Wednesday, April 2, 2014 • No homework  • Do Now: – Turn in your article reports on back table – Have out key terms from page 644, be ready to review

The Gilded Age • Gilded: coated with a thin coat of gold paint • Some Americans worried that the glitter of American society was hiding serious problems • Worries: – Industrialists and wealthy enriching themselves at the expense of public – Corruption in government

The Spoils System • The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs • Think back to the “Age of Jackson” – it has since grown larger • Whenever a new president took office, supporters flocked to Washington to demand jobs for their support

James Garfield • In 1881, he became president and was swarmed with many job seekers • 4 months later, he was shot by a disappointed office seeker • Vice President Chester Arthur must step up – In 1883, signed the Pendleton Act to reform how government jobs were given

The Pendleton Act • Created the Civil Service Commission – A system that includes most government jobs, except elected positions, the judiciary, and the military.

• Jobs went to those with the highest scores on civil service examinations

Controlling Big Business • Americans were not happy with the bribes that were going on with the government and big business • Under the constitution, the federal government has the power to regulate interstate commerce • In 1887, President Grover Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act – Forbid rebates and set up a commission to oversee railroads

Controlling Big Business • President Benjamin Harrison signed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890.

– Prohibited businesses from trying to limit or destroy competition – In reality, it limited the power of labor unions more than regulating trusts – Courts said labor strikes blocked free trade and threatened competition.

Corruption in Cities • Corruption was a serious problem in city governments • Growing cities = more garbage collectors, sewers, and building of roads • Politicians accepted money and awarded positions to friends

Corruption in Cities • City bosses grew more popular because they cheated businesses out of money and gave to the poor • William “Boss” Tweed was a great offender of this process. • Boss Tweed was arrested and died in jail, but many poor New Yorkers mourned for him

Thursday, April 3, 2014 • Homework: – Page 648 1-8 • Do Now: – Section 1 guided notes (worksheet)

Muckrakers • The press played a very important role in exposing corruption • President Theodore Roosevelt compared reporters with uncovered problems to men who raked up dirt (or muck) in stables

Muckrakers • Many muckrakers targeted big business – Ida Tarbell’s work led to demands on more control over trusts • Others focused on the corruption in the city governments which led to inadequate fire, police, and sanitation workers – Jacob Riis provided pictures of slum life – Upton Sinclair provided gory details about the meat packing industry in The Jungle

Friday, April 4, 2014

• No Homework  • Do Now: – Please have out your homework from last night (page 648) compare with a partner

The Progressive Presidents • William McKinley – An unemployed man stood in line to shake the hand of the president.

– When McKinley extended his arm to shake his hand, the man shot 2 times. – 8 days later, McKinley died

The Progressive Presidents • Theodore Roosevelt: – Vice President came president – Youngest president yet (age 42) – Strong supporter of Progressive goals – Came from a wealthy NY family – Elected to NY state legislature at age 23 – Later, served on Civil Service Commission

The Progressive Presidents • Theodore Roosevelt: – Served as assistant secretary of the navy – Led troops in the war against Spain – Elected governor of NY – Chosen to be McKinley’s VP two years later

TR and Big Business • Trustbuster reputation – A person working to destroy monopolies and trusts • He was not against big business, he was just seeing the difference between “good” and “bad” trusts • In 1902, brought lawsuit against Northern Securities Company – By 1904, Supreme Court decided NSC violated the Sherman Antitrust Act and the trust must be broken up

Organized Labor • Roosevelt also did not see eye to eye with mine owners • Miners went on strike for better pay and shorter workdays.

– Mine owners refused to negotiate • Roosevelt threatened to send in troops to run mines

Roosevelt was the first president to side with strikers

Monday, April 7, 2014 • Homework: – Complete classwork – Sign & return chapter 18 tests • Do Now: Open to your notes from Friday and be ready to continue

The Square Deal • Roosevelt ran again in 1904 • During the campaign, he promised a Square Deal – Meaning that everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed – This promise helped get Roosevelt a victory

Conserving Natural Resources • Because of high demand, lumber companies were cutting down entire forests and miners were removing iron and coal at a fast pace.

• Roosevelt felt resources must be used wisely – He urged lumber companies to plant new trees in the forests they had cleared (US Forest Service was formed in 1905)

Conserving Natural Resources “I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.” Page 651 in textbook

“Citizenship in a Republic” • What imagery is used?

• What is the message he wants to get across? • How does this speech relate to conservation?

– “There can be no greater issue that that of conservation in this country.” – “The conservation of natural resources Is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem it will avail us little to solve others” – “The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method.”

Your Task: • What does each quote mean? Do you agree or disagree with Roosevelt? Explain why or why not.

William Howard Taft • Roosevelt chose not to run for reelection • He did however back up his secretary of war: William Taft • Taft took a different approach to his presidency – He was quiet and cautious – He was very wary of the power he could have as president

Taft • Supported Progressive causes – Broke up more trusts – Favored graduated tax – Approved new safety rules for mines – Created 8 hour workdays – Oversaw creation of regulations for child labor Despite his efforts, Taft lost Progressive support. They felt he was blocking conservation efforts.

Election of 1912 • Roosevelt did not support Taft anymore • Even though he ran against Taft for the Republican nomination, Taft still gained support • Roosevelt set up a new party to run for: Progressive Party

Election of 1912 • Democrats nominate Woodrow Wilson, who was also a Progressive • He was known for being rigid and unwilling to compromise • However, because Roosevelt and Taft had a split vote, Wilson won

Woodrow Wilson • Wanted to restore free competition among American corporations – Called his program “New Freedom” • Created Fair Trade Commission (FTC) • Signed Clayton Antitrust Act in 1914 – Banned some practices that limited competition • Regulated banking by passing Federal Reserve Act – Set up a system of federal banks giving the power to raise and lower interest rates