Federal Government Intervention In The Progressive Era

1613 Words4 Pages

The federal government always came into play at different time periods, when businesses, economy inflation, or local state laws took advantage of the people, which made forced the federal government to act and set down policies and rules to protect the people of the United States. There was the progressive era, the New Deal, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Acts and policies that were passed by the federal government.
The Progressive era was the most crucial time period where federal government intervention was necessary. Before the Progressive era started in 1890, the federal government crackdown monopolies that were going on, they focused on railroad companies first because workers and farmers were mistreated because the workers did not …show more content…

Farmers were burned out rapidly from declining farm prices, high tariffs on items they need to purchase, and foreign competition. Farmers also faced overproduction when their products in the market drove the price lower and lower. Farmers were paying inflated prices but not receiving money. Gold v Silver as basis of U.S currency poured real difficulties for farmers. In 1890 several organizations made a national alliance that had 2.5 million members participating 1.5 million individuals were white and 1 million were black. All these organizations wanted regulation of railroad prices and the creation of an inflationary national monetary policy. Wanted a sub treasury plan, plan that the federal government would store famers crops in government warehouses for a period of time and provide loans to farmers worth 80% of current crop prices. The plan would also give government officials control over railroads, end bank system, creation of federal income tax, direct elections of U.S senators, more proactive government that would support economic and social welfare of all Americans. (US History 1700 …show more content…

The citizens would elect city councilors who would pass laws and handle all legislative issues. The greatest advocate of the Progressive movement was a governor Robert LaFollete. LaFollette introduced the “Wilson Idea,” he hired experts to improve drafting legislation to improve conditions in his state. The governor signed into law the first workman’s compensation system, approved minimum wage law, developed a Progressive tax law, adopted direct election of senators before the it was implemented in the constitution, and advocated women’s suffrage. LaFollette served as a U.S senator from Wisconsin from 1906-1925. (US History 1700

Show More
Related

  • The Populist and Progressive Movements

    526 Words  | 2 Pages

    Farmers united to protect their interests, even creating a major political party. The party was called the peoples party which became known as the populist party. Populists drew its strength from rural areas. Populists tended to be poor and uneducated. They had ideas such as government ownership of major industries. The Populists supported labors demand for an eight hour work day. The most controversial Populist demand concerned the money supply. Farmers being both sellers and debtors, saw inflation as a way to improve their standard of living, but they wanted to expand the money supply. Farmers convinced the government to use silver as well as gold to back the money supply. The congress passed the Bland-Allison Act and the Sherman Silver Purchase. Populist platform urged congress to authorize free and unlimited minting of silver. The Populists were united in favoring the minting of silver to expand the money supply. Democrats agreed with the Populist, but most Republicans favored the gold standard and a smaller money supply. Democrats agreed on a presidential candidate that was with the mint silver, wh...

    Read More

  • Progressive Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Progressive Movement that occurred during the early 20th century was a time of major reform in the United States of America. During this time, there was a group of activists that referred to themselves as the Progressives, and they sought to change society for the people. The way that they intended to do this was change through their ideals of democracy, efficiency, regulation, and social justice. With this movement came the election that changed the course of America’s history “…demonstrating a victory for progressive reforms as both Progressive candidates accounted for 75 percent of all the votes” (Bowles). The candidates in this election were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

    Read More

  • Goals of the Progressive Era

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    The term Progressivism implies a philosophy that promotes change/reform in the current political, economic, and social aspects of society while conservatism stresses gradual change in society but promotes tradition rather than change. The Progressive movement from 1901 to 1917 worked to improve aspects of society that grew out of problems which occurred during the Industrial Age. The goals of the "Progressives" were to stop monopolies, corruption, inefficiency and social injustices. Both progressive acts and amendments were being passed to deal with social ills, corruption in politics and corporate America. The period from 1901-1917 was more a victory for liberalism, mainly "modern liberalism", than a triumph of conservatism due to the fact that multiple reform movements were occurring in this era changing political, economic, and social aspects in society to protect the rights of the common man.

    Read More

  • Progressive Era Dbq

    1128 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Progressive Era, pressure from labor, suffrage, and conservation movements profoundly changed the course of American history. Many of the reformers' ideas clashed with the male-dominated, capitalist economic structure present at the turn of the century. Some of the intended reforms opposed the current system, but the level of social unrest necessitated change. Businessmen and activists alike initiated the reforms during the Progressive Era. Government, due to the intention of calming the common man and quieting the seemingly more and more vocal middle class, supported them. In the final analysis, from the year 1900 to 1920, Progressive Era reformers were successful in bringing about reform to the United States.

    Read More

  • Progessives and The Pure Food and Drug Act

    859 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the turn of the century America entered a new age that many historians call the Progressive Era. During this time period, the American Political system changed its view on how America should be brought about. It provided a purification of the American government through direct democracy. This era included many social and political reforms, which were brought about due to monopolies, and trust corporations.

