Progressive Era (1895-1914)
Government Reform
Charles Barreto
Gabriel Garcia
“a reform is not so much to equalize property as to train
the noble sort of natures not to desire more, and to
prevent the lower from getting less.”
Slogan
“The scope of a modern government in what it can
and ought to accomplish for its people has been
widened far beyond the principles laid down by the
old widening has met popular approval.”
Pre-Reform
● Entering 20th Century
○ Business and Corporate Expansion
○ Workers Facing Poverty
● Partnership Formed b/w Politicians and Entrepreneurs
○ Businesses Provided Politicians With Votes
○ Politicians Provided Businesses With Services
○ Neglected Lower and Middle Class
Robert M. La Follete
● Wisconsin Governor (1901-1906)
● U.S. Senator (1906-1925)
● Refused Bride from Republican Leader
○ Motivation for Reform
● Vital Gov’t Reform Contribution:
○ “Wisconsin Idea”
■ Gov’t Functions Best W/ Help of
Academic Expertise
Theodore Roosevelt
● U.S. President (1901-1909)
● Major Progressive Figure
○ Determination for Reform
○ Gov’t Is Key to Efficiency and Order
■ Listening to the Citizens
■ Providing for the Citizens
Contribution of La Follete,
Roosevelt, and Wilson
○ Initiative: process which allowed any citizen to
propose a law
○ Referendum: process which allowed citizens,
instead of legislative, to vote on a proposed law
○ Recall: process which allowed citizens to remove an
elected official before his/her term has ended
○ Direct Primary: allowed voters to elect their own
party candidates instead of the party bosses
○ 17th Amendment: proposed direct election of U.S.
senators
Particular Muckrakers
● Published articles on TIMES and
McClure’s Magazine
● Lincoln Steffens:
○ Attacked Political Corruption
■ “Shame of the Cities”
● David Graham Phillips
○ Focused on the profiteering
senate
Conclusion
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Republican governor Robert LaFollete put into effect the “Wisconsin
idea,” which provided a model for reformers across the nation direct
primaries, a railroad commission, tax reform, opposition to political bosses,
and the initiative to give people more direct control over the government.
Muckrakers like Lincoln Steffens, Jacob Riis, Ida B. Wells and Graham
Phillips investigated corruption to expose problems to the People of United
State of America.
City reforms involved urban corruption resulting in the reorganization of
the local government.
President Theodore Roosevelt, and governors Robert M. LaFollete
(Wisconsin), and Woodrow Wilson (NJ), helped get reforms passed in
their states
The 17th amendment provided the direct election of U.S. senators.
President Theodore Roosevelt supported the movement by embracing
environmental conservation, forcing arbitration in the Anthracite Coal
Strike, and busting monopolies that were harmful to the public.