Transforming to an Industrial Nation

During the 1800`s the US nearly fully expanded politically and geographically and would face turmoil during this time period due to the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Turn of the Century

• Time Period: 1800 to 1900As a nation we began to change from rural, agrarian to a more urban and industrial society.

Factors for the Transformation:• Large number of natural resources (iron, coal, rivers, lakes)• Increase in the number of workers (increase in immigration, growth of cities, people leaving the

country to move to the cities)• Increase in supply of capital($$$) and production (growth of big businesses, stable economic

system, capitalists like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie)• Increase in communication (age of newspapers and magazines)• Increase in innovations and inventions ( electricity, telegraph, telephone, elevators, subways,

escalators, trolleys, automobiles, skyscrapers)

The 1900`s was the right time for a housecleaning of the United StatesPolitical, social, economic changes were key to domestic and foreign issues of the early 1900`s.

1900-1920 The Progressive Movement

• The Progressive movement was a movement that was aimed at solving political, economic and social problems of the day.

Progressive PresidentsTheodore Roosevelt (1902-1908): A president marked by his energy and who believed taking action was necessary. “Walk softly and carry a big stick and you will go far.” He attacked progressive issues such as: Square Deal, Big Business, Transportation, natural resources, health issues.

Progressive Presidents

• William Howard Taft (1908-1912) He faced many difficulties as a President, he was not as charismatic as Teddy Roosevelt. He raised the tariff, limited conversation, supported unpopular officials.

Election of 1912Republican vs. Democrat vs. Bull Moose Party and New Freedom New NationalismWilliam Taft Woodrow Wilson Teddy Roosevelt

Progressive Presidents

• Woodrow Wilson (1912-1920)Positive actions include the passage of 4 amendments: 16th income tax, 17th direct election of senators, 18th Prohibition, 19th women vote.Wilson dealt with the Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission, Clayton Antitrust. None of the 3 amendments touched upon the Civil Rights question Jim Crow laws (segregation in the south) became a legal policy in

the U.S. government!!!!!

The IssuesProgressives wanted to see changes and improvements in society through laws and other federal actions!

Issues:• Government: for many years there had been corruption

at the local levels and unfair representation at the state and federal levels

• Conservation: rapid industrialization across the country demonstrated the potential to destroy the environment and beautiful landscapes, they needed to be saved

• Income Tax: this idea sought a fair way to provide money for the government to, in turn, put back into running the country

Big Businesses: there were virtually no laws restricting illegal business practices (monopolies, price gouging, etc.)Labor Rights: men, women, and children were abused as workers (long hours, low pay, hazardous conditions, etc.)Women`s Suffrage: after African Americans received the status of citizens and hence, the right to vote, with the 13th amendment, women sought to have the same “voice” in government. Suffrage=Vote

Temperance: were against alcohol, religious minded individuals were concerned that alcohol bred corruption and slovenliness, undermining the American focus of working hard to achieveBlack Rights: even through the 13th amendment had been established the citizenship of black Americans, equality and fair treatment was difficult to find in American society

African Americans during the Progressive Era

During the Progressive Era African Americans started moving toward the North to seek better jobs, less discrimination and poverty. Conditions

in the North were no better!!!

Emerging African American Leaders

Booker T. WashingtonHe believed that African Americans should

concentrate on learning a trade(job skills) first before working on social and political equality.

Emerging African American Leaders

W.E. B. DuboisHe believed that African Americans had to fight

for political rights (vote) first and then could work on social and economic equality.

Progressive groups and movements

• Niagara Movement (1905)- was a movement by a group who demanded equal opportunities for all African Americans

• NAACP (1909)- National Association for Advancement of Colored Peoples was a group formed in New York City that concentrated on using the law and legal method to achieve equal status

Progressive Presidents Reactions

• Teddy Roosevelt understood the problems of the African American people yet did not act in a way to try and improve it• William Taft and Woodrow Wilson

did nothing to help African Americans