history 9/5

Context: Transition from the women’s movement focusing on suffrage to wider political reforms under leaders like Teddy Roosevelt.

Major Developments:
- Rise of direct democracy.
- Expansion of federal government power.
Goals of Progressives: Make democracy more open and transparent.

Direct Primaries:
- Purpose: Allowed party members to vote for candidates instead of party leaders making secret selections.
- Historical Note: First state to adopt a primary was South Carolina in 1896. By 1920, nearly every state had a primary.
Initiative and Referendum:
- Definition: Procedures allowing voters to propose laws (initiative) and vote on proposed laws (referendum).
- Mechanism: Citizens gather signatures to place proposals on ballots.
- First State: South Dakota in 1898 adopted this system.
Recall:
- Definition: Process where the electorate can remove an elected official from office by gathering signatures for a vote.
- Example: California Governor Gavin Newsom faced a recall vote in 2021.
- Adoption: By 1920, 20 states had the initiative and referendum, and about a dozen had recall procedures.
Seventeenth Amendment (1913):
- Change: Established the direct election of U.S. Senators, moving away from state legislature selection.

Champion: Robert La Follette, Progressive Republican governor of Wisconsin.
Legislative Reference Bureau:
- Function: Provided non-partisan research and assistance in drafting legislation based on expert opinions.
- Wisconsin Reforms: Included direct primaries, stronger railroad regulation, and worker’s compensation programs.

Assumption of Presidency: Roosevelt became president after the assassination of William McKinley.
- Quote: "A great democracy has got to be progressive or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy."
Focus on Executive Power: Roosevelt believed Congress had become too dominant and corrupt.
- Policy Change: Shift towards stronger executive governance and regulation of big business.

Corporate Regulation: Acknowledgment of the issue posed by corporate monopolies.
- Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): Initially ineffective until utilized by Roosevelt.
- Record as Reformer: As governor of New York, he pushed for various reforms long before becoming president.
Square Deal:
- Principles: Aimed at providing fairness for all, with three main focuses:
- Control of corporations
- Consumer protection
- Conservation of natural resources
Major Actions:
- Northern Securities Company: First major antitrust lawsuit initiated by Roosevelt, resulting in Supreme Court action to dismantle the company (1904).
- Categorized as the first president to take significant action against monopolies.

1910 United Mine Workers Coal Strike:
- Context: 100,000 miners went on strike for better wages, conditions, and union recognition.
- Consequences: Price of coal soared, particularly threatening heating in winter.
- Roosevelt’s Intervention: Called both parties to negotiate; threatened nationalization of coal mines if owners refused.
- Outcome: Settlement led to concessions for miners (shorter workday, wage increase).
- Significance: First president to mediate between labor and management rather than siding with corporations.

1904 Reelection: Roosevelt won decisively against Alfred Parker, who lacked charisma.
Hepburn Act (1906): Granted the Interstate Commerce Commission authority to set maximum rates for railroads.
Health & Safety Regulations: After the publication of Upton Sinclair’s "The Jungle," Roosevelt urged Congress to pass:
- Meat Inspection Act (1906): Established federal inspection of meat products.
- Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Required labeling of food products and medicines.

Roosevelt’s Environmental Campaign: Significant focus on conservation and natural resource management.
- First national bird reservation established in 1903.
Legislative Actions:
- Newlands Reclamation Act (1902): Aimed at reclaiming arid land for farming.
- Creation of National Parks and Forests: Established multiple parks and protected lands, amounting to over 235 million acres set aside for future generations.

Racial Views: Roosevelt was criticized for his belief in white supremacy and failure to support racial justice.
- Brownsville Affair (1906): Response to racial violence led to the dishonorable discharge of an entire African American unit, reflecting discriminatory practices of his time.
Quote from Criticism: Senator Benjamin Tillman’s inflammatory comments exemplified the racist sentiments Roosevelt faced amidst his presidency.

Legacy Assessment: Roosevelt's deep impact on political reforms, his conflicted racial views, and his lasting contributions to conservation and labor relations remain significant in U.S. history.
Final Note: Emphasized the critical role of individuals like Roosevelt in shaping modern America’s approach to governance, labor rights, and environmental conservation.