| Progressive Reform and Progressive Presidents (1887-1913) |
|
Sections:- The Bull Moose Party
- Socialism
- Tariffs
- Trade Regulation
- Trust Busting
- Coal Strike 1902
- Conservation
- Muckrakers
- Theodore Roosevelt
- William Howard Taft
- Woodrow Wilson
- Election of 1912
|
| Historical Context
In the election of 1912, former president Theodore Roosevelt split the Republican Party when he lost the nomination to William Howard Taft. In response to the claim that Roosevelt was no longer fit for the office, he responded that he was "fit as a bull moose;" it was from this comment that the Progressive Party received its nickname. The Progressives substantially overshadowed the Republicans in the election, but never again regained the amount of support garnered in the 1912 election, primarily due to adjustments on behalf of both of the mainstream parties.
Attached Documents
An excerpt from George Payne's speech establishing the party, provides the ideology for the party as well as justification for pulling away from the Republicans.
Questions to Consider
1. Though third parties in the American system seldom last long or produce winning candidates, what functions do they fulfill?
2. According to Payne, what prompted Roosevelt to split from the Republican party? How did people feel about the chasm within the party?
3. What do you think the respective political allegiances of the people who made the illustrations below were? Discuss the intended message and the symbolic facets of each. |
| | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| The Progressive movement was not the only reform movement in play at the turn of the century; the Socialists were also growing in prominence. Often at odds with Progressives, the Socialists followed a different ideology, ranging from radicalism to social democracy. Eugene V. Debs was the most prominent Socialist of his time; he was promoted as the Socialist candidate for the presidency 5 times.
An excerpt from Debs' “An Outlook for Socialism in the United States” expresses his views on reform, explaining that the Progressive movement has been absorbed into the Democratic Party's agenda and that it is no longer the place for men who truly want change in their country.
Questions to Consider:
1. How does Socialism differ from Progressivism? What are the fundamental differences in the political ideologies?
2. How does Debs appeal to the average American of the early 20th century? Who is he trying to reach? |
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Tariffs were one of the most salient and contentious issues in Progressive era politics; they were the largest source of income for the United States government through the end of World War I. For this reason, the rate of tariffs varied dramatically over the turn of the century and throughout the course of Progressive presidencies, each man tailoring the tariff rates to his specific ideology.
This chart shows the fluctuation of tariff rates as a result of legislation.
Questions to consider:
1. What is the definition of "tariff"? Who do you think favored tariffs? Who was hurt by them?
2. How much control does the President have over the tariff rate? Congress? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| The first time government regulated business was in 1887 when the Interstate Commerce Act was passed. Many farmers in the Western half of the country resented the control that the railroads exerted over them, they set the prices for shipping at will and often much higher than market value. Regulation was first attempted at the state level, but the laws were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The Interstate Commerce Act effectively created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the first federal regulatory commission. Designed to keep the railroads from forming monopolies and employing unfair business practices, the Act mandated reasonable, published shipping rates and outlawed price discrimination and secret rebates to preferred customers. The responsibilities of the ICC expanded to include worker safety and anti discrimination through two subsequent acts, Elkins Act of 1903 and the Mann-Elkins Act of 1920.
An edited version of the text follows below, outlining the major goals of the Interstate Commerce Act.
Two excerpts from the United States Constitution that pertain the Interstate Commerce Act are included in the document below.
Questions to consider:
1. Read both documents and answer the following question: Why did the Supreme Court strike down state laws that were similar to the Interstate Commerce Act? Why was such legislation considered constitutional when enacted by Congress? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Along with the rise of industry and corporations in America, was the emergence of trusts and monopolies, business entities that aimed to control an entire market in order to manipulate prices and garner profits significantly higher than the market would allow. Senator John Sherman initially introduced the legislation to prevent trusts from forming to protect the American Consumer. Although Theodore Roosevelt is most closely associated with trust busting, William Howard Taft and William McKinley both played major roles in the era, by beginning anti-trust proceedings and initiating the Industrial Commission on Trusts.
An edited copy of the text of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act is provided to delineate the goals of the government and the rules of business.
The majority opinion of three important Supreme Court cases dealing with anti-trust legislation are provided below.
The first, United States v E. C. Knight Co., decided in 1895, was the first case heard by the Supreme Court concerning the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The Court decided that the Legislature did not have the authority to regulate the monopoly in question and it effectively limited the government’s power over them.
