Reformers

1. Reformers Chapter 8, Section 2

2. Progressive Ideals • Desire to return to small town ideals • Rural people did not live in garbage or stagnant air and politicians were not corrupt. • Progressives, like Populists, feared the concentration of power in the hands of the wealthy. • Wanted reforms to protect public interest • Unlike populists, they relied on experts to analyze and create solutions to the problems they were facing.

3. Progressive Analysts • Intellectuals • Changes in education had much influence by creating areas of study that focused on human nature and society – Social Sciences • Lester Ward – professor who challenged social darwinism • Instead of the strong controlling everything; he argued that it was only natural for people to change their environment –laws, customs, etc. – for their own benefit.

4. Con’t • Shaping society was the job of the gov’t. • A larger role by gov’t would improve the social environment and provide options for people who needed a way out.

5. Muckrakers • Writers combined research skills, vivid writing and moral outrage • Attacked wealthy corporations who exploited children, corrupt police departments that protected prostitution rings, etc. • Ida Tarbell – wrote about Standard Oil • Upton Sinclair – The Jungle • aim was to awaken people to the growing social, economic and political evils in the US

6. Religious Reformers • Social gospel movement included Christians who felt the church should improve life on earth rather than just get people into heaven. • Walter Rauschenbusch – his church bordered Hell’s Kitchen, which suffered from unemployment, alcoholism and despair. • He blamed fierce competition for social problems

7. Progressive Activists • Many analysts attempted to solve the problems as well as identify them, but there was a group of people who worked to actively get rid of the problems • Florence Kelly brought many concerns to life – child exploitation • Helped the NCL organize consumer boycotts of goods manufactured by children or by workers working in unsanitary conditions.

8. National Consumer League • Members were upper and middle class women concerned about exploitation of children. • Many supported the work of settlement houses that provided education and social services to people – Hull House • Women also supported arts, education and community health clubs • All three – NCL, settlement houses, and women’s clubs show women taking a more active role in politics and gov’t.

9. African Americans • Racism heightened many problems • Ironically, more laws were passed to restrict African Americans during this time period that in any other. • Lynching was a huge concern • Ida Wells led a movement to stop lynching • Wrote articles, gave speeches, etc that shed light on black struggles.

10. Con’t • Racial oppression got so bad, blacks founded the NAACP in 1909 and the National Urban League in 1910 to help improve living conditions. • All this attention from various groups helped increase support for the progressives. • Set out to reform political structure, modify economic system and improve the moral climate.