Transcript Reform Movements

Reform Movements
The Populists and the
Progressives
Problems facing America
In the Early 1900’s
Economic growth due to industrialization led to a
growing middle class.
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However, this growth led to a widening gap between
the rich and the poor
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Poor working conditions got worse for most factory
workers
Living standards were at their lowest, especially in urban
areas.
Factories were unsanitary and dangerous.
Politics of this era were also very corrupt.
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Many government jobs were being given to friends of
politicians only (called patronage), and not based on
merit.
The Populist Movement
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What type of American
supported the Populist
Party?
– Poor farmers that were
being beaten out by large,
commercial farms.
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How did they plan to
expand the money supply in
America? How would this
work?
– Free Silver: plan that
called for the United States
to base the currency both
on silver and gold,
therefore expanding our
currency and providing
more money to the people.
Any problems with this?
Populism (continued)
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What plan, allowing farmers
to borrow money from the
government, was part of
the Populist Platform? How
would this benefit farmers?
– The government would
allow farmers to store
there crops as collateral,
then borrow money from
the government. The
crops could be held there
until the price went up.
The Populist Movement
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Other aspects of the Populist Platform:
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Abolition of National Banks
Direct election of United States Senators
Government ownership of railroads, telephones and
telegraphs.
Graduated Income Tax
Inflation of the Currency
Why were the Populists anti-Semitic?
– Looked at the Jews as being in control of the major
financial institutions of the U.S. They felt that power was
being abused in order to keep the Jews rich and the
farmers poor.
The Progressives
As the Populist Movement fell in
popularity more and more due to its
limited appeal and prejudice tendencies,
the Progressive Movement arose.
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This group consisted mostly middle class,
native born, college educated Americans
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Most gained their knowledge of poor working/living
conditions through political discussions in college.
Different Progressive
Groups
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Many organizations form during this time
period in order to promote reform for their
cause.
– Identify each group and discuss their goals:
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Muckrakers
The Settlement House Movement
Women’s Trade Union League
National American Woman Suffrage Association
National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People
Women’s Christian Temperance Movement
Progressive Groups
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Muckrakers
– Group of college educated writers that
desired to expose America’s problems to
the masses in hope that attention would
bring action.
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Examples: Jacob Riis exposes city life, Ida
Tarbell, the problems of the Standard Oil
Trust, Lincoln Steffens, urban political
corruption.
Progressive Groups
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Settlement House Movement
– Argued against Social Darwinism
– It was not genetics, but the environment that
did not allow people to be successful.
– It was the job of the middle class to aid
immigrants in becoming familiar with the
language and customs of America
– Many prominent 20th Century women got their
start with the Settlement House Movement, like
Eleanor Roosevelt
Women’s Trade Union
League
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Sought out equal work opportunity for
women in the United States
Attempted to get women in the
workplace organized for strikes, etc.
National American Woman
Suffrage Association
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A growing movement in the early 1900’s,
women’s suffrage was finally gaining ground
on its opponents thanks to the increased
ability to organize.
– Groups like the WTLU and Settlement House
Movement got women experience in this style of
political sophistication.
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Thanks to this organization and their efforts,
the 19th Amendment was passed in all 50
states in 1920.
NAACP
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Founded largely due to the work of W.E.B.
Du Bois, the NAACP was not a radical or
even egalitarian group
– Instead, they sought to gain opportunities and
advancement for the most intelligent and
talented African Americans.
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By training its elite, the NAACP felt it would
then have a group capable of leading a fight
for black rights.
Women’s Christian
Temperance Union
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The temperance movement dates back to just prior
to the Civil War.
– Having largely evangelical tones, these reformers felt that
American society was becoming immoral and corrupt.
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Published books on the “evils of alcohol” and the
connection between drunkenness and domestic
violence.
Joined by the Anti-Saloon League, the WCTU
pushed for prohibition.
– With the 18th Amendment, the selling of alcohol became
illegal in the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt and
the Progressives
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Chapter 22
– Describe the process in which Theodore Roosevelt became
President.
– Identify each of the following:
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Bureau of Corporations
Northern Securities Company
J.P. Morgan
Trustbusting
Alton B. Parker
Hepburn Act
Pure Food and Drug Act
Meat Inspection Act
Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle