Origins of Progressivism

Chapter 11.1

pp. 382-387

Roots of 20th Century Reform• Arose in cities in the northeast, midwest, and west coast

• Why in the cities?

Roots in other movements: Populism Nativism, Prohibition &purity crusades Electoral reform & ending political corruption 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

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

Goals and Beliefs1. Gov’t should be more accountable to its citizens

2. Gov’t should curb the power and influence of wealthy interests

3. Gov’t should be given expanded powers so that it could become more active in improving the lives of its citizens

4. Gov’t should become more efficient and less corrupt so that they can handle an expanded role

*These goals are listed on the bottom of p. 383

Henry GeorgeEarly 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

Edward BellamyReformer

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

Muckrakers“Muckrakers”—term coined by President

Roosevelt

Muckrakes were 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

SocialistsFavors 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

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

Women & the Progressive EraNew 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

Florence KelleyShe 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

Mother JonesHer 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

Finally…The Progressives wanted gov’t involvement in

people’s lives

But those who should have wanted the help resisted the mostEx. Poor families could not survive without child’s

wages, but they wanted to limit child labor!

Progressive Legislation

Chapter 11.2

pp. 389-395

Triangle Fire in NYC, 1911What happened?

Why was this tragedy so important?

Robert La Follette Governor of Wisconsin

from 1901-1906

U.S. Senator from 1906-1925

“Fighting Bob”

What were his causes?

John Muir Naturalist, author,

preservationist

Sierra Club

Yosemite Valley & Sequoia National Park

Preservation vs. Conservation?????

Qs#1) Summarize the Progressives’ views on

regulating business.

#2) Give examples of government reforms and social welfare programs at the municipal and state levels during the Progressive Era.

#3) Describe the effect of each of these on reforms:A) home ruleB) direct primaryC) initiative

Amendments16th

17th

18th

19th

What were they, what did they do?