMESTIC issue
 Woodrow Wilson: Democratic candidate
 “New Freedom” Program:
believed that an active government should be involved in the socioeconomic affairs of the nation;
concerned with promoting interests of small businesses;
opposed social welfare programs;
desired to fragmentize or break up trusts in order to restore capitalist
competition.
 Campaigned against the “triple wall of privilege”:
High Tariffs, powerful banks and monopolies
 WILSON, receiving only 41% of the popular vote, was elected
Wilson’s New Freedom
1912-1920
 Was PRAGMATIC, like TR. He believed that
presidential policies should reflect the basic
foundations of America (which are outlined in
the preamble). His accomplishments:
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Underwood Tariff (LOWEST tariff to date)
16th Amendment (graduated income tax)
17th Amendment (direct election of Senators)
Federal Reserve Act (regulated banking industry)
Clayton Anti-trust Act (broke up trusts)
Federal Trade Commission (regulated trade/business)
Federal Farm Loan Act (GOVT. loans to farmers)
Adamson Act (8 hour work day)
Seamen Act (minimum wages)
Keating-Owen Act (child labor law)
Worker’s Compensation Laws
 Wilson: The MOST progressive president?
Review:
The Legacies of the Progressive Movement
 Signaled the emergence of “liberalism” and philosophy of reform politics.
 Expanded the role of the government in promoting the general welfare.
 Broke up monopolies that hurt the public and regulated those that were in
the public’s best interests. “Trust busting” restored competition.
 Established safety codes, sanitation codes, child labor laws, minimum wage
laws, worker’s compensation and insurance, working condition codes, etc.
 Restored democratic principles through various political reforms.
 Established precedent with regards to legislating morality within American
society and tried to find ways to distribute wealth more equitably.
 BUT, Progressivism ENDED by 1920…it & WW1 brought prosperity to US.
 The next 3 presidents (Harding, Coolidge and Hoover) will be conservative
Republicans who’ll restore “laissez faire” policies and return to isolationism.
 WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT PROGRESSIVISM?
 WHAT IS BAD ABOUT PROGRESSIVISM?