The Progressive Movement
Dec 27, 2015
Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century
• 1) Trusts– Namely Standard Oil, J.P Morgan and his
consolidated businesses, especially U.S. Steel in 1901
• 2) Reliance on big business/Corporations for consumer goods– Urban consumers were getting their food, relying
on “patent medicines”– All consumers are struggling with inflation -
blamed on the monopolies
Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century
• 3) Lost of faith in Government– Political machines running government, government
was being ran for profit instead of public interest
• 4) Farmers, Blacks, and Women– Farmers: credit was in short supply, amenities far
behind urban life– Blacks: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established
legal segregation as long as it was equal (supposely); lynched, discrimation all over America
– Women: more women going to college, but jobs and haven’t changed, and women can’t vote
Problems facing the U.S. at the turn of the Century
• 5) plight of workers, immigrants, and slum dwellers– Horrible living and working conditions
• 6) Environment– No regard for environment - just “exploit
the resources” attitude
Who were the Progressives?
• Typically, white, middle class professionals who wanted to solve America’s problems
Development of the Muckrakers
• People who exposed problems and corruption to Public eyes through expose journalism– Lincoln Steffens - The
Shame of the Cities (City gov.t)
– Ida Tarbell - History of the Standard Oil Company (Rockefeller’s Business practices)
– Upton Sinclair - The Jungle (Meat packing Industry)
RAP: The Jungle
• Select one topic from the below list, and draw a symbol to represent the topic, and then write a complete sentence explaining the symbol.– Meat packing/killing process– Plights of workers– Scandals/other industries and inventions– Sausage making
Dealing with Workers’ issues:
• Worst tragedy of the decade was the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire (1911)
• Labor Unions struggled until 1902 Coal Miners Strike; Pres. Teddy Roosevelt sided with the workers; First time gov.t helped labor unions!!
• Child Labor laws were first passed during Woodrow Wilson’s administartion
Dealing with Consumer Fraud:
• Department of Commerce and Labor (1903): goal was to keep businesses and industry open to public scrutiny
• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): barred use of harmful additives in foods and forbade misleading advertisement
Dealing with Business Practices
• T. Roosevelt known as “Trustbuster;” broke up those that abused power and acted irresponsibly
• Wilson - Federal Trade Commission (1914); prevented large companies from destroying small ones
• Clayton Antitrust Act: prohibited pricing policies and outlawed buying competitor’s stock
Dealing with Political Corruption
• Steps taken to control Political machines (network of men who influence gov.t through bribes and favors):– Primary elections (more chances for people to chose
candidates)– Intiatives and referendums– Ability to have recall elections– 1913 - Passage of the 17th Amendment: Direct election of
Senators– 1920 - Passage of 19th Amendment: women’s suffrage
Dealing with Wilderness Conservation
• T. Roosevelt set aside 5 areas as designated National Wilderness areas; eventually became the first national parks
Forgotten People
• W.E.B. DuBois led new organization called National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• 1914 - had national membership of 6,000 people and offices in 50 cities
WIO: Progressives
• Rank the 6 problems in order of importance (in your opinion). Then, using your #1 problem, evaluate how effective the progressives were at dealing with that problem. Explain in a paragraph.
“Meet the Press” Poster• 1) In your group, make sure you have your
biographical briefing information and a mask for your character
• 2) On the poster, include information in the following categories:– Background information (early life of person)– Actions taken and special causes as a Progressive– Lasting impact– Add a visual (besides the head)