Progressivism in the Roosevelt - Taft Era 1901-1912 Flashcards
Earlier Reforms Prior to 1901
Populists 1890’s
United farmers and laborers in an effort to help benefit the lesser of society, two large groups of the American population that weren’t benefitting as much during the gilded age
Earlier Reforms Prior to 1901
Social Gospel
Taking lessons of Christianity and applying it to Urban issues of the day. Salvation army and YMCA’s
Earlier Reforms Prior to 1901
1890’s writers
Henry Lloyd “wealth against commonwealth” 1890
Jacob Riss “How the other Half Lives” 1890
Earlier Reforms Prior to 1901
Purpose
Era of reform where they sought to address the problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration
Earlier Reforms Prior to 1901
Middle class and Blue bloods
Displaced by the industrialists, loosing their status, and dropping the rich down a notch. Middle class is afraid of class warfare, wanting to lessen the anger of the poor
Journalists/Muchrakers
Bringing up the ugliness of society. Felt the government should take care of these issues for them
Journalists/Muchrakers
Notables- Lincoln Steffens 1902
Corruption of City Politics, Shame of the Cities
Journalists/Muchrakers
Notables- Ida Tarbell
Dad was put out by Rockefeller. “History of Standard Oil 1904, writes about the horros of guys like rockefeller
Journalists/Muchrakers
Notables- David Phillips
“The Treason of the Senate” 1906
Various problems with senator corruption
Journalists/Muchrakers
Notables- Ray Stannard Baker
“Following the COlor line “1908. Highliting segregation formed from Jim crow laws
Journalists/Muchrakers
Notables- Ida B Wells Barnett
“SOuthern Horros: Lynch Law in all its phases” 1892. Lynching in the south, mobs of men killing African American men and not given a fair trial.
Journalists/Muchrakers
Purpose
Create public outcry. They don’t offer a plan of their own. Hoped more involvement of the middle class in the government. Encourages people to get more involved.
Political goals under TR
Direct Primary, Secret Ballot, Direct election of senators
Helps remove corruption and tainting of votes. Direct primary means you get to cote on who specifically gets to run for higher office. Secret ballots keep political machines from hurting those voting the way they want them too. Direct election of senators stops them from getting nominated by state legislatures incase they are corrupt. The people vote instead.
Political goals under TR
Initiatives
Initiatives come from the people, getting votes and signatures for a bill they want passed. Cuts out the politicians entirely and gives the people a voice. Keeps the corruption out of it.
Political goals under TR
Referendum
Idea or issue written by legislature that is then given to the people as a referendum on the ballot so they can vote for it
Political goals under TR
Recall
This is how they get rid of state officials if they’re not doing their jobs well. Gives the people a second vote.