The second, Northern Securities v United States, decided in 1904, determined that the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was sufficient to regulate a monopoly, overturning the earlier E.C. Knight Co. decision. Northern Securities was a railroad conglomerate formed by the financiers JP Morgan, James Hill, JD Rockefeller, and EH Harriman and essentially controlled all rail lines in the northern portion of the United States. The decision dissolved the trust.
The third decision listed is that of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v United States from 1911. The company was found guilty of intentionally monopolizing the petroleum market and forced to split into multiple competing organizations.
Lastly is a selection from Louis Brandeis’, a progressive Supreme Court Justice, “Other People’s Money” that is concerned with the business culture in the United States during this era and the problems he sees with it.
Questions to Consider:
1. How do you interpret the Sherman Anti-Trust Act’s ability to regulate trusts?
2.What does the court cite as the reason for dissolving the Northern Securities Trust after it had previously upheld the E.C. Knight Company? How is this held as precedent for the Standard Oil decision?
3. How does Brandeis' opinion coincide with the court cases? Would he have ruled differently, or, with a different reason? |
| | | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| In 1902, the United Mine Workers of America launched a strike in the Anthracite coalfields in eastern Pennsylvania that effectively changed the government’s relationship with labor and corporations. Whereas no coal was being mined and the nation used coal to heat homes, and in light of the coming winter, the president was forced to intervene to prevent a national disaster.
A chronology of events has been included to help in following the chain of events that constituted the strike and the government’s intervention.
The second article outlines the union’s reasons for striking.
The third article provides a public opinion of the coal strike.
Questions to Consider:
1. Why do you think the union chose this specific time of year to launch their strike? Why didn’t they begin closer to the onset of winter, or conversely nearer the beginning of spring?
2. How does the New York Times article cast the striker’s goals? How would you write the same article from the opposite view point?
3. What outcome does the author of the letter to the editor have in mind for the strike? Does his concern lie with the strikers, the public, or both?
|
| | | | | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| The Conservation Movement began in the late 19th century, but enjoyed greater support through legislation, such as the Forest Reserve Act and the Newlands Reclamation Act, during the early 20th century. The conservation movement was supported by Theodore Roosevelt and promoted the protection of forests “for the greater good for the greatest length.” Conservationists wanted to use lands for public activities and commercial endeavors, whereas an offshoot group, the preservationists, wanted the lands to be preserved for their natural beauty, scientific study, and recreation.
A timeline of events is included to follow the conservation movement throughout the period.
The photo of Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, preservationist and founder of the Sierra Club, at Yellowstone Park, the first National Park, is provided below.
In Roosevelt’s speech to Congress in support of conservation, he outlines his ideas for the administration of the forested lands.
The Newlands Reclamation Act appropriated funds for the further conservation and education in natural lands.
This excerpt from Gifford Pinchot’s “The Fight for Conservation” examines the need for conservation as a patriotic duty for all Americans.
The excerpt from Thoreau’s “Ktaadn” expresses the public's new found love for the outdoors and describes the unadulterated wilderness as seen by the author.
Questions to Consider:
1. How do you think the National Park system and the conservation movement would have been different if the preservationists won a greater share of concessions? What about if the movement did not begin to receive attention until fifty years later?
2. Do you see conservationism as a patriotic duty? How is the spirit of the conservation movement manifested in our daily lives today? |
| | | | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| A muckraker, in the early 19th century, was a journalist who investigated and exposed societal issues, usually amid a flurry of controversy and with the goal of reform. The term is credited to Theodore Roosevelt who was in favor of the muckraking journalists; he said of them in a speech:
“There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful."
The excerpts below are from two of the better known muckrakers of the era. The first is a selection from Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” which describes the conditions of the meat packing industry and was directly related to both the Meat Inspection and Pure Food and Drug Acts.
An excerpt from the Pure Food and Drug Act can be found below. It shows the regulatory measures put in place to protect the consumers.
The second is a selection from Ida Tarbell’s “History of the Standard Oil Company” that exposed the ways big business attempted to circumvent anti-trust legislation an still maintain a monopoly. The specific section below discusses Rockefeller’s specific intentions.
