CH 16-18 Gilded Era Issues & Progressive Era Reforms

1. CH 16-18 Gilded Era Issues & Progressive Era Reforms

2. Living Conditions • When workers weren’t working they often lived in tenements, run-down apartment buildings. • Since workers were so poor families would cram into apartments together were people would often “cook, eat, & sleep in the same room) • Disease & crime were common, and fire was always a danger

3. The Rise of Cities (Urbanization) • By 1890 the US Census Bureau called the West “closed”, by 1900 there were 45 states, and people stopped heading West. • People now took to the cities for new opportunities (where the factories were). • The Industrial Revolution had lead to an increased number of factories. • US Factories produced $2 Billion in 1865, and by 1900 produced $13 Billion making it the largest economy in the World

4. In 1800 only 6% of Americans lived in cities, by 1900 nearly 40% lived in cities • Between 1870 & 1900 12 Million Immigrants would move to the USA, many of whom made up the US workforce • 1910-1960: Great Migration- About 6 Million blacks will move from the South to NE Cities, Midwest, & West

5. Living Conditions • Many workers lived in Slum Tenements. • Shoddy, cramped apartments, with multiple families living in the same space • NYC- 90,000 /sq mi (PSL 2,056/sqmi [2009]) • Infrastructure in many of these large cities was inadequate • Sewage problems, no indoor plumbing, lack of clean water, power outages, fire traps, disease, unpaved roads, etc

6. Environmental Issues • Before the Industrial Revolution natural resources in the US had been used only minimally • The Boom would cause mineral deposits, forests, animals to be used a drastically new way • The US experienced water & air pollution problems for the first time in their history

7. Political Machines • Full-time politicians whose main goal was to get & keep political power, and the money & influence that went with it • “Machines” were groups associated with political parties who sought to limit competition & guarantee power • Ward & Precinct Bosses would find the poor, sick, & needy and help them on the condition that when it came time to vote that they vote the right way.

8. Tammany Hall • Run by William “Boss” Tweed • Cheated NYC out of an estimated $200 Million • Horrible for the political system, but acted as a social welfare next for the poor who needed it the most

9. Progressive Era 1890-1920s • The boom of society leading up to and into the 1900s created many social problems. • The effort to fix them would be taken up by progressives, who became activists, and the time period known as Progressive Era.

10. Social Gospel • Progressives were influenced by two movements: • Populism • Social Gospel: Religious Movement. Social Reform and Christianity should go hand in hand. Applied Christian beliefs to social and economic problems.

11. Muckrakers • Writers who investigated and published truthful reports, and performed an auditing or watchdog function. • Often given months or a year to investigate & develop their stories. • Yellow Journalism: publishers sought to increase news paper circulation through scandal, war, gossip, etc • Upton Sinclair: (The Jungle) wrote of unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry. Would help lead to the Food & Drug Administration

12. Ida Tarbell: (The History of the Standard Oil Company) Depicted Rockefeller/Standard Oil as a cheap, money-grabbing, and viciously effective at monopolizing the oil trade • Nellie Bly: (Ten Days In The Mad-House) reported on abuse of mental patients • Lincoln Steffens: (The Shame of Cities) reported on early corruption of city politics

13. Improvements • Housing • Tenement Housing Act 1901: (NY) Mandated a central court yard, windows, & ventilation in housing. [Jacob Riis] • Child Labor • National Child Labor Committee:passed child labor laws stopping those under 14 from working & limited hours • Hull House: (Jane Addams) advocated for the better living conditions of immigrants in Chicago. Also provided basic services- education.

14. Work Place Safety • Working hours for Woman restricted • Workers’ Compensation Laws: 2/3 of states passed laws saying if workers were hurt at work they received some wages • Political Reform (SenatorRobert La Follette- WI) • Secret Ballot: Didn’t know who you voted for • Introduction of Primary Elections • Introduction of Recalls (bad leaders were removed) • Direct Initiative: Voters could propose and pass laws without legislative involvement

15. Women’s Right to Vote • First demanded right to vote in 1848 • 1890 formed National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)to help push for Women’s right to vote • By 1898 four states had approved Women’s suffrage • By 1918 fifteen states approved suffrage • By 1920 it was it was added to the constitution as the 19th Amendment

16. Black equality • Booker T Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute, a vocational school for Blacks in Alabama • Advocated for the slow integration of Blacks into society • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) fought for the end of segregation through the courts • W.E.B Du Bois (founding member of the NAACP) • Advocated for the immediate and unconditional integration of Blacks into society

17. Three Progressive Presidents • Theodore Roosevelt • Fought against monopolies, trust, and other big industry • Believed in a Square Deal, that workers, businessmen, and consumers should get fair and honest treatment • Started the National Park System

18. William Howard Taft • Continued to limit big corporations • Added land to the National Park System • Raised Tariffs (Anti-Trust Move) • Woodrow Wilson • New Freedom: wanted to eliminate all trusts because he believed it denied economic freedom to small businesses and consumers • Had reform laws passed on banking and tariffs • Gave a greater voice to the common citizen

19. FLORIDA!!!!!! • There are a bunch of random Florida People and concepts you need to know according to the EOC because well…. You live in Florida. • Please refer to the hand out.