    Read More

  • The Farmers' Revolt

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    High prices forced farmers to concentrate on one crop. The large-scale farmers bought expensive machines, increasing their crop yield. This caused the smaller farmers to be left behind. The small farmers could no longer compete and were forced give up their farms and look for jobs in the cities. The smaller farmers who stayed blamed their troubles on banks and railroads. In the 1890’s western and southern farmers came together to make up the political party called the Populist Party. Their plan was to take control of the White House; then they could solve all their problems.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Progressive Era And The New Deal Era

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thesis The Progressive Era and the New Deal Era had a significant amount of similarities with policies and programs to reform the American society and improve lives and fight poverty in America. Although the Progressive and New Deal Era had many similarities there were still differences between them.

    Read More

  • Effectiveness of the Progressive Era

    599 Words  | 2 Pages

    Within the period of 1900-1920, many national reforms were rising to the top as Progressive Era reformers and the federal government heard the voices of the people. The effectiveness of Progressivism is a controversial subject for some, but the future was changed through the events of any actions a president made, the rights of people, and unfair treatment and conditions. This era brings changes to our society that also changes the future of it. These two decades brought forth successful times in bettering America.

    Read More

  • The Populists and Progressives

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    The farmers feared that Eastern industrialists and bankers were gaining too much influence, power and control over the government. During the “bust” cycle, and times of difficulties, farmers got together, talked about their problems and formed the Populist Party. The Populists were formed because of challenges and difficulties in which they were forced to deal with every day. These challenges included crop failures, falling prices, and the inability to pay loans. The Populists party called for reform by wanting the government to intervene and lessen the impact of economic depressions, regu...

    Read More

  • Dbq The Progressive Era

    1840 Words  | 4 Pages

    By the time period of 1900-1920 America was almost fully industrialized. At this time, America was going through a Gilded Age where everything looked good on the outer perspective however on the inside, there were many issues within society. The Progressive Era consisted of people who wanted to reform society politically, socially, and economically. Progressive reformers and the federal government were successful in bringing about reform at the national level by gaining some women's rights as well as African Americans trying to better their reputation in society, improving working conditions, and fixing the American economy.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era's Affect on Modern America

    1904 Words  | 4 Pages

    Where did some of modern America's issues originate from? The answer to that is the Progressive Era. The Legislation of that era laid all of the groundwork for today, and much of it is still in public debate today. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, three of the presidents from that era, all played roles in the groundwork. These presidents passed acts, tariffs, and amendments that are still with us, and debated today.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reformers known as Progressives attempted to undo the problems caused by industrialization. The Progressive movement sought to end the influence of large corporations, provide more rights and benefits to workers, and end the control possessed by party leaders. At the national level, Progressivism centered on defeating the power of large businesses. The Progressive Era was a period in American history in which improving working conditions, exposing corruption, improving the way of life, expanding democracy, and making reforms were the objectives at hand. With the emergence of the Progressive Era, two important figures gradually emerged as well.

    Read More

  • The Dual Nature of the Progressive Era

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    One common misconception is to view the Progressive movement as a unified core of reform-minded crusaders dedicated to improving the social welfare of American society. While this viewpoint is not entirely incorrect, it is only a partial and thereby misleading assessment of the movement that categorized the early part of the nineteenth-century. What some may fail to appreciate is the duality of the period-the cry for social welfare reforms juxtaposed against the demand for optimum efficiency through scientific controls.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era?s influence on the New Deal

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although the first signs of this pristine Progressive movement shone since the mid-1800s, no one had cleared the way for its momentous effect upon the nation in the same degree as Theodore Roosevelt. Although at times hot-tempered and brash, his charismatic attitude pushed forward many of the original progressive legislations. For example, his Sherman Anti-Trust Act proposed the life of a trust should be based on its history and actions, since he believed “good” trusts existed along with “bad” ones. Next, the Elkins Act proposed railroads and shippers to offer rebates illegal. They also had to have fixed rates, and couldn’t change without notice. Also, the Hepburn Act gave ICC the power to set maximum railroad rates. Next, of course because of the impetus for reform provided by the many socialist writers, such as Upton Sinclair, was the landmark Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, protecting the health and safety of consumable products and establishing the Food and Drug Administration. He also wished to preserve the untainted countryside, and established the National Forest Service and also strengthened the Forest Bureau. He also passed the Newlands Act which helped to create subsidies for irrigation in 16 western states. The actions taken by Theodore Roosevelt proved to throw the Progressive movement into the mainstream of the nation, showing its true, ingenuous face.

    Read More

  • Progressive Era Essay

    520 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the civil war, America was rapidly growing socially and economically. Because of the rapid industrial growth, many businesses were abusing their workers and therefor gave them very low wages. Workers and many other people began to unite and fight for their rights and for the well-being in society. This time period, known as the Progressive era, brought very important social changes and reforms. The Progressive era was very successful because the majority of the changes were to improve the lives of all American workers and to make a beneficial change. The Progressive Era had four main goals; Protecting Social Welfare, Promoting Moral Improvement, Creating Economic Reform, and Fostering Efficiency. The changes took a long period of time to implement and it was not easy making people aware that there was need for change.

    Read More

More about Federal Government Intervention In The Progressive Era

Open Document