Do-Now:Do-Now:Yesterday we looked at the financial crisis and “Bail Out” proposal… many believe that for progress to be made, reforms are needed to better regulate the American economic system.

BRAINSTORM:BRAINSTORM:Define “Progress”How do you know if you’re making progress? What about at school? Soccer? Singing?Select one societal problem that means something to you. Social security? Health care? Education? Poverty? If you were recently elected to office, how would you help create “progress” in this area?

Agenda:Agenda:Do nowDo now

Talk about tests Talk about tests

Check / Discuss HW Check / Discuss HW

Discussion on Modern Discussion on Modern Progressive ReformsProgressive Reforms

Notes on ProgressivismNotes on Progressivism

September 30, September 30, 20082008

Objectives:Objectives:To become familiar with progressivism and the beginnings of the progressive era.

Make predictions:Make predictions:– Explain (1-to-2 paragraphs) how do you think Explain (1-to-2 paragraphs) how do you think the current financial crisis will shape the the current financial crisis will shape the upcoming presidency?upcoming presidency?

Create a T-Chart comparing:Create a T-Chart comparing:– What are the pros of having the government What are the pros of having the government highly-involved in regulating our economy?highly-involved in regulating our economy?

– What are the cons / dangers of ‘too much’ What are the cons / dangers of ‘too much’ government involvement?government involvement?

Formulate opinions:Formulate opinions:– What role do you believe the government should What role do you believe the government should have in America’s capitalist economy?have in America’s capitalist economy?

– NEED HELP: Use the provided article, check the NEED HELP: Use the provided article, check the news, ‘interview’ your parents, friends, bus news, ‘interview’ your parents, friends, bus driver, whom ever… Do you agree with their driver, whom ever… Do you agree with their opinions on the matter?opinions on the matter?

Yesterday’s AssignmentYesterday’s AssignmentThink & Free-WriteThink & Free-Write

The The Progressive Progressive

EraEraApproximately 1890-1920Approximately 1890-1920

What is Progressivism?What is Progressivism?

Goals of the Progressive EraGoals of the Progressive Era

What is Progressivism?What is Progressivism?

Progressivism is the reform Progressivism is the reform movement concerned with movement concerned with curing the ills of society caused curing the ills of society caused by industrializationby industrialization– Focused on Urban problems (in contrast to the Focused on Urban problems (in contrast to the

Populist Movement which focused on rural Populist Movement which focused on rural problems)problems)

Roots of Reform Roots of Reform “The Ills of Society”“The Ills of Society”

Increasing gap between rich and poorIncreasing gap between rich and poor Outgrowth of earlier reform movementsOutgrowth of earlier reform movements

– PopulistsPopulists Nativism, prohibition, settlement houses, Nativism, prohibition, settlement houses,

social gospel philosophy, charitiessocial gospel philosophy, charities Reaction to the effects of rapid Reaction to the effects of rapid

urbanization, industrialization & urbanization, industrialization & immigrationimmigration– Unsafe working conditionsUnsafe working conditions– Overcrowded citiesOvercrowded cities– Corrupt political machinesCorrupt political machines

Goals of the Progressive Goals of the Progressive EraEra

Government should be more Government should be more accountable to its citizensaccountable to its citizens– More democratic government –> More democratic government –>

Election reformsElection reforms

Government should curb the power Government should curb the power and influence of wealthy interestsand influence of wealthy interests– Check on corporate power –> Check on corporate power –>

Legislation to prohibit monopoliesLegislation to prohibit monopolies

Goals of the Progressive Goals of the Progressive EraEra

Government should become:Government should become:– More efficientMore efficient– Less corruptLess corrupt

Government should be given Government should be given expanded powers so that it could expanded powers so that it could become more activebecome more active– Solutions to social problems - Federal Solutions to social problems - Federal

graduated income tax; 8 hr. workday, graduated income tax; 8 hr. workday, min. wages, safe working conditionsmin. wages, safe working conditions

““Now, it is very necessary that we should Now, it is very necessary that we should not flinch from seeing what is vile and not flinch from seeing what is vile and debasing. There is filth on the floor and debasing. There is filth on the floor and it must be scraped up with the muck-it must be scraped up with the muck-rake; and there are times and places rake; and there are times and places where this service is the most needed of where this service is the most needed of all the services that can be performed. all the services that can be performed. But the man who never does anything But the man who never does anything else, who never thinks or speaks or else, who never thinks or speaks or writes, save of his feats with the muck-writes, save of his feats with the muck-rake, speedily becomes, not a help to rake, speedily becomes, not a help to society, not an incitement to good, but society, not an incitement to good, but one of the most potent forces for evil.”one of the most potent forces for evil.”

-T. Roosevelt-T. Roosevelt

It’s a Jungle Out It’s a Jungle Out therethere

Muckraker: A group of writers & journalists (middle class) who contributed to Progressivism; exposed political & social evils; inspired Americans to take action & join reform groups.

Key Writers, the Key Writers, the “Muckrakers”“Muckrakers”

Henry George Henry George – Progress and PovertyProgress and Poverty

Uptown Sinclair Uptown Sinclair – The JungleThe Jungle

Ida Tarbell Ida Tarbell – The History of the Standard Oil Co.The History of the Standard Oil Co.

Lincoln Steffens Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of the CitiesThe Shame of the Cities

Henry GeorgeHenry George Progress and PovertyProgress and Poverty

Why should an advanced society be Why should an advanced society be plagued by poverty?plagued by poverty?

Blamed: “Speculation”Blamed: “Speculation”– Buying real estate as an investment, Buying real estate as an investment,

prevents productive use of landprevents productive use of land Proposed: “single tax” on landProposed: “single tax” on land

– The gov’t could tax the value of the land The gov’t could tax the value of the land itself, whereas before they taxed the itself, whereas before they taxed the useuse of landof land

Key Leaders & GroupsKey Leaders & Groups

UnionsUnions SocialistsSocialists National Consumer’s LeagueNational Consumer’s League Florence KelleyFlorence Kelley Mary Harris JonesMary Harris Jones

Example of the Work of Example of the Work of ProgressivesProgressives

ProblemProblem– In 1900, the In 1900, the

average laborer average laborer worked 10 hours a worked 10 hours a day, 6 days a week day, 6 days a week for only $1.50 a for only $1.50 a day.day. Women and children Women and children

were paid even less.were paid even less.

Response of Response of ProgressivesProgressives– Florence Kelley: helped Florence Kelley: helped

organize National Child organize National Child Labor CommitteeLabor Committee

– NCLC helped 39 states NCLC helped 39 states pass child labor lawspass child labor laws

– Progressives lobbied for Progressives lobbied for Laws limiting hoursLaws limiting hours Higher wagesHigher wages Improvement in Improvement in

workplace safetyworkplace safety

*The turning point would be NYC’s Triangle Shirtwaist Co. fire