Progressive Movement                 Reforms                                                                                  1900-1920  

House Cleaning reforms movements   1900’s Progressivism

Populist raised problems but their solutions were rejected. Progressivism carried the problems of the farmer, overworked factor labored, corrupt business and for politician to the public with the idea to change the existing system to one which would be better for all concerned.

            1900 economy strong all classes felt confident and more willing to compromise.

Progressive and Government

            A new age of large government and more larger companies.

                        2 broad changes of Government/workers

1.)    Government had to become more responsive to the voice of the people.

Reforms of Government activities

2.)    Government had to regulate business, improve public health and safety, and ensure that each American had the opportunity to prosper.

Muckrakers

  Journalists who exposed corruption in business and politics.

•     Upton Sinclair   “The Jungle” Unhealthy meat packing plant  

•     Jacob Riis  (P. 357) Slums 

•     Marie and Beasie Van Vorst Working conditions for women                                                                Exposé were published in magazines McClure's and Cosmopolitan.                                                                   

•     Lincoln Steffens mismanagement of City Government  

•     Ira Tarbell 6yr study of Study of Standard Oil revealed treatment of Competitions, government and public.  

Troutman's home   expectations   world history   American history  top of page

Progressives:  

Samuel Jones   Samuel “Golden Rule” Jones. Elected mayor of Toledo, Ohio. Government funds to build play ground, golf course, free kindergarten, adult night school, homeless shelter, open air church and double the pay of city workers.  

Seth Low      Improved school system of Brooklyn. Increased jobs with the city on the basis of merit. Columbia University set up adult education programs. Elected Mayor of NYC. Improved P.D. civil service system began planning of 1^st Subway Brooklyn

Frances Perkins     Witnessed fire, 146 died. Improved safety regulations for women reduced workweek 54hrs to 48, held Secretary of Labor under FDR.              

Hiram W. Johnson      Government of California:  Three reforms   

1.  8hr day for women

2.  limits on child labor

3. Workmen’s Compensation (State insurance system supported workers injured on the job. 

  Robert M. “Fighting Bob” La Follete            Wisconsin Idea 1^st state income tax, corporate tax, set up Railroad commission conservation and water power act, regulated state banks, limited lobbying efforts          

Reforms City/States                        

Progressives changed forms of city Governments

            2 new forms.

1.      City Commission

Board of 5 citizen elected by voters to run city. Not professional politicians (doctors, lawyers, business leaders, and others would meet a few evenings a month)

2.      City Manager

Engineers hired by city council/commission to run city. No political ties high salary insulated from bribes/corruption

Galveston, Texas picked a city Commission to rebuild after a hurricane.

Dayton, Ohio hired a city manager to rebuild after a terrible flood

State Governments            

Bills/Laws

            Initiative: Propose a bill and present it to the legislature for vote.

            Referendum: Public vote on laws passed by the legislature

Personal Voice

            Recall: Allowed voters to remove a public office before the next scheduled election.

            Primary Systems: Party members could elect candidates in the pas party leaders selected candidates.