Chapter 9: The Progressive Era 1890-1920

Section 1: The Origins of Progressivism

I. The Origins of Progressivism A. Introduction

1. Progressivism. What is it?•a political movement which sought to improve daily life. •when? 1890-1920

2. The Progressive Movement began in cities because of industrialization. For example,

•urban and rural poverty and blight•child labor•immigration •political corruption•public health•poor working conditions•monopolies

Four Goals of Progressivism

Summery:

Economic ReformGoal:

Moral ReformGoal:

Industrial Reform (fostering

efficiency) Goal:

Social Welfare Reform

Goal:

Examples:

Examples:

Examples:

Examples:

Four Goals of Progressivism

Summery: Middle Class Reformers addressed

problems such as, unsafe working conditions, role

of corporations, and making government more

democratic.

Economic ReformGoal: To question the

uneven balance among big business, government, and

ordinary people under capitalism.

Moral ReformGoal: To uplift immigrants and the poor by improving personal behavior

Industrial Reform (fostering

efficiency) Goal: To improve society

through science/technology

Social Welfare Reform

Goal: To soften some of the harsh conditions of industrialization

Examples: SocialismEugene V. DebsMuckrakersIda M. Tarbell vs. Standard Oil

Examples: YMCASettlement HousesSalvation ArmyFlorence Kelly

Examples: ProhibitionWCTU/Francis WillardAnti-Saloon League

Examples:Brandeis BriefFrederick Winslow TaylorScientific ManagementHenry Ford

B. The Four Goals1. Social Welfare Reform.

• Goal: To soften some of the harsh conditions of industrialization

• How– Settlement Houses: Homes for the

homeless/immigrants/poor– YMCA: libraries and sports for poor– Salvation Army: Soup kitchens

Hull HouseHenry Street Settlement

Florence Kelly

(September 12, 1859 – February 17, 1932)

Fought against sweatshops and for the minimum wage, eight-hour workdays and children's rights.

2. Promoting Moral Improvement.• Goal: To uplift immigrants and the poor by

improving personal behavior• How?

– Prohibition: ban alcohol/ Carry Nation– WCTU: went into saloons and made scene– Kindergartens, visiting sick and prisons

(November 25, 1846 - June 9, 1911)

3. Creating Economic Reform. • Goal: To question the uneven balance among big

business, government, and ordinary people under capitalism.

• How?– Some people looked for a new economic systems.

– Socialism: Eugene V. Debs

» Said business had too much power

– Government can be trusted more than individuals

– Monopolies should be broken apart

(November 5, 1855 – October 20, 1926)

• Muckrakers: Journalists who wrote about corporate abuses

» Ida Tarbell: Wrote The History of the Standard Oil Company in 1904.

» Helped lead to the break up of Standard Oil.

(November 5, 1857 – January 6, 1944)

(July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937)

John D. Rockefeller

4. Industrial Reform (Foster Efficiency) • Goal: To improve society through

science/technology• How?

– Shortened hours, better conditions– Scientific Management

» Assembly lines» Not always better for workers

Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin

Modern Times (1936)

Cleaning Up Local

Government

Reforming Local Government

Reform Mayors

Topics: Topics:

Cleaning Up Local

GovernmentSummery: Cities were in trouble.

Poverty and political corruption were very

common.

Reforming Local Government

Reform Mayors

Topics: •Commission Government (Galveston, Texas)•Council-manager Government (Dayton, Ohio)

• People elected city council who in turn selected an Individual to “manage” the city.

Topics: •Hazen Pingree (Detroit)

• Fair taxes• Transportation• End corruption• Help the unemployed

•Tom Johnson (Cleveland)• Socialist• Took over utilities• Circus tent meetings

II. Government Reform

A. City Government

1. Too much corruption

2. Reform Mayor

a. Hazen Pingree: Detroit» Targeted corrupt utility companies, railroads

and construction.» Built schools and parks

Hazen Stuart Pingree (August 30, 1840 – June 18, 1901)

Statue of Pingree in Grand Circus Park, Detroit.

He gained national recognition through his "potato patch plan," a systematic use of vacant city land for gardens which would produce food for the city's poor.

II. Government Reform (cont.)

A. City Government (cont.)

1. Tom Johnson (Cleveland)– Socialist– Fired corrupt officials– Took over utility companies– Circus tent meetings

Reform at the State Level

Summery: Reform railroads, industry

and other large businesses

Protecting Working Children

Efforts to Limit Working Hours

Reforming Elections

Reform Governors

Direct Election of Senators

Reform at the State Level

Summery:

Protecting Working Children

Efforts to Limit Working Hours

Reforming Elections

Reform Governors

Direct Election of Senators

Topics: •Robert M. La Follette (Wisconsin)

• Railroad

Topics: •National Child Labor Committee•Keating-Owen Act, 1916

• Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional

Topics: •17th Amendment

Topics: •Muller v. Oregon, 1908•Bunting v. Oregon, 1917•Injury/death Benefits

Topics: •Secret Ballot•Initiative•Referendum•Recall

B. State Government1. Governor Robert Lafollette (Wisconsin)

• Targeted the RR. Why?

• To protect children– Too many children working

– Earning less pay

– Not going to school

– Victims of accidents

• What would that mean for future?

• Used photography to show horrors

• Led to the Keatings-Owen Act (1916): stopped transportation of goods produced by children across state lines.

(June 14, 1855– June 18, 1925)

C. Election Reforms– Promote Democracy and Citizen Action– Examples

• Initiative• Secrete ballot• Recall• Referendum• 17th Amendment: Direct election of

Senators

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