Origins of Progressivism

1. Origins of Progressivism Chapter 11.1 pp. 382-387

2. Chapter 11.1 • Complete the chart on top of p. 382

4. Roots of 20th Century Reform • Arose incities in the northeast, midwest, and west coast • Why in the cities? • Roots in other movements: • Populism, nativism, prohibition, purity crusades, electoral reform, charity reform, and more • Reacting to rapid industrialization, immigration, & urbanization • Workers had suffered • Laissez-faire policies • Charity could not do enough to fix problems • Government needed to step in • 1890-1920 is the Progressive Era

6. *”New Immigrants”—Originated from southern & eastern Europe; esp. Russia, Austria, & Italy

7. Goals and Beliefs • 1. Gov’tshould be more accountable to its citizens • 2. Gov’tshould curb the power and influence of wealthy interests • 3. Gov’tshould be given expanded powers so that it could become more active in improving the lives of its citizens • 4. Gov’tshould become more efficient and less corrupt so that they can handle an expanded role • *These goals are listed on the bottom of p. 383

8. Henry George • Early reformer • Journalist • Said poverty arose because some people bought and held on to land until its price went up (speculation) • George said to tax the land, even if holding on to it • Single tax clubs sprang up all over

9. Edward Bellamy • Reformer • Newspaper editor • Published “Looking Backward” • A Boston man underwent hypnosis & woke up in 2000 (written in 1887) • Bestseller • All wrongs of labor were gone! • Many clubs arose preaching his views

10. Muckrakers • “Muckrakers”—term coined by President Roosevelt • Muckrakes is used to clean manure & hay out of stables • The writers pointed out corruption, wrongdoing • Upton Sinclair, The Jungle • Lincoln Steffens, The Shame of the Cities • Ida Tarbell, she revealed the abuses committed by the Standard Oil Trust

11. Socialists • Favors public or gov’t control of property and income • Wanted to end capitalism, and have equal distribution of wealth • 1901: Socialist Party of America was formed • By 1912 they had 1,000 city gov’t offices controlled

12. But remember… • Progressives did not want major change! • Wanted high standard of living • They enjoyed democracy & free enterprise • Wanted personal liberties protected • They wanted to eliminate corruption in gov’t so that they could actually help those in need

13. Women & the Progressive Era • New level of activism • Social clubs transformed into reform clubs • Remember, women could not yet vote • “In a crowded city quarter, however, if the street is not cleaned by the city authorities no amount of private sweeping will keep the tenement free from grime; if the garbage is not properly collected and destroyed a tenement house mother may see her children sick and die of diseases.” • --Jane Addams, 1910

14. Florence Kelley • She was instrumental in: • Started working w/ Jane Addams @ Hull House in 1891 • Passing laws on child labor • Limiting working hours for women • Regulating sweatshop conditions • Went on to other higher jobs in gov’t

15. Mother Jones • Her husband was an iron worker; he & her 4 children died in a yellow fever epidemic • Called on the Knights of Labor for help • Wanted to improve working conditions • Organized workers’ unions • Miners in WV and CO • Helped found IWW in 1905

16. Finally… • The Progressives wanted gov’t involvement in people’s lives • But those who should have wanted the help resisted the most • Ex. Poor families could not survive without child’s wages, but they wanted to limit child labor!