The Progressive EraFixing the Problems

of the

Gilded Age

As you know from your readings, working for the

Captains of Industry, or Robber

Barons, was not much fun. Unsafe

working conditions, low wages and long hours caused many to fight for better

lives.

Even children!

Who is being forced to walk the blank? What does he represent? Who is forcing him?

Many decided that the political parties were worthless during this time, because they

would only help the large companies. Many joined the

Socialists Party headed by Eugene Debs.

Socialists wanted the government to run

major businesses and redistribute income so no one would be poor.

Many workers joined unions like The Knights of Labor or the

American Federation of Labor. These unions would go to the company owners and make

demands. If demands were not met, workers who belonged to the union would go on strike causing a work stoppage. The government would

send in troops to force strikers back to work or protect their replacements

(scabs). Many strikes, like the Haymarket, Homestead and Pullman

strikes, ended in bloodshed and death.

What happened to union membership after the strikes? Why?

A progressive was anyone who worked to improve the economic, social or political problems which plagued the country at the turn of

the 19th century. Theodore Roosevelt called many progressives

muckrakers, because they were always trying to rake up the muck. Many began to speak out against the

treatment of the less fortunate (which was about 70% of the population). The muckrakers used the power of the pen (newspapers and novels) to push their cause.

Susan B. Anthony

• was one of the earliest advocates for women’s suffrage. Women were not allowed to vote until the passage of the nineteenth amendment.

Ida Tarbell

• She wrote books about Standard Oil, showing everyone how The large companies controlled the policies mandated by the government.

Jane Addams

• She was horrified by the conditions in the ghettos and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor. She set up houses for the new immigrants (Hull Houses)

Florence Kelly

• Worked to improve child safety in factories

Frank Norris

• His book, The Octopus, showed how the railroads also controlled Washington’s policies as well as how poorly their workers were treated.

Upton Sinclair

• Probably the most famous muckraker, his book, The Jungle, described the horrors of working in a meat packing company.

Muckrakers didn’t just focus on social issues, they also focused on political issues.

They were tired of the

political machines

which ran their city and the

machine bosses like “Boss”

Tweed.

Accomplishments of the Progressive Era!A. Social: More and better

schooling Improved city services

(health clinics, tenement improvements, improved sanitation . . .)

The 18th amendment ended the sale and distribution of alcohol in the United States

Women gain the right to vote with 19th amendment

B. Industry

• The Clayton Antitrust Act did two things:It ended price fixingUnions were no longer held accountable

to the Sherman Antitrust Act. Workers could strike!

• Factories were open to inspection to ensure safe working environments.

• Child labor in factories began to be phased out• Maximum work hours began to be set

Other Accomplishments• C. Government

changes16th Amendment: fed.

Income tax. Now poor would pay less tax and the rich more.

17th Amendment: Senators are directly elected.

In the states citizens are given a greater voice with the creation of the direct primary, recall, referendum and initiatives. The power of the political machine began to fade.

• D. Health and environmentThe Pure Food and Drug Act

became law shortly after The Jungle was released. The government would inspect food processing plants.

National Parks were established to ensure that land was protected for generations to come.

Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (TR): the first progressive President.

Progressive Presidents

TR’s progressive accomplishments• Square Deal: made companies agree to arbitrate

(make a legal agreement) with the unions. Companies could no longer ignore workers’ demands.

• Passed the Food & Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

• Trustbuster: TR was known as the trustbuster because by 1909 he had gone after over 40 trust breaking up monopolies like Standard Oil and American Tobacco

• He established the first national parks.

William Howard Taft

Taft was picked by TR to succeed him. TR wanted a person who would continue his progressive legacy. Taft worked very hard to break up other monopolies (telephone) and improve child safety, but scandal had hurt his reputation. TR decided to form a new party, the Progressive Party (the Bull Moose Party). In the end, Woodrow Wilson, a democrat won the election of 1912.

Woodrow WilsonWilson was also a progressive. His New Freedom policy advocated. Unlike TR and Taft, Wilson believed that government should regulate business in order to protect workers as well as the economy. Wilson established Federal Trade Commission, he strengthened antitrust laws, lowered tariffs and created the federal reserve. Banks could now borrow money from the government, cutting down on bank failures.