The Progressive Era in the United States (1890s-1920s)

1. A Time of Change and Reform:

⭐Industrialization and Urbanization: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw rapid growth in industries, factories, and cities. This brought about new challenges like poverty, pollution, and crime.
⭐Social Problems: Inequality grew, with wealthy industrialists accumulating immense wealth while many workers lived in poverty. Child labor, unsafe working conditions, and corrupt political machines were widespread.
⭐The Rise of Progressivism: A reform movement emerged, fueled by intellectuals, journalists, and social activists. They believed in using government power to address social problems, promote social justice, and improve the lives of ordinary people.

2. Key Themes of Progressivism:

⭐Social Justice: Progressives sought to address issues like poverty, inequality, and child labor. They aimed to create a fairer society for all.
⭐Efficiency and Expertise: They believed that government and society could be improved through scientific methods, expert knowledge, and efficient management.
⭐Regulation and Control: Progressives supported government regulation of businesses, especially monopolies, to prevent corruption and protect consumers.
⭐Political Reform: They aimed to limit the power of political machines, introduce direct democracy (like referendums and recalls), and make government more responsive to the people.

3. Major Figures and Movements:

⭐Muckrakers: Investigative journalists like Upton Sinclair (The Jungle) and Ida Tarbell (History of the Standard Oil Company) exposed corruption and social ills, raising public awareness.
⭐Social Gospel Movement: Religious leaders advocated for social justice and reforms, calling for a more Christian society that addressed poverty and inequality.
⭐Women's Suffrage Movement: Women campaigned for the right to vote, gaining recognition for their efforts in the 19th Amendment (1920).
⭐Labor Unions: Organizations like the American Federation of Labor (AFL) fought for better working conditions, shorter hours, and higher wages for workers.

4. Key Legislative Achievements:

⭐Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Banned the sale of adulterated and mislabeled food and drugs.
⭐Meat Inspection Act (1906): Established federal inspection of meat processing to ensure safety and hygiene.
⭐Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act, making it easier to break up monopolies and promote competition.
⭐Federal Reserve Act (1913): Created a central banking system to regulate the nation's money supply and prevent financial crises.
⭐16th Amendment (1913): Established a federal income tax.
⭐17th Amendment (1913): Established the direct election of senators by the people rather than by state legislatures.
⭐18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
⭐19th Amendment (1920): Guaranteed women's right to vote.

5. The Legacy of the Progressive Era:

⭐Expansion of Government Power: The Progressive Era saw a significant increase in the size and scope of the federal government, tackling problems that had previously been considered local matters.
⭐Social and Economic Reforms: Significant improvements were made in areas such as public health, education, and labor conditions.
⭐Increased Citizen Participation: Direct democracy reforms gave citizens a greater voice in government.
⭐A Foundation for Future Reforms: The Progressive Era laid the groundwork for future social and economic reforms, including the New Deal and the Civil Rights movement.

Roosevelt's Responses to Opposition (1930s-1940s)

1. The Great Depression:

⭐Economic Collapse: The 1929 stock market crash triggered a global economic depression, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and hardship in the United States.
⭐FDR's Election: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president in 1932 on a platform of tackling the depression, promising a "New Deal" for the American people.

2. The New Deal:

⭐Relief, Recovery, and Reform: The New Deal aimed to provide immediate relief to the unemployed, foster economic recovery, and implement long-term reforms to prevent another depression.
⭐Key Programs: Included the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Social Security, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

3. Opposition to the New Deal:

⭐Conservative Opposition: Business leaders, wealthy individuals, and many Republicans opposed the New Deal, arguing that it was too expensive, too intrusive, and undermined individual liberty.
⭐Supreme Court Challenges: The Supreme Court initially struck down several New Deal programs as unconstitutional.
⭐The "Court-Packing" Controversy: FDR proposed expanding the Supreme Court to include more justices sympathetic to his policies, but this plan was met with fierce opposition and eventually abandoned.

4. Roosevelt's Responses:

⭐Public Persuasion: FDR used radio broadcasts ("fireside chats") to communicate his vision directly to the American people, building public support for his programs.
⭐Political Strategy: He worked to build a coalition of support within Congress, using his political skills to overcome opposition.
⭐Expansion of Executive Power: FDR asserted the power of the presidency to address the crisis, expanding the role of the federal government in areas like economic regulation and social welfare.

5. The Legacy of Roosevelt's Responses:

⭐Shift in Political Landscape: The New Deal significantly expanded the role of the government in the economy and social policies, marking a major shift in the political landscape of the United States.
⭐Expansion of Presidential Power: FDR's actions expanded the power of the presidency, setting a precedent for future presidents to take a more active role in addressing national crises.
⭐The Rise of the Welfare State: The New Deal laid the foundation for the modern welfare state, creating a safety net for Americans in times of need.

7.3 The New Deal

1. Responding to the Great Depression:

⭐The Stock Market Crash of 1929: The US economy had been booming in the 1920s, but the stock market crash of 1929 triggered a devastating economic depression.
⭐Widespread Unemployment and Poverty: Millions of Americans lost their jobs, businesses failed, and poverty became widespread.
⭐President Herbert Hoover's Response: Hoover initially believed in limited government intervention, but his efforts to help the economy were insufficient.

2. FDR's Election and the New Deal:

⭐Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Promise: FDR promised a "New Deal" to address the depression, emphasizing government intervention and creating jobs.
⭐The Three R's: The New Deal aimed to provide Relief for the unemployed, Recovery for the economy, and Reform to prevent future depressions.
⭐Key Programs: The New Deal included a vast array of programs, such as the Social Security Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

3. The Impact of the New Deal:

⭐Short-Term Relief: The New Deal provided immediate relief to millions of Americans, providing jobs, food, and shelter.
⭐Long-Term Economic Recovery: It helped to revive the economy, though the recovery was gradual and affected different regions and groups of people differently.
⭐Significant Social Change: The New Deal expanded the role of the federal government in social welfare, creating programs like Social Security and unemployment insurance that continue to benefit Americans today.
⭐Transformation of Government: It expanded the role of the government in regulating the economy and providing social services, laying the foundation for the modern welfare state.

4. Criticisms and Controversies:

⭐Opposition from Conservatives: Business leaders and many Republicans opposed the New Deal, arguing that it was too expensive, too intrusive, and undermined individual liberty.
⭐The Court-Packing Plan: FDR's attempt to expand the Supreme Court in 1937 was met with fierce opposition and ultimately failed.
⭐Racial Disparities: The New Deal did not address racial inequalities, and many African Americans were excluded from its benefits or faced discrimination.

5. The New Deal's Legacy:

⭐Redefining Government's Role: The New Deal established a new understanding of government responsibility for providing social and economic security for its citizens.
⭐Expansion of Social Welfare: It created a network of social welfare programs that continue to provide essential support to millions of Americans.
⭐The Foundation for the Modern Welfare State: It laid the foundation for the modern welfare state, which aims to address social needs and promote economic well-being.
⭐A Lasting Impact on the American Political Landscape: The New Deal transformed the relationship between the government and the people, shaping the political landscape for decades to come.