Progressivism and the Republican Roosevelt

These flashcards cover key concepts associated with the Progressive Era and the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on the social, political, and economic reforms that emerged during this time.

Progressivism

A national movement from 1901 to 1912 focused on reforming issues such as urban slums, women's suffrage, and big business regulations. It emphasized government intervention to address social inequalities and improve living conditions.

Muckrakers

Journalists who sought to expose social injustices and corruption in business during the Progressive Era.

TR’s Square Deal

Teddy Roosevelt's policy aimed at ensuring fairness for workers, consumers, and the environment, focusing on control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation.

Trusts

Huge corporations or groups of companies that work together to limit competition and control prices, often scrutinized by Progressive reformers.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft's foreign policy focusing on investing in foreign economies to promote U.S. interests and counteract European influence.

Goals of Progressive Era

Limit the power of big business, improve democracy for the people, and strengthen social justice. Roosevelt makes progressives to a national level.

Progressive Motivations

Rising power of big business, increasing gap between rich and poor, dominance of political machines in the cities, Jim Crow laws, and Women’s Suffrage.

3 Main Progressive Groups

Members of the press-Muckrakers

Religious groups-Women Christian Temperance Union, YMCA

Radical political groups-Socialists & Communists

Meat Inspection Act

A 1906 law that mandated federal inspection of meat products, driven largely by the exposure in Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle'. It aimed to ensure sanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry and prevent the sale of adulterated or misbranded meat.

Muller vs. Oregon

A landmark 1908 Supreme Court case that upheld the state of Oregon's right to limit women's working hours, recognizing the state's interest in protecting women's health and welfare. Brandeis Brief-Women deserved special protection in the workplace bc of their weaker bodies and they were expected to return home to complete their female duties.

Lochner v. New York

A 1905 Supreme Court case that overturned a state law establishing a 10-hour workday for bakers.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

A tragic 1911 industrial disaster where 146 garment workers died, leading to calls for labor reform.

Pure Food and Drug Act

A 1906 law that aimed to eliminate misleading labels and harmful substances in food and drugs. It mandated accurate labeling and established federal inspection of food products.

Progressive Reforms at State Level

Actions taken by state officials to regulate businesses, improve working conditions, and reduce corruption during the Progressive Era.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can result in the adoption of laws.

Aldrich-Vreeland Act

A 1908 law that allowed national banks to issue currency backed by collateral, leading to later banking reforms. This act was a precursor to the federal reserve system.

Federal Reserve Act

The 1913 legislation that created the Federal Reserve System to oversee and regulate the U.S. monetary policy.

3 C’s of Square Deal

-Control of Corporations (corporate regulations)

-Consumer Protection

-Conservation of natural resources

Regulation of Trusts

Governmental oversight aimed at controlling monopolies and ensuring fair competition in the marketplace.

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

Raised the tariff instead of lowering it (campaigned to lower the tariff)- one of Taft’s presidential mistakes/strikes. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff was a 1909 congressional act that raised tariffs on many goods, going against President Taft's campaign promise to lower them.

Ballinger-Pinchot

Pinchot publicly criticizes his boss (Ballinger). Pinchot was fired as chief of the U.S. Forest Service for insubordination, creating a rift between conservationists and the Taft administration.

What were the key characteristics and challenges of William Howard Taft’s presidency?

1. Economic and Foreign Policy

   • Dollar Diplomacy: Encouraging U.S. investment in Latin America and East Asia.

   • Trust-Busting: He was more aggressive than Roosevelt, initiating 9090 anti-trust suits.

2. Political Mistakes and Splits

   • Payne-Aldrich Tariff: Failed to fulfill campaign promises of lower tariffs, alienating progressives.

   • Ballinger-Pinchot Affair: A dispute over public lands that led to a public break with Teddy Roosevelt.

3. Outcome: These tensions led to the split of the Republican Party in the Election of 1912.

What was Theodore Roosevelt’s "Square Deal" and what were its three main pillars?

The Square Deal was Roosevelt's domestic program focused on fairness for all citizens. It consisted of the "Three Cs":

1. Control of Corporations: Regulating big business and breaking up harmful trusts to ensure fair competition.

2. Consumer Protection: Enacting laws like the Meat Inspection Act (1906) and the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) to safeguard public health.

Conservation: Protecting natural resources through the Newlands Reclamation Act (1902) to manage irrigation and water, and setting aside millions of acres for national forests and parks to ensure the sustainable use of the nation's timber and wildlife.

What were the nominees and the outcome of the Election of 1912?

1. Nominees:

• Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)

• Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive/Bull Moose)

• William Howard Taft (Republican)

• Eugene V. Debs (Socialist)

1. Result: Taft and Roosevelt split the Republican vote, leading to a victory for Woodrow Wilson.

2. Significance: This was a major victory for the Democratic.

Roosevelt’s New Nationalism rules

-Proposed direct election of senators

-Initiative, referendum, & recall in all states

-Women’s suffrage

-National workers compensation

-8 hour workday

-Minimum wage for women

-Federal law against child labor

-Federal trade commission to regulate business