Transcript Progressives and Reform

Progressives and Reform
1901-1918
Pgs. 288-293
President Roosevelt
President Taft
President Wilson
President Roosevelt
• President Roosevelt used the authority of
his office in many ways.
• He worked to establish America has a
world power.
• He worked to improve life for Americans in
the United States.
• Roosevelt became know as a
“progressive” President.
The Square Deal
• Roosevelt believed it was the job of the
government to help citizens as much as
possible.
• His program was called the Square Deal.
The goal of this program was to provide
equal opportunities and fair treatment for
all Americans.
Commissions
• He set up committees, or special
commissions, to investigate problems.
– Railroad fares
– Monopolies (Rockefeller)
– Pure Food and Drug Act
– Meat Inspection Act
– Conservation (National Parks – p. 289)
President Taft
• Roosevelt decided not to
seek reelection in 1908.
• William Howard Taft was
elected. He was also a
progressive reformer.
• Taft pushed to have the
16th Amendment ratified
which allowed the federal
government to tax
income.
• It was ratified in 1913.
1912 Election
• Roosevelt decided to run for President against
President Taft and Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
• Wilson was elected President. He also claimed
to be a reformer.
• He supported the passage of the 17th
Amendment which allowed the election of U.S.
Senators by the people rather than being
chosen by state legislators.
• It was ratified in 1913.
Civil Rights
• Many felt that progressive reforms did little to
address prejudice. In 1909 W.E.B. Du Bois,
an African American leader, formed the
National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People. (NAACP)
• This group worked to change laws that did not
give full civil rights to African Americans and
worked to end racial violence.
Civil Rights
• In the later years of his
life, Du Bois believed that
prejudice in the United
States would never be
broken down.
• He decided to leave the
U.S. in 1961 and spent
the rest of his life in the
West African county of
Ghana.
Improving Society
• 1914 – Laws were passed in almost every
state making it illegal to hire children.
• 1919 – The 18th Amendment made the
production, sale, and transportation of
alcoholic beverages illegal in the United
States.
Prohibition Amendment
• The Prohibition
Amendment was a
failure. Gangsters
found ways to sell
alcohol.
• The 18th Amendment
was repealed in 1931
by the 21st
Amendment.
Carry Nation