1890 - 1912 - Populism, Progressivism and Imperialism Flashcards
Two main reasons for emergence of the Populists
- Wanted Silver coinage
- Agricultural discontent
Populist party formed?
1892
Ratio of votes between Bryan and McKinley in the 1896 election.
Bryan 6500,000 : 7000,000 Mckinley
Brief era of Populism demonstrated…..
Increasing dissatisfaction with main political parties.
Increasing demand for more liberal politics.
How did Mark Hanna (a rich businessman) influence the 1896 election.
He spent $3 Million supporting the Republican party, and launched a smear campaign against Bryan.
Three progressive Presidents
- Theodore Roosevelt
- William Taft
- Woodrow Wilson
Why did progressive movement emerge?
- Economic problems, causing social problems.
- Need for political reform
- Need to regulate big business
- Influence of the media
Sherman Silver Purchase Act 1890
Government would buy 4,500,000 ounces of silver each month for use in coinage
President Cleveland repealed the Silver Purchase Act
1896
McKinley tariff - When and what?
1890 - Imposed tariffs of up to 50% on imports
Price of wheat fell from $1.60 a bushel in 1860, to …….?
60 cents a bushel in 1890
Between 1860 and 1890, Cotten fell from 30 cents a bushel to ……?
6 cents a bushel
Influence of the media on society
The press played a major role in exposing the evils of US society / politics
Social aims of the progressive movement
- Female vote
- Creation of a state welfare system
- Reforms to help AA’s
Political aims of the progressive movement
- Female vote
- Greater role for federal gov in regulation of big business
Economic aims of the progressive movement
- Wanted to regulate working hours, and make employers recognise trade unions
- Silver coinage
Theodore Roosevelt presidency dates
Sep 1901 - March 1909
How many anti-trust prosecutions did Roosevelt embark on?
44, in 1904
Department of Commerce and Labour act - When and what?
1903
Created a department of Commerce that was given the power to collect data from any interstate business
Hepburn act - When and what?
- 1906
- Federal gov could inspect the books of railroad companies and could set the maximum rates they could charge passengers.
(Was an attempt to protect the public from exploitation)
Anthracite Coal Strike
Example of Roosevelt intervening in labour dispute
- 1902
- Employers locked out miners who had gone on strike for better pay and 8 hour working day.
- Roosevelt summoned both sides to Washington and told them that if they didn’t agree to arbitration he would send troops to work the mines.
- Employers settled for a wage increase and 9 hour working day
- This was significant because for the first time a President hadn’t taken the side of the employer.
How many acres of forest did Roosevelt order be planted on federal reserves?
150 million acres
Pure Food and Drug act
Roosevelt passed in 1906.
Begun the process of ending food adulteration.
Roosevelt vs. Northern Securities Company - what happened?
- Roosevelt started proceedings against Northern Securities Company in 1902, (a holding company controlling several railroads).
- Took on powerful businessmen who appeared to be using the companies monopoly to create excess profit.
- In 1904 the Supreme court decided that the company was illegal.
Was Roosevelt a successful progressive president?
- He continued to take action against big business
- Seemed to show genuine care for the underdog
- Brought the presidential office into the arena of economic and social reform.