Progressivism

1. Progressivism

2. Why does it matter? • Immigration, industrialism and urbanization wee beneficial to Americans but also brought many problems. • Progressivism was the response. • They believed new ideas, honest, efficient government would bring about social justice. • They brought about lasting reforms that still affect us today.

3. Similar to Populist Movement • Both wanted to get rid of corrupt government and make government more responsive to the people. • Both wanted to eliminate the abuses of big businesses • But Progressives were more middle class and felt that highly educated leaders would improve society. • Populists were made up of farmers and laborers.

4. Problems • Industrial Hazards • Corrupt governments • No right to vote for women • Poor living conditions • Monopolies • Growing gap between rich and poor.

5. Muckrakers • Journalist who wrote about the corrupt side of business and public life in mass circulation magazines. • Theodore Roosevelt called these writers muckrakers because a muckrake is used to clean manure and hay out of animals stables.

6. Famous Muckrakers • Upton Sinclair • The Jungle • Exposed the meat packing industry • Led to reforms such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act

7. Famous Muckrakers • Ida M Tarbell • In the History of Standard Oil • Exposed the ruthless methods used by John D Rockefeller to ruin his competitors, charge higher prices and therefore reap higher profits.

8. Progressives Reform Society • Settlement houses aid the the Urban Poor-Jane Addams and the Hull House • Protected Children and improved Education-Florence Kelly helped pass a law to ban child labor and helped to create the US children’s Bureau that helps protect children. • Helped industrial workers-US had the highest rate of industrial accidents in the world due to long hours, unsafe machinery, poor ventilation etc. • 30,000 workers died every year in the US

9. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory • March 1911-fire in a factory kill 146 workers mostly young women. • Could not escape fire because exits were blocked. • Attracted national attention because so many died. • Reforms: workday was limited, fire safety codes, worker’s compensation laws etc.

10. Government Reforms • Wanted to free government from political bosses and give people more control to the people. • 1900-Galveston Texas was hit my a massive hurricane which killed 8000 people and left city in ruins. • Replaced mayor with a 5 person commission to make rebuilding more efficient. • More cities followed and adopted this form of government.

11. Government Reform • 17th amendment: 1913 direct election of senators. This was a populist wish. • Progressive governors included Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson called for many progressive reforms.

12. Women and Progressivism • Women faced hardships if working outside of the home. Long hours, little pay and no influence on politicians • Changes in family life: main goal was to improve family life. One effort was the temperance movement which promoted to the practice of not drinking alcohol. (eventually this movement would lead to the 18th amendment of Prohibition) • Bith control-Margaret Sanger felt that family life would improve if women had a choice on how many children they had.

13. Women and Progressivism • Suffrage-the right to vote • 1890-Wyoming and Colorado allowed women to vote. • June 1919- 19th amendment passes. By 1920, enough states had ratified and it became official.