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The Progressive Era, 1901-1917

The Progressive Era, 1901-1917. The Progressive Movement: Definition and Character. Goals Political - Revitalize American Democracy Make government responsive to people not special interests or bosses Economic - Restore equity and opportunity to American capitalism

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The Progressive Era, 1901-1917

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  1. The Progressive Era, 1901-1917

  2. The Progressive Movement: Definition and Character • Goals • Political - Revitalize American Democracy • Make government responsive to people not special interests or bosses • Economic - Restore equity and opportunity to American capitalism • Social - Provide social justice to the poor • Progressive Philosophy • Did not believe in radical change (socialism) • But wanted fair competition and worker regulation • Operated on all levels of government • Included both democrats and republicans.

  3. Composition • Middle Class White Americans • Farmers and Small Businessmen • Social Reformers • Professors & Lawyers • Not included: Racial Minorities, new immigrants, Labor Unions

  4. Middle Class White Americans • Wanted to restore honesty and integrity to government • They wanted to end corruption at all levels. • Elimination of political machines • Institute civil service reforms • End special interest lobbyist in legislative bodies

  5. Farmers and Small Business • People who wanted to use the government to regulate the abuses of corporations and trusts • Wanted trusts eliminated • Wanted government controlled railroads rates and banks • Currency reform • Had some success – but not enforced • Republicans embraced laissez-faire economics • Interstate Commerce Act • Sherman Anti-Trust Act

  6. Social Reformers • Government should alleviate social problems • Slums and tenements • Unsafe working conditions & child labor • Treatment of new immigrants • Some small scale success • Jane Addams (Hull House – Chicago)

  7. Included Professors, Lawyers and Social Gospel Advocates • The industrial revolution brought on the need for corporate lawyers • Law was once a respected profession • Paid well to defend the interests of their company • Lawyers felt they were losing there identity • Intellectuals • Use University professors to make the society more efficient • Wealthy men – donate to Universities • in return - donor had expectations for curriculum • Many intellectuals were concerned about this

  8. What Really Got Progressivism Moving? • Teddy Roosevelt’s Assumption of the Presidency in 1901 • William McKinley is assassinated in Sept. 1901 • Youngest president at 43 years old • Gradually provided a national focus on Progressivism • Rise of the ‘ Muckrakers”

  9. Muckrakers • “Investigative journalism” • Sensationalized Exposes on corporation corruption • Raised awareness • Magazines – McClure’s, Cosmopolitan • Ida Tarbell (1902) does and expose in McClure’s on Standard Oil • Illegal Monopoly • Novels • The Octopus by Frank Norris • The Jungle by Upton Sinclair • How the Other Half Lives - Jacob Riis • The Muckrakers formula is… • Uncover a scandal • Attack it using facts to back up arguments • Has a tremendous impact on readers

  10. Achievements of Progressivism • Many political machines are overthrown • The Shame of the Cities – Lincoln Steffens – said political machines serve their own interests and that of corporations, not the people • Thomas Nast • Leader of Progressive reform is Wisconsin 1900-01 – Robert LaFollette • Reduce gov’t corruption: Institutes the referendum, recall, primaries • Corrupt political practices acts passed – controls on campaign spending and lobbying • The universities must aid the state economists - come up with an effective tax system, highway system. • Child Labor Laws (one of the first states) • Building codes & controlled hours

  11. Thomas Nast & Harper’s Weekly

  12. Amendments to the Constitution • The 16th Amendment – 1913 • Constitutional for the government to impose a personal income tax. • The 17th Amendment – 1913 • Senators must be directly elected in a popular election. • The 18th Amendment – Jan 1919 • Prohibition – Illegal to buy, sell or distribute hard spirits in the US. • The 19th Amendment – 1920 • Prohibited states from denying women the right to vote. • Women did vote in certain states prior to this (In NJ in the late 1700s for a short time. • Also, some western states allowed women to vote)

  13. Contradictions of Progressivism • Generally oppose political and social equality for racial minorities and recent immigrants • Many Progressives Oppose Women’s Suffrage • Woodrow Wilson was one of these guys. He felt it was a state, not a national issue. • Many Progressives Oppose National Labor Unions • Concerned about the plight of the working man, but at the same time opposed unions • Fear of Marxism – union leadership advocated changes that were too radical • Fear of radical uprisings • Many Progressives Support Tighter Immigration Restrictions

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