Progressivisim

Goals of Progressives

Promote social justice, economic equality, and environmental sustainability.

What triggers people’s motivation to make reforms?

Exposure to social injustices, muckraker journalism, public health crises, economic inequality, political corruption.

Upton Sinclair

Exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry in 'The Jungle', leading to the Meat Inspection Act.

Jacob Riis

Used photography in 'How the Other Half Lives' to expose poor living conditions, leading to housing reforms.

Lincoln Steffens

Wrote 'The Shame of the Cities', exposing political corruption in municipal governments.

Ida Tarbell

Wrote 'The History of the Standard Oil Company', exposing unfair business practices of Rockefeller.

Social Gospel Movement

Advocated for applying Christian ethics to social problems, promoting social justice and charity.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy

Led to stricter workplace safety laws, fire codes, and labor protections.

Purpose of sterilization

Eugenics programs aiming to prevent reproduction by those deemed 'unfit', targeting marginalized groups.

Alice Paul

Leader of the National Woman’s Party, fought for women’s suffrage and equal rights.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Leader of the NAWSA, promoted a state-by-state strategy for women's voting rights.

Booker T. Washington

Advocated for African American progress through vocational education rather than immediate civil rights.

W.E.B. DuBois

Co-founder of the NAACP, argued for immediate civil rights and higher education for African Americans.

NAACP

Fought for civil rights and against racial discrimination.

Urban League

Helped African Americans transition to urban life with job placement and housing assistance.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union

Advocated for Prohibition, women’s suffrage, and social reforms.

National Consumers League

Promoted workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe consumer products.

National Woman’s Party (NWP)

Fought for women's suffrage and the Equal Rights Amendment.

National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)

Focused on securing women’s voting rights through lobbying and state campaigns.

Teddy’s Square Deal: Trust-busting

Broke up monopolies and regulated big business.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Required accurate labeling and banned harmful substances in food.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

Mandated federal inspection of meat products.

Conservation efforts

Established national parks and forest reserves.

Regulation of railroads

Enforced fair rates through the Hepburn Act.

Roosevelt's 1912 presidential run

Dissatisfied with Taft’s conservative policies and believed Taft had abandoned progressive reforms.

Formation of Bull Moose Party

Created after failing to secure the Republican nomination, to continue advocating for progressive reforms.

Wilson's election of 1912

Won because Roosevelt and Taft split the Republican vote.

Pure Food & Drug Act

Regulated the food and drug industries to prevent mislabeling and unsafe ingredients.

Newlands Reclamation Act

Funded irrigation projects to develop land in the West.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Prevented monopolies and anti-competitive business practices.

Federal Reserve Bank

Created a central banking system to regulate the economy.

Federal Trade Commission

Established to prevent unfair business practices and protect consumers.

Reforms to City Governments

Introduction of city managers and commission systems to reduce political corruption.

Direct Primary

Allowed voters to choose candidates instead of political bosses.

Initiative

Citizens could propose laws directly.

Referendum

Allowed citizens to vote directly on laws.

Recall

Enabled voters to remove corrupt officials.

16th Amendment

Allowed Congress to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. Senators.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.