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Creation of the Department of Commerce and Labor
This department’s goal was to break up large trusts. The department would either investigate the companies and publicize the results, or talk with the company first and quietly ask for changes. Roosevelt valued this department because it was efficient, a progressive value, and effective. -
Publication of “The Jungle”
This was a book published by a journalist who made it his goal to share with the country the terrible conditions within factories and urban areas. This book spiked conversations amongst progressives further supporting their cause for reform. This book also helped lead to actual reform in legislation. -
Meat Inspection Act
After the publication of “The Jungle” the president and government officials were brought aware of the unsanitary conditions within the meat industry. Roosevelt created the act to bring regulations and cleanliness to the meat industry. Progressives found this to be very important because they value better living and working conditions, and this will improve lives for many. -
Bureau of Mines
Put in place by president Howard Taft, this act was created to monitor mining activities, protect national forests, and protect water. As a progressive Taft was very passionate about protecting the environment. Conservation was a big thing because progressives wanted to preserve nature’s resources and beauty for generations to come. -
Children’s Bureau
Established by president Howard Taft, this bureau worked to investigate child labor issues. A goal of the progressives was to change child labor conditions, and the bureau helped do this. The bureau also publicized any child labor issues that were discovered. -
The Square Deal
President Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to social problems facing the country. This involved Roosevelt’s ideas on social problems such as labor problems. Roosevelt was a progressive and he valued handling things efficiently which is why he also came up with the “three c’s” to address these problems. -
Ratification of the 16th Amendment
The 16th amendment was important to the progressive movement because it was an effort to make the concept of income tax more fair. This amendment meant that all income tax, regardless of source, would be taxed. Before this amendment, the working class citizens were the ones being primarily taxed, not the rich, but with the amendment that was not the case anymore. -
Ratification of the 17th Amendment
This amendment called for voters to elect their state senators. This amendment was of great importance to progressives because it would help reduce corruption in the government. Before this amendment, state legislatures got to chose their states senators, not the people. Progressives wanted to make citizens voices heard. -
Ratification of the 18th Amendment
This amendment prohibited the production, selling and transportation of alcohol. At the time progressives believed that if there was no alcohol, alcohol related crimes like domestic violence would go down. Progressives were trying to make homes safer for women and children of men who drank. -
Ratification of the 19th Amendment
This amendment granted women the right to vote. Progressives found women’s right to vote very important because equality was a foundational belief of progressives. This amendment did not pass easily and took many years of protesting to be passed.