Questions to consider:
1. Why do you think the country was so shocked by Sinclair’s work?
2. Why do you think Roosevelt supported the journalists? What benefit did they provide the government? What benefit did they provide the progressives? |
| | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., or Teddy as he is better known, was the 26th president of the United States of America, rising to power following the assassination of William McKinley. The Republican Party bosses attempted to marginalize his influence by making him vice president, a presumed dead-end position, but their plan backfired with the death of his predecessor. Roosevelt was a Progressive reformer who wanted to bring conservative ideals into the 20th century. In the 1912 election, he split from the mainstream party and created the Bull Moose platform, running for the presidency on a third party ticket.
The photograph of Teddy Roosevelt shown below emphasizes his influence as an orator.
The recording of Roosevelt’s speech concerning liberty was taken during the campaign for the 1912 election. It discusses the historical role of liberty, the role of the government in people’s lives, and the marked difference in Roosevelt and Wilson’s opinions on the matter.
The text of two other Roosevelt speeches follow.
The first is from his third address to Congress and it deals directly with his policy on governmental regulation of industry and the Bureau of Corporations.
The second is a speech concerned with what Roosevelt refers to as the “New Nationalism,” the sense of patriotism that citizens of this era should be expected to uphold and what the foundation of those values should entail.
Questions to Consider:
1. When Roosevelt is discussing the differences in himself and the Democratic Candidate, what is the most marked difference he cites?
2. After listening to and reading the speeches by Roosevelt, can you outline his ideology? What were his goals for the country? |
| | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| William Howard Taft became the 27th President of the United States of America after Theodore Roosevelt refused the Republican nomination for president in the 1908 election. Taft was a Progressive, however, his policies differed from mainstream Progressive politics. He was more focused on the legal aspect of the ideology, rarely confronting business practices in his speeches, but initiating at least 90 anti-trust suits. Taft is very closely associated with his goals for tariff reform, of which he spoke often, and his advancements in foreign policy.
In the recorded speech (2:31 minutes) below Taft calls for the abolishment of war in foreign policy. He explains that although there is no doubt that is was a necessary and noble part of our past, we, as a human race, no longer have need for the practice.
In the excerpts from his inaugural address, he explains the need from tariff reform in light of the recent financial crisis of 1907.
In the final excerpt, Taft again defends tariff reform, this time through his direct support of the Payne-Aldrich tariff.
Questions to Consider:
1. In light of his many differences from Theodore Roosevelt, what makes William Howard Taft a Progressive politician? Does his methodology change the way his ideology is interpreted? Is there an implied method of behavior for a Progressive politician?
2. What reasons does Taft cite for the abolishment of war? How does this help the Progressive cause?
3. Why does Taft focus on the tariff as an integral portion of his presidency? How does this further the goals of the Progressive party? |
| | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States of America, elected during the highly contested election of 1912. A Democrat, but a Progressive president nonetheless, Wilson is most recognized for his regulation of the monetary system having pursued the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Instead of pursuing multiple anti-trust suits, as did his predecessors, Wilson encouraged competition through monetary policy and the Federal Trade Commission. Whereas the legislation previously in place had begun to set a legal precedent, that which Wilson initiated created governing bodies that could be held responsible for the rules set in place.
An excerpt from one of Wilson's recorded campaign speeches (4:02 minutes) describes the loss of democratic values in America and what he believes needs to be done to rejuvenate the country.
In Wilson's inaugural address, he discusses the change of government and the effect it will have on the nation, as well as his goals for the presidency.
Questions to Consider:
1. What do you think Wilson's biggest challenge was going in to the presidency following such a hard fought election as well as the change in the leading party of the government?
|
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| The Presidential election of 1912 was greatly affected by the introduction of the third party ticket, with former president Theodore Roosevelt running for the Progressive Party (Bull Moose), against the Republican incumbent William Howard Taft, and the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson. Many say that Roosevelt split the Republican vote allowing Wilson to win the presidency, but his party also appealed to many Democrats, from whom he also received a number of votes. Roosevelt made a good showing, but fell in second place, while Taft came in a distant third. Wilson garnered the majority of both the popular and electoral votes.
Questions to Consider:
1. How much of an effect on the election do you think Roosevelt actually had? Looking at the results, does it seem possible for Taft to have won reelection against Wilson alone?
2. What effect on the Republican Party’s platform do you think the election had? Do you think they incorporated more Progressive principles into their ideology? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Back To Module List Back to Sections |
