Progressive Era Politics Ms. Jerome

Progressives in Politics

Rejected laissez-faire capitalism

Why did they reject laissez-faire?

Viewed government as a potentially positive force for change and reform—used to combat monopolies and corruption in government

Wanted to bring respectability back into politics

Progressive Era Presidents

State Reforms: Improving DemocracySecret Ballot Privacy at the ballot box ensures that citizens can cast votes without party bosses knowing how they voted.

Initiative Allows voters to petition state legislatures in order to consider a bill desired by citizens. Voters create (Prop 8)

Referendum Allows voters to decide if a bill or proposed amendment should be passed. Lawmakers create

Recall Allows voters to petition to have an elected representative removed from office. Mayor Walter Jones

Direct Primary Ensures that voters select candidates to run for office, rather than party bosses.

Initiative

Federal ReformsGovernment Intervention

I. Constitutional Amendments

II. Pendleton Act 1881/Civil Service Reform

III. Sherman Anti Trust Act 1890

IV. Interstate Commerce Act 1887

V. TEDDY ROOSEVELT:I. Elkins Act 1903

II. Hepburn Act 1906

III. Pure Food and Drug Act 1906

IV. Meat Inspection Act 1906

VI. Clayton Anti Trust Act 1914

I. Progressive Era Amendments

16th (1913) Granted Congress the power to tax income.

17th (1913) Provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators.

18th (1919) Prohibited making, selling, or transporting alcohol.

19th (1920) Provided women suffrage (voting).

II. Pendleton Act Background: Issue: Government Corruption

For over 80 years presidents and federal politicians had “rewarded” their supporters with government jobs.

Patronage or “Spoils System” *

This is what got Jim McGreevey into trouble

An end to political patronage

Date: 1881

Victim: President James Garfield

Villain: Charles Guiteau

Reason: Garfield refused to hire him for a government position

Aftermath: outcry to end *patronage

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Passed under President Chester Alan Arthur

Pendleton Act was a “federal civil service”

appointing government employees on the basis of competitive examinations, rather than by political patronage

What did it say? Federal workers would now be hired based on competitive exams rather than political influence.

Interstate Commerce Act

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPPING IN??? 1887

Particularly targeting railroad industry: Shipping rates had to be "reasonable and just"

Rates had to be published

Secret rebates were outlawed

Price discrimination against small markets was made illegal.

Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates.

Led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers

In addition, the ICC could view the railroads' financial records

Sherman Anti-Trust Act • The President's weapon vs business.

• The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed by Congress in 1890.

• This law declared illegal all combinations "in restraint of trade” (i.e. a monopoly)

• Did little initially

• United States courts routinely sided with business when any enforcement of the Act was attempted.

• Teddy Roosevelt would use it to break up TRUSTS

Robert LaFoletteWisconsin Senator

“Fighting Bob”

One of the most notable politicians of the Progressive movement

Advocated Women's suffrage.  

Father of the American Progressive Movement and he spoke passionately for the "common man."  

Man who knew no fear.

La Follette

Robert M. La Follette -- governor of Wisconsin in 1900.

Helped Wisconsin establish a railroad regulation commission to set fair freight rates.

Advocated graduated state income tax

A pure food law was voted in Wisconsin.

A direct primary system was enacted

Teddy Roosevelt:

Believed a president should take an active role as an arbiter between the demands of laborers and profit-driven businesses

Square Deal—Corporate Control, Conservation, Consumerism

Hepburn Act:1906 under TR

The Hepburn Act is a 1906 US FEDERAL LAW

Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates.

Led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers

In addition, the ICC could view the railroads' financial records

Good vs. Bad TrustsThis was the core of Theodore Roosevelt's leadership. He boiled everything down to a case of right versus wrong and good versus bad.

If a trust controlled an entire industry but provided good service at reasonable rates, it was a "good" trust to be left alone.

Only the "bad" trusts that jacked up rates and exploited consumers would come under attack.

Who would decide the difference between right and wrong?

Teddy himself

Notably –broke up Standard Oil

Roosevelt became known as a “trust

buster”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZP93XqyTw

Objective was to break up bad trusts

Environment and the Industrial RevolutionForests throughout the country were depleted; some estimates indicated that only about 20 percent of the original woodlands remained in 1900

Establishes the National Parks System to preserve the land for future generations

Roosevelt on Conservation

"We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune."  Theodore Roosevelt