Progressive Era Reforms and Key Legislation in U.S. History

Beliefs of Progressives

Wanted to fix problems from industrialization and urbanization. Believed government should be more active in solving social issues. Supported reforms to make government more honest and efficient.

Efficiency Progressives

Tried to make government and business more efficient. Used scientific management—breaking tasks into small parts and timing workers.

Northern Securities v. US (1904)

Roosevelt broke up a railroad monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Proved government could regulate big business.

Wisconsin / "Laboratory of Democracy"

Governor Robert La Follette reformed Wisconsin's government. Introduced direct primary, initiative, referendum, and recall. Became a model for other states.

Alice Paul & Suffrage

Leader of National Woman's Party. Used protests and hunger strikes to demand women's voting rights. Helped lead to the 19th Amendment (1920).

Socialists

Wanted government control of major industries. Believed capitalism created inequality and unfair wealth.

Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1920

Regulated railroads and later trucking. Power strengthened under Progressive presidents.

Teddy Roosevelt's Warning to Taft

Warned Taft not to go against Progressive reforms or side with conservatives.

TR vs. Taft in 1912

Roosevelt ran again (Progressive Party / Bull Moose) because Taft disappointed reformers. Split Republican votes → Woodrow Wilson won presidency.

Underwood Tariff (1913)

Lowered tariffs significantly. Introduced federal income tax (16th Amendment) to replace lost revenue.

Scientific Management / Efficiency

Idea by Frederick Taylor to make work faster and more organized. Progressives applied it to government efficiency.

Direct Primary

Allowed voters to choose candidates directly instead of political bosses.

TR & Coal Miners' Strike (1902)

Miners wanted better pay and hours. Roosevelt acted as a neutral mediator—first president to support labor fairly. Owners agreed to arbitration (a fair third-party decision).

Original Election of Senators

Before 1913, state legislatures chose senators. Changed by the 17th Amendment (direct election).

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)

146 women died in a factory fire due to locked exits. Led to new safety and building regulations.

U.S. Steel Deal

Roosevelt let U.S. Steel buy another company to stop a panic. Later, Taft sued them for monopoly—angered Roosevelt.

Laissez-Faire Argument & Land

Big businesses wanted no government interference in land use.

Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909)

Barely lowered tariffs; angered Progressives. Made Taft look weak on reform.

Roosevelt's Belief on Taft

Felt Taft betrayed Progressive ideals and sided with conservatives.

Wilson's Belief on Tariff

Believed high tariffs hurt consumers; pushed to lower them.

Muckrakers' Belief on Their Work

Exposed corruption and social problems to push for reform.

Ida Tarbell

Exposed Standard Oil.

Upton Sinclair

Wrote The Jungle about meatpacking.

Lincoln Steffens

Exposed city corruption.

Progressives

Middle-class reformers who wanted to fix social, economic, and political problems. Believed more government involvement could improve life.

Cure for Problems of Democracy

More democracy: direct election of senators, initiative, referendum, recall, and direct primary.

Reason Roosevelt Ran for President (1912)

Angry that Taft abandoned Progressive reforms. Wanted to continue his policies under 'New Nationalism.'

Commission Plan

City government run by experts, not politicians (used after hurricanes in Galveston, TX).

Referendum

Citizens can vote directly to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

Muckraker

Journalist who exposed corruption or unfair practices.

Workers' Compensation

Required employers to pay for injuries on the job.

Initiative

Citizens can propose new laws directly.

Temperance

Movement to ban alcohol; led to Prohibition (18th Amendment).

Richard A. Ballinger

Taft's Secretary of the Interior; sold federal land to businesses. Caused conflict with Gifford Pinchot and upset Progressives.

Children's Bureau

Created to protect child welfare and reduce child labor.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

Required federal inspection of meat; improved cleanliness and safety.

Sixteenth Amendment

Allowed Congress to collect income tax.

Wisconsin

First state to adopt many Progressive reforms; model for the nation.

Woodrow Wilson

Democrat, 28th president (1913-1921). Supported 'New Freedom' program to limit big business and government power. Created Federal Reserve System and Clayton Antitrust Act.

Seventeenth Amendment

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people (1913).

Prohibition

Ban on alcohol (18th Amendment, 1919). Goal was to reduce crime and family issues caused by drinking.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote (1920).