Progressive Era

Full Answer Section

Slide 2: Regulation of Business

• Title: Taming the Titans: Regulation of Business
• Key Points:
  • Response to laissez-faire capitalism and industrial consolidation (trusts).
  • Landmark legislation like the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) and Clayton Antitrust Act (1914).
  • Establishment of regulatory agencies: Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • Focus on fair competition, consumer protection, and worker safety.
• (Image Suggestion: A political cartoon depicting Theodore Roosevelt as a "trust-buster" or an image of early FDA inspections.)

Slide Notes (100-200 words):

The Progressive Era witnessed a significant shift in the government's role in regulating business. The unchecked power of large industrial trusts and corporations raised concerns about unfair competition, exploitation of workers, and harm to consumers. Progressives advocated for government intervention to "tame the titans" of industry and create a more equitable economic landscape. Key legislative achievements included the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890), aimed at preventing monopolies, and the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914), which further clarified and strengthened antitrust regulations, addressing practices like price discrimination and interlocking directorates. Furthermore, the establishment of regulatory agencies like the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1887 (a precursor to the peak Progressive Era) to oversee railroads and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1906 to ensure the safety and efficacy of food and drugs marked a fundamental change in the relationship between government and business. These reforms laid the groundwork for modern regulatory frameworks designed to protect consumers, promote fair competition, and ensure a degree of social responsibility from corporations. [Citation: Your Textbook Name and Page Number(s) or Instructor Materials].

Slide 3: Greater Democracy

• Title: Empowering the People: Greater Democracy
• Key Points:
  • Efforts to increase citizen participation and reduce political corruption.
  • Key reforms: Initiative, Referendum, Recall at the state level.
  • The 17th Amendment (1913): Direct election of U.S. Senators.
  • Women's Suffrage Movement and the 19th Amendment (1920).
• (Image Suggestion: A photograph of women marching for suffrage or a depiction of citizens voting on a state initiative.)

Slide Notes (100-200 words):

A central tenet of the Progressive movement was the desire to empower ordinary citizens and make government more responsive to their needs. Progressives believed that political corruption and the influence of special interests undermined democratic principles. To address this, numerous reforms aimed at increasing direct citizen participation were implemented, particularly at the state level. The initiative allowed citizens to propose legislation, the referendum enabled them to vote on laws passed by the legislature, and recall provided a mechanism to remove elected officials before the end of their terms. Perhaps one of the most significant federal reforms was the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, which mandated the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, replacing the previous system where state legislatures chose them. The culmination of decades of tireless advocacy was the Women's Suffrage Movement, which finally achieved its goal with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote nationwide. These democratic reforms fundamentally altered the American political landscape, expanding citizen participation and laying the foundation for future movements for civil rights and political inclusion. [Citation: GCU Library Guide for HIS-144 US History Themes or Instructor Materials].

Slide 4: Conservationism

• Title: Preserving the Nation: Conservationism
• Key Points:
  • Response to rapid industrialization and exploitation of natural resources.
  • Key figures: Theodore Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot.
  • Establishment of national parks, forests, and monuments.
  • Emphasis on scientific management of resources for long-term use.
• (Image Suggestion: A scenic view of a national park established during the Progressive Era, such as Yosemite or Yellowstone.)

Slide Notes (100-200 words):

The Progressive Era also saw the rise of a significant conservation movement, driven by concerns over the rapid depletion of the nation's natural resources due to industrial expansion and westward expansion. Leaders like President Theodore Roosevelt and his chief forester, Gifford Pinchot, championed the idea of scientific management of these resources for the long-term benefit of the nation. This philosophy, often contrasted with pure preservationism, aimed at the sustainable use of resources rather than simply leaving them untouched. Under Roosevelt's leadership, millions of acres of public land were set aside as national forests, parks, and monuments, including expansion of existing parks like Yellowstone and the creation of new ones like Grand Canyon National Monument. The establishment of the U.S. Forest Service and the passage of legislation aimed at regulating logging and mining reflected a growing awareness of the need to protect America's natural heritage. The legacy of this movement is evident in our national park system and the ongoing debates about environmental protection and resource management today. [Citation: Your Textbook Name and Page Number(s)].

Sample Answer

The Enduring Impact: Legacy of the Progressive Era

Slide 1: Title Slide

• Title: The Enduring Impact: Legacy of the Progressive Era
• Subtitle: Shaping Modern America
• Your Name
• HIS-144 US History Themes
• [Date]
• (Image Suggestion: A collage of iconic images from the Progressive Era, such as Theodore Roosevelt, women's suffrage marchers, national parks, and early automobiles.)

Slide Notes (100-200 words):

The Progressive Era, a period of significant social and political reform in the United States spanning roughly from the 1890s to the 1920s, left an indelible mark on the nation. Fueled by concerns over industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption, Progressives sought to address these issues through a variety of reforms. This presentation will explore the lasting legacy of this transformative era, focusing on five key areas: the regulation of business, the expansion of democracy, the rise of conservationism, the burgeoning of professionalism, and the controversial experiment of Prohibition. Understanding the roots of these movements is crucial to comprehending the fabric of modern American society and the ongoing debates surrounding the role of government, individual rights, and societal well-being. The reforms enacted during this period continue to shape our economic landscape, political processes, environmental consciousness, professional standards, and even our cultural norms.