Chapter 22 Part 1: The Age of Reform

Overview

• Focus: Transition from Populism to Progressivism, growth of big government
• Historical Context: Populists' failure as a political party, impacts leading to Progressivism

Populism

• Populists' Goals: Economic conditions, political reforms
• Outcome: Did not succeed politically, but influenced Progressivism
• Key Influence: Federal regulation in areas like railroads despite limited success

Progressivism

• Aim: Reforming government to protect consumers
• Populists vs. Progressives:
  • Populists: Mostly rural, focused on farmers, many Democrats
  • Progressives: Mostly urban, focused on consumers, many Republicans
• Origins: Social Gospel movement, direct action
• Key Context: Post-1893 Panic prosperity encouraging reform

Muckrakers

• Role: Investigative journalists exposing corruption
• Key Figures:
  • Ida Tarbell: Wrote about Standard Oil
  • Lincoln Steffens: Wrote about city governments
  • Ida B. Wells: Exposed issues facing African-Americans, against lynching
• Targets: Mergers, trusts, monopolies

Concepts and Beliefs

• Progressives' Beliefs:
  • Distrust of private corporations for public services
  • Advocacy for public utilities and fair business practices
  • Separation from radical unionism
  • Focus on methodical reforms over radical changes

Urban Reforms

• Objective: Break link between special interest groups and party machines
• Ideal: Revival of civic involvement, inspired by New England town meetings
• Reforms: Models for city governance
  • Strong Mayor: Mayor with substantial powers
  • Weak Mayor: City council driven governance with limited mayoral power
  • City Manager: Professional manager overseeing city operations
  • Commission System: Commissioners elected to oversee specific areas (e.g., public safety, finance)

Utilities Debate

• Case Study: Hetch Hetchy Valley water supply for San Francisco
• Debate: Conservation vs. public utility needs

State-Level Reforms

• Key Figure: Robert "Fighting Bob" LaFollette, Wisconsin
• Ideas Introduced: Initiative, referendum, direct primary
• Commissions: Appointed for regulatory oversight (e.g., Public Utilities Commission)
• Recall: Mechanism to remove elected officials via petition

Women's Progressivism

• Child Labor Laws: Limiting hours, raising working age limits
• Mueller v. Oregon: Supreme Court case upholding women's work hour limits for public good
• Women's Suffrage: State by state approach leading to 19th Amendment (1920)

Amendments and Legislation

• 16th Amendment: Federal income tax
• 17th Amendment: Direct election of senators
• Populists' Influence: Populist goals achieved through Progressive actions
• Primary Systems: Various forms of primaries, e.g., California jungle primary

Conclusion

• Overview: Distinction and influence of Populist and Progressive movements
• Next: Continuation in Part 2 with further examinations of the Progressive Era