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Section
2
Words to Know
capitalism
a system in which private businesses, farrns, and
factories compete with one another to make a profit
muckraker
a
writer who brings attention to corruption
trust
a
giant corporation, or group of companies
A
./1s the 1900s began, the United States faced a number
of problems. They included poverty, unsafe working
conditions, and unclean food. Some Americans blamed
rich people for these problems. Some Americans said
capitalism did not work. Capitalism is a system in
which private businesses, farms, and factories compete
with one another to make a profit. Many Americans,
called Progressives, thought they could improve the
system by working together with government.
Making lmprovements
Progressives believed that many problems were
caused by the fast growth of industry and cities. They
wanted laws to regulate, or control, business and to
improve working conditions. They also felt that laws
were needed to improve health and education in poor
neighborhoods. Progressives felt that these laws would
lead to better lives.
Writers became part of the Progressive movement.
In newspapers, magazines, and books, these writers
brought attention to corruption in business and
government.
Chapter 15 . The Reformers.
ijr'
1870-1920
279
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ïhese men are workers in a meatpacking factory.
The writers came to be known as muckrakers, or
writers who bring attention to corruption. They were
named for a character in a novel who spent his time
raking up muck, or dirt, from the floor.
Upton Sinclair wrote about unclean practices in
the meatpacking industry. Sinclair's book The lungle
described what he saw in meatpacking plants. The
book sickened and angered Americans.
Ida Târbell wrote about corruption in the oil
industry. She found out that John D. Rockefeller had
made secret deals with railroad companies. These deals
made Rockefeller's oil cheaper. Cheap prices helped to
force other oil companies out of business. This created
an oil monopoly for Rockefeller.
280
Unit 5 . Becoming a Wprld Leader
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Lincoln Steffens wrote about corruption in local
government. He showed how bosses took bribes from big ':
businesses to allow them to break safety laws.
How did the muckrakers help the Progressives?
Roosevelt and the Coal Minersn Strike
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became President in
1901, after President William McKinley was assassinated.
Roosevelt supported many Progressive ideas.
In
19Q2, more
than 100,000 Pennsylvania coal
miners went on strike. They wanted an eight-hour work
day and a pay raise. They complained that they were
forced to live in company towns. However, wealthy
mine owners would not talk to the miners or to leaders
of their union, the United Mine Workers.
Gitizenship Link
MODERN PROGRESS¡VES
The Progressives changed the way citizens thought about their
responsibilities. Organized groups of volunteers began to work
together to improve their communities.
The National Neighborhood Coalition (NNC) and
Habitat for Humanity are both modern-day progressive
groups. Both work with neighOorhood groups tó soMe
community problems.
The NNC helps neighborhood groups get information
about programs that help communities. lt also helps
them contact government officials. The NNC believes
that it is important for the government to work with the
people to solve neighborhood problems.
Workers in a
community garden
GriticalThinking How are modern progressive groups like the
Progressives of the early 1900s?
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Chapter'15. The Reformers.
1870-1920
281
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The strike continued for several months. Without
coal, there would be no heat. Finally, Roosevelt warned
that he would have U.S. troops take control of the
mines. That warning forced the owners to talk. The
owners gave the miners some of what they went on
strike for.
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,,it
did Theodore Roosevelt do to end the coal
ffiprnut
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miners' strike of
Trust Busting and Other Reforms
Some leaders of big business had organized giant
corporations, or groups of companies, called trusts.
President Roosevelt felt that it was against the law
for trusts to force smaller companies out of business.
Roosevelt took several trusts to court. The courts ordered
that the trusts be broken up into smaller companies.
ln L904, Roosevelt was easily elected to office.
Roosevelt got Congress to pass laws that cleared rundown areas of cities and made factories safer. Laws
were also passed to control the power of railroads and
allow health officials to inspect meatpacking plants.
þnut
were some of President Roosevelt's reforms?
Section 2 Review
L. According to the Progressives, what was the
purpose of government?
2.Whatdid the muckrakers write about?
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3. Gritical Thinking Why did President Roosevelt
want to end the coal miners'strike?
4. Write About History Write a short essay about
Theodore Roosevelt as the first Progressive
President.
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Unit 51 BecominOç World Leader
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