Progressives And Imperialism 1890-1912 Flashcards
How was silver a reason for populist movement emergence ?
-silver production has grown rapidly in the USA after the discovery of silver in Nevada
-Dime,mentalist felt that silver should be used in production of coinage as well as gold, in 1890, the Sherman silver act forced the government to purchase 4,500,000 of silver each month at market price
-However in 1896 Grover Cleveland attempted to solve economic problems caused by depression, selling government securities for gold
How was agriculture discontent a reason for the populist movement emergence ?
-Prices for producers were falling terribly
-high tariffs on foreign manufactured goods meant foreigners would not buy American agriculture produce
-shortages of credits and interest rates were high in agriculture regions
Who did the democrats choose as their candidate in the 1896 election?
William Jennings Byron
Why did the populists support the democrats for the 1896 election rather than their own candidates?
-one of the democrats aims for the election was anti-gold/ Dimementalist which was one of the populist policies
- they had 2 choices: either side with the democrats so one of their policies would be put in place or not support them so majority votes would go to republicans
Who won the 1896 election ?
Republicans William McKinley
Who was economic problems a reason for progressive party emergence ?
-recession struck in 1893 leading to high unemployment in industries and cities
-Businesses cut wages to sustain profits which led to fall in living standards
-many banks collapsed
How was the need for big businessmen regulation a reason for progressive movement emergence ?
-large trusts became so powerful that government couldn’t control them
-increasing hostility towards Rockefeller and Morgan and Carnage seemed to put their own profits before the interest of masses
What were the progressives political aims ?
-change constitution allowing women to vote
-federal government to intervene and regulate big business
-more open democratic system for electing public officials
What were the progressives economic aims ?
-employers recognising trade unions, regulated hours and provided compensation to workers
-change currency, introducing silver
What were the social aims of progressive movement ?
-female emancipation
-state welfare benefit
-abolition of alcohol
-Reforms to help African Americans
What was the Sherman anti-trust act?
-1890, set up by President Theodore Roosevelt.
-Roosevelt instructed his attorney General G Knox to start proceedings against northern securities, involved taking down powerful business
- Roosevelt took down 40 big business
What was the department of commerce and labour act?
-1903, created a new department of commerce with cabinet secretary, it was given the power to collect data from any business dealt in interstate commerce which would be vital fixing. Roosevelt played an important role in getting it passed by congress
What was the Hepburn act?
-1906, gave federal government commission the power to inspect books of railroad companies and to lay down the maximum rates they could charge, so they could try to protect the public from exploitation
What were Roosevelt’s labour relations for progressive measures ?
-Roosevelt was prepared to intervene disputes such as coal strikes, Roosevelt summoned both sides to Washington and told employers that unless they agreed to arbitration he would send troops to work in the mines forcing the employers to settle on increasing wages and having 9 hour working days
What were Roosevelt’s conservations for progressive movement ?
-argued that Roosevelt was the 1st president to realise that natural recourses were not infinite. He organised 150 million acres of forest to be placed on federal reserves and strictly enforced laws concerning grazing, mining and lumbering
-in 1908 Roosevelt called the national conservation conference which led to many states creating commissions to look after the environment
