Progressive Reform Era (1890-1920)
-Temperance Movement-18th Amendment
Ban of production, selling, and transportation of alcohol in 1919, widely supported by women. Carrie Nation took up a hatchet and destroyed bars (thought God told her to do it).
-Muckrakers-Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens
Upton Sinclair- journalist who wrote the book The Jungle that talked about the disgusting things in meat processing plants.
Ida Tarbell- helped bring down the Rockefeller monopoly by writing books talking about Rockefeller's dark side.
Lincoln Steffens- Shame of the Cities, told of corruption in city governments. Exposed many governmental corruptions (Tweed) and helped bring about change.
-Laws making the workplace better, safer, etc
Sherman Anti-trust Act, minimal wage laws, child labor laws, workmen's confiscation
-Direct Election of US Senators-17th Amendment
The people elected the Senators instead of government, no more white, rich males always in office.
-Women's Suffrage Movement-19th amendment
Women didn't like it how black men could vote while they couldn't. Didn't have luck with U.S. government, so they went from state to state. Elisabeth and Susan B. Anthony were main woman activists. 1919 congress passed the 19th amendment after the women presented the rough draft.
-Teddy Roosevelt's Background
Born in rich family, small and weak, dad inspired him to excel in academics (Harvard) and athletics (boxing). Went to Africa to hunt, then took many positions, including police, Military, and president. First president to win Nobel Peace Prize (ended war between Russia and Japan). Teddy bear named after him after it was found that, while hunting, Roosevelt refused to shot a tied up baby bear.
-Teddy Roosevelt's Domestic Presidential Accomplishments/Issues:
1. Square deal
It's about conservation and control over corporations (break up monopolies and attack the rich).
2. Breaking up strikes
He liked peaceful strikes, made arbitrators to be a neutral party to hear out each side and judge fairly. Roosevelt supported labor unions. Cold strike in 1902
3. Breaking up trusts-trust-buster
Teddy was the 'trust-buster' by attacking Rockefeller and other monopolies. Enforced Sherman Anti-trust Act. Good Trusts vs. Bad Trusts.
4. Regulating railroads-Elkins Act, Hepburn Act
Elkins Act- abolished rebates (refunds for big businesses from railroads). Roosevelt supported the Act greatly.
5. Pure Food and Drug Act
6. Meat Inspection Act
Meat Packing Plants were disgusting and was made publicly aware by the book 'The Jungle'. Roosevelt read the book and took actions in making the Plants better.
7. Conservation-Transfer Act, Antiquities Act
Transfer Act-first forestry law; made to preserve the forests
Antiquities Act-preservation of natural land (devils tower); private land owned by government
8. Newlands Reclamation Act
1902, Act that helped to irrigate western America; funded by government
9. Gentleman's Agreement
Treaty between Japan and U.S. to keep Japanese immigrants out.
10. Federal Employers Liability Act
It you were hurt on job, you get paid for it (workmen's confiscation).
11. Policy toward African-Americans
Roosevelt did little to help at first, then he focused more on their rights.
-William Howard Taft's Background
Born to wealthy family, 21st president after Roosevelt. He wasn't very good at leadership, wasn't very well liked by people. Appointed Supreme Court head Justice after presidency.
-William Howard Taft's Domestic Presidential Accomplishments/Issues:
1. Payne-Aldrich Tariff
tariff-taxes on imported goods, made to reduce the purchase of imported goods
Taft promised lower tariffs, but it didn't work too well
2. Ballinger/Pinchot Land Dispute
Taft fired Ballinger from the head of agriculture and signed off private lands to rich organizations, upsetting republicans and Roosevelt.
3. Breaking up trusts
Taft had more trust-busting cases than Roosevelt, but he wasn't always successful. Taft broke up good and bad trusts alike. Standard Oil broke up in 1911 because of Taft.
4. Income Tax-16th Amendment
Congress can collect set taxes on incomes (graduated income tax); made to pay for railroads and other government utilities.
5. Policy towards African-Americans
There was much segregation (black buses, white buses). Jim Crow Laws helped keep the two separate.
-1912 Presidential Election
1. Democratic candidate and platform
Woodrow Wilson, break up monopolies, reduced tariffs, direct election of senators, Philippians independence, women's vote, single-term presidency
2. Republican candidate and platform
Howard Taft, keep breaking up trust, better postal service (not a very interesting platform)
3. Progressive(Bull Moose) Party and platform
Teddy Roosevelt, called for people to vote, minimum wages for women, breaking up trusts, 10-hr work days
4. Socialist candidate and platform
Wanted tax-reform, direct election of president, women's sufferage
5. Results and why Wilson won
Republicans had more popular votes, but they were split (Taft and Roosevelt) unlike the democrats, who voted solely for Wilson.
-Woodrow Wilson's Background
Born in Virginia, was first named Thomas Wilson. Very strict household, made him quite smart. Was a Lawyer, doctor, and teacher. Wanted neutrality from WWI and suffered from stroke (wife ran white house for him) while presidency.
-Woodrow Wilson's Domestic Presidential Accomplishments/Issues:
1. Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Break up monopolies, gave labor unions the right to exist, allowed strikes, boycotts, picketing etc to become legal
2. Federal Trade Commission Act/Commission
Created 1914 to break up trusts, organization that carried out Clayton Anti-trust Act. Still around today
3. Federal Farm Loan Act
Payed for farms and farming products to help struggling farmers
4. Underwood Tariff
lowered tariffs from 40 to 20%, supported by Oscar Underwood. First reduction of tariffs in a long time
5. Federal Reserve Act
Set up banking systems, backing up systems; 12 main banks owned by large companies. "Bankers Bank"- banks would borrow money from the federal banks if they were low. Could issue new paper money if it was an emergency. Controls interest rates.
6. Keating–Owen Act
Keating Act- First child labor law, banned the selling of products made by people under 16 years old, eventually ruled unconstitutional.
7. Adamson Act
Passed in 1916 to prevent strikes, made to help railroad workers (8 hr work days, overtime/double-time).
8. US Neutrality in WWI
1914, U.S. declared neutrality (could trade with both sides). British seized U.S. ships while Germans sunk ships, making us favor the British side. Wilson won reelection on the bases of neutrality, one month later we declared war.
9. Policy towards African-Americans
Turned a blind-eye towards them. Brought segregation to D.C.
Comments