An Overview

Progressive Movement

A. 1901-1917 (Roosevelt to WWI)

B. Began at state and local levels1. “Wisconsin Idea” ~ Bob LaFollette

C. Examples of state reforms1. state income tax2. direct primary

D. Philosophy1. pragmatism ~ “Trial and Error”

I. Middle Class Reform Movement

A. Restore control of government to the common man

B. Correct abuses caused by industry

C. Restore equality of economic opportunity

II. Three Aims of Progressives

A. Use the government to achieve social and economic goals

B. Unfortunately…1. urban (city) governments

often very corrupt2. state and federal government

often very pro-business

III. Liberal Movement

A. Muckrakers ~ writers who exposed the problems of society

1. Upton Sinclair ~ The Jungle

a. labor conditionsb. foul meat packing

IV. Influence of writers

B. Lincoln Steffens ~Shame of the Cities

1. local government

2. city conditions

C. Ida Tarbell ~ History of Standard Oil1. big business2. power and corruption

D. Jacob Riis ~ How the Other Half Lives

1. Slums of New York City

A. Susan B. Anthony ~ women’s suffrage

B. Jane Addams ~ settlement houses

C. Margaret Sanger ~ birth control advocate

D. Florence Kelley ~ anti-child labor

V. Women's Movement

VI. Progressive PresidentsA. Teddy Roosevelt (1901-1909)

1. consumer protection

2. “Square Deal”3. trustbuster4. conservation5. “Cowboy”6. Republican

B. William Taft1. Republican2. problems with conservation and tariffs3. least liberal of the three

C. Woodrow Wilson1. Democrat2. focus on banking and trade3. “New Freedom”

A. U.S. involvement in World War I

VII. End of Progressive Movement