The Progressive movement aimed to address inequality and corruption in the U.S. through government, business, and social reforms led by Theodore Roosevelt and other reformers in the early 1900s. Key reforms included establishing a federal income tax, breaking up monopolies, implementing child labor laws and women's suffrage, and creating national parks. Muckrakers in the press helped expose problems and push for these reforms to create a fairer and healthier society.

1. THE PROGRESSIVE
MOVEMENT
T.R. AND HIS POSSE

2. Issues in the U.S.
• Inequality between:
– Men & Women
• Wages, Voting
– Rich & Poor (Johnny Rock &
General Public -not Public Enemy)
• Poor working conditions
• Unequal distribution of wealth

3. Why should they care?
• Progressives were not directly
affected
– weren’t poor workers like the
Populists were
• Most were middle to upper class who
wanted reform in America
• What kind of reform???

4. Government Reform – End
corruption at all levels
17th Amendment (1913)
– Right to elect Senators given to people
(taken from State legislatures)
16th Amendment (1913)
- Income Tax implemented
Used to tax railroads at same level as
other businesses (no more breaks)
– This didn’t work out so good 

6. Bidness (Yea boy) Reform
• Break up monopolies & Trusts
– Teddy the “Trust Buster”
• Push for safer working conditions &
better, safer products for consumers

7. Muckrakers
• Members of the
press that
investigated
corruption in
order to expose
problems to the
American
people.

8. Social Reform – “You Kiddies”
• Child Labor Laws
– Limit hours, poor conditions
• Health
– $$$ to attack curable diseases
• Recreation
– National Parks, Recreation Centers
• Education Reform
- Number of High Schools Double
(1900-1920)

9. Social Reform – “Hey Ladies!!!”
• Women’s Suffrage – Voting Rights
– 19th Amendment (1920)
• Working Conditions, hours
– Muller vs. Oregon (1908)
• Supreme Court upheld law limiting
workday for women to protect their
health
***Court makes decision based on
what is “best for society” not on legal
principle

10. “Last Call …for Alcohol”
• Prohibition – 18th Amendment (1919)
– Women’s Christian Temperance
Union