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Progressive Era

Progressive Era. 1890/95-1920 1900-1917. Introduction. A middle-class movement-mostly urban, white, native-born and white-collar professionals Some upper class-business leaders who were committed to social justice Response to challenges of industrialization, urbanization and immigration.

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Progressive Era

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  1. Progressive Era 1890/95-1920 1900-1917

  2. Introduction • A middle-class movement-mostly urban, white, native-born and white-collar professionals • Some upper class-business leaders who were committed to social justice • Response to challenges of industrialization, urbanization and immigration

  3. Beliefs/Issues • New ideas and honest, efficient govt. can bring about social justice; get rid of corrupt govt. officials/organizations and make govt. responsive to the people’s needs • Industrialization and urbanization have created troubling problems-wretched living conditions, harsh conditions for laborers • Eliminate the abuses of big business; create opportunities for small businesses • Reduce the gap between rich and poor (enter Socialist party)

  4. Socialism • Socialists wanted a complete change of the system, not merely reform, but, socialism and progressivism did overlap on some issues • Socialist Eugene V. Debs won 400,000 votes in 1904 and nearly a million in 1912 as presidential candidate • U. Sinclair was a Socialist

  5. Muckrakers/Literature • Sensational investigative reporters/stories • Published in magazines like McClure’s books (1893) • S.S. McClure-magazine that exposed Tammany Hall/Boss Tweed (controlled NYC politics and helped immigrants) (Thomas Nast-”The Vulture” • Jacob Riis, “How the other half lives”-about NYC tenements • Lincoln Steffens-”The Shame of the Cities”-1904; exposed corruption of boss politics • Ida Tarbell-”History of the Standard Oil Company”-1904; ruthless practices of monopoly • Upton Sinclair-”The Jungle”-1906-industry conditions in Chicago’s meatpacking industry • Naturalist novels portraying human misery and struggles of the common people also became popular

  6. Municipal Level Reform • Reforms begin in the cities, work to eliminate the corruption of machine politics • In the 1890s, many bosses were replaced with city managers or other forms of expert govt. • Worked to regulate urban utilities; some even advocated public ownership • 1900-a massive hurricane hit Galveston, TX.; left it in ruins-killed more than 8000; as an emergency measure, Galveston replaced its mayor with a 5-person commission (5 people=legislative body) • Commission form of govt.-proved efficient through rebuilding effort; many adopt it

  7. Electoral Reform • Robert M. Lafollette: direct primary-citizens themselves vote to select nominees for upcoming elections • 17th amendment (1913)-direct election of senators • Initiative-gave people the power to put a proposed new law on the ballot; voters could pass laws • Referendum-allow citizens to approve or reject laws passed by a legislature • Recall-voters the power to remove public servants from office before their terms end • By and large, these reforms failed to oust party bosses and special interest who learned to control the new mechanisms

  8. Labor Reform • Early 1900s-U.S. had the highest rate of industrial accidents (long hours, poor ventilation, fumes, unsafe machinery, etc.) • Early year some 30,000 workers died on the job; another half a million were injured • Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (March 1911)-NYC, kills 146, many young women, little chance of escaping as managers had locked most of the exits; many jump in desparation • Leads to workplace safety laws and workers compensation laws • Many attempts to limit workday (to 10 hours), especially with women • Child labor reform-min. age for employment (12-16) and max. hours (10); Keating-Owens Act-bans child labor, but 2 years later will be ruled unconstituional • Not until 1938 that child labor will be banned for good

  9. Social Reform-Assistance • Social Gospel-follow the Bible’s teachings-about charity and justice, people could make society “the kingdom of God” • Est. of settlement houses-community centers that provided social services to the urban poor (gave working mothers classes in day care, taught English to immigrants, etc.) • Jane Addams-Hull House-in Chicago, grew to 13 buildings and inspired other college-educated, middle-class women to become social workers

  10. Social Reform-Education • A number of states passed laws requiring a child attend school until a certain age • John Dewey-criticized schools for teaching memorization, encouraged creative thought and also wanted schools to teach practical subjects/skills

  11. Social Reform-Morals • Several states set up censorship boards to control movies • Prostitution-Red-light districts like New Orleans “Storyville” were shut down • 1910-legislation passed to make it illegal to transport a woman across state lines for “immoral purposes” • Theda Bara (1885-1955)-the original vamp (sex symbol); sensuality in movies deeply troubled moral reformers

  12. Social Reform-Prohibition • The temperance movement was one of the oldest and strongest reform movements • By 1900, 25% of Americans lived in “dry” counties or states, but, total per capita alcohol consumption was on the rise • Protestant rural native born reformers vs. Catholic urban immigrants • 18th amendment (1919)-prohibition-outlawed manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages

  13. Social Reform-Women • Education helped women achieve their goals • Worked in prohibition movement • Some women worked against sweatshops, fought for min. wage, 8-hr. workdays and children’s rights • Boldest goal=suffrage; wanted to make sure govt. protected their children, fostered education and supported family life • Suffrage leaders: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton • 19th amendment (1920)-cannot deny right to vote based on gender

  14. Struggle vs. Discrimination • Booker T. vs. W.E.B. DuBois • Niagara Movement-group met at Niagara Falls, expressed DuBois’ ideas, never grew large enough, needed a more powerful voice • NAACP-formed in response to a riot; to protect lives, secure the right to vote and civil rights • Anti-Defamation League-goal to defend Jews and others vs. physical and verbal attacks, vs. false statements, and to secure justice and fair treatment for all

  15. Immigration Issue • Some believed only fewer and “better” immigrants could reduce the social problems of the city • Immigration restriction league-1894-founded to oppose the “new” immigrants • Some restriction already (Chinese Exclusion Act), but much more will follow WWI

  16. The Presidents • Theodore Roosevelt-1901-1909 • William Howard Taft-1909-1913 • Woodrow Wilson-1913-1921

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