The Progressive Era

Damian Baird

Mrs. Roselander

October 26, 2010

History

1. What role did President Roosevelt want the federal gov’t to serve? p.597

President Roosevelt wanted the federal government to “act as an umpire…” and decide when big business was good and when it wasn’t.

2. What reforms (think new laws, agencies, etc…) were achieved during TR’s presidency?

There were many reforms that were achieved during TR’s presidency, including he the breakup of Northern Securities Company, investigation and regulation of meatpacking factories, the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the promotion of woodland protection and conservation.

3. How did TR handle the 1902 United Mine Workers’ Strike? How did this illustrate his stance toward unions?

In response to the United Mine Workers’ strike against Pennsylvania coal mine owners in 1902, Roosevelt threatened to reopen the mines by force, making management accept negotiation of the dispute by a special commission. This shows that Roosevelt supported Unions.  

4. Was Taft a true “Progressive”? Make a list of points for and against…

WAS TAFT A PROGRESSIVE?

YES	NO
Taft prosecuted more trusts than Roosevelt	Signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff
Supported labor reforms
Signed the Mann-Elkins Act

5. Who were the main contenders in the 1912 election? What were the election returns?

In the 1912 election, the main contenders were Woodrow Wilson for the Democrats, who received 42 percent of the popular vote and 435 electoral votes, and Theodore Roosevelt for the Progressives, receiving 27 percent of the popular vote and 88 electoral votes.

6. Define Wilson’s, “New Freedom,” platform.

Wilson believed that “concentrated economic power threatened individual liberty” and that monopolies needed to be split apart so that the market would become truly open.

7. What reforms were passed during Wilson’s presidency?

Wilson passed multiple reforms, including the passing of the Federal Reserve Act, the passing of the Underwood Tariff, the first graduated income tax, the passing of the Federal Farm Loan Act, the passage of the Adamson Act, and appointed Brandeis to the Supreme Court.

OPVL

The origin of the document is Secretary of War, General Nelson A. Miles, in 1890.


It is a report on the causes of Indian dissatisfaction. It was created to show that the massacre at Wounded Knee was the fault of the Government, and to ensure that it didn’t happen to anyone else. It was written as a report so that the politicians would be forced to read it. This was a turning point in history, the first time that anyone saw native culture as equal and didn’t attempt to destroy it for personal gain.

It is a secondary source, and it is a report making it moderately valuable. This report is even more valuable because it was written by a politician who did not try to twist the facts in his favor. This was written at a time when cultures were destroyed without pause. General Miles believed that the government was to blame for the reasons leading to the massacre at Wounded Knee. The piece touches upon the demilitarization of the Indians accurately.

This story does not touch upon the government’s side of the story. This piece can be verified by the other documents of the time. It very accurately reflects the time period, in accordance with other historical texts. The author does not leave out any known information. The views of the other politicians are purposely ignored.