Progressivism Essays - Theodore Roosevelt, , Term Papers

Progressivism Movements I. The Origins of Progressivism A. A Spirit of Reform in the late 1800's 1. Henry George believed that poverty could be eliminated by using land productively by everyone. Also taxing the nonproductive more than the productive. 2. Edward Bellamy believed that the government should create a trust to take care of the needs of the people rather than profit. 3. Many groups wanted change for the majority of people such as the socialist, the union members and members of municipal or city government levels. 4. Municipal reforms in the late 1800's and early 1900's that gave cities limited self-rule rather than state rule are known as Home Rule. B. Progressivism Takes Hold 1. Progressivism aspects of reform from many programs and other movements. 2. Because they were afraid of losing their high standard of living, progressives' were afraid of revolution. 3. Progressives believed that the government should play a bigger role in regulating transportation and utilities. 4. Develop better social welfare programs. 5. The suffrage movement became a big issue among women. 6. Child labor laws as well as many other things were brought about by government regulations. C. Progressive Methods 1. Journalist also helped create support by alerting the public to wrong doing or muckrakers. 2. Investigating the issue then publicizing the results putting pressure on legislators to take action is known as Systematic manner. D. Florence Kelley 1. Kelley was recommended for investigating the labor conditions around Chicago. 2. Kelley earned a law degree so that she could prosecute violators of child labor laws as well as regulations in sweatshops. 3. Kelley believed in municipal reforms after a political favor placed another inspector in her place. 4. 1899 National Consumers League was organized (NCL) II. Progressivism: Its Legislative Impacts A. Urban Reform 1. Reform began mostly at the city level 2. Some machine politicians worked with reformers to improve voter registration, city services, established health programs and enforced tenant codes. 3. By 1915 two out of three cities owned utilities. 4. Welfare services were put into effect. 5. Hazen Pingree put in parks, baths, and put into effect a work-relief program. B. Reforms at the State Level 1. Progressive governors also got involved with the movement. 2. LaFollette brought about a direct primary in which voters elect nominees for upcoming elections. 3. Employers and employees negotiating differences as well as workers accident insurance became major reforms in the work place. 4. The Supreme Court said that it was illegal to set maximum hours for workers because it violated the individuals right to make a contract with the employer - 1905 Lochner vs. New York. 5. The Supreme Court upheld a decision that limited women's work hours to 10 hours per day - 1905 Muller vs. Oregon. 6. The National Child Labor Committee convinced about 30 states to abolish Child Labor by 1907 . 7. In 1912 minimum wage for women and children was put into effect in Massachusetts. 8. Women were replaced with men because they would work longer for less wages 9. Women's push for voting rights was stifled by the belief that females are physically weaker. D. Reforms at the Federal Level 1. The United Mine Workers called a strike lasting until Teddy Roosevelt insisted that both sides submit to arbitration - May, 1902. 2. A process in which an impartial third party decides on a legally binding solution is known as arbitration. 3. Teddy Roosevelt threatened to use the army to take over the mines if the owners didn't accept the agreement. 4. "Square Deal" reduced miner's hours from 10 to 9 and gave the miners a 10% raise while not officially recognizing the minor's union. 5. The Hepburn Act authorized the IEC to limit rates if the shippers complained them unfair - 1906. 6. The Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act required accurate labeling of ingredients, strict sanitary conditions, and a rating system for meats - 1906. 7. Holding companies are corporations that hold the stocks and bonds of numerous companies thus achieving a monopoly. 8. John Muir and John Wesley Powell urged congress, in 1872, to establish Yellow Stone as the United States first national park. 9. Yosemite in California became a national park in 1890. 10. A National Reclamation Act (1902) aimed at planning and developing irrigation projects aroused controversy between city residents and farmers over use or water. 11. 1912 the United States government set up a Children's Bureau within the Department of Labor. 12. Women's Bureau was also established in 1920. 13. Mary Anderson and Julia