Protective Legislation in

America is Inadequate

Citizenship: Introduction to Politics

About the Unit

•In the Introduction to Politics Unit we will be exploring the following questions:

•Why do we have a government?

•What are conservative politics?

•What are liberal politics?

Liberalism, Progressivism, and “The

Left”• Liberalism, Progressivism, or “Left-Wing” politics all

usually support a larger government trying to solve social and economic problems

• Liberalism - Political ideas based on liberty and equality. (Ex. Tax rich more to help support the poor)

• Progressivism - Political and economic ideas promoting progress. (Ex. Women’s pay is not equal to men, pass laws to forbid unequal pay based on gender)

• Left on the Political Spectrum - Political positions that are more “Liberal” or “Progressive.”

The Myth of Boundless

Opportunity... • The United States has always been defined as having “boundless opportunities,” but in reality those opportunities are distributed very unequally

• After many Americans moved west during the 1800’s the United States developed a reputation of having “boundless opportunities”

• By 1890 westward expansion in the United States slowed considerably, and the existence of poverty and a lack of opportunity became clear, especially women and children in American cities

• In response Jane Addams, a progressive social activist, established “Hull House” in Chicago to provide welfare services to the city’s poor people

• Addams believed that by channelling the energies of the poor into productive activity good habits would be learned and the costs of poverty, crime, and disease would be decreased

• She argued that the United States’ laws lagged behind other countries in terms of protecting women, children, and the poor

• Her work created the definition of the field “Social Work” as an activity concerned with creating positive changes in society through helping individuals

Hull House, Chicago1899

Jane AddamsHull House,

Chicago2010

After Jane Addams and Maria

Montessori • Addams work created the field of “Social Work” and helped cause the United States government to become more involved in solving social problems

• In 1912 the United States established the Children’s Bureau to implement child welfare programs

• In 1935 the United States creates the Social Security Administration which implements social insurance and welfare programs

• Maria Montessori’s educational methods were developed serving disabled and orphan children in Rome, Italy

• Disabled children, orphan children, or children of working-class parents often did not have access to education in Italy

• In order to develop her educational methods Montessori opened a school to serve these children

Maria Montessori Text

Summary• Liberalism, Progressivism, or “Left-Wing” politics all usually

support a larger government trying to solve social and economic problems

• Jane Addams and the founding of “Hull House” to support poor women and children is an example of liberal, progressive, or “left-wing” politics

• The creation of the United States Bureau of Children and the Social Security Administration are examples of liberal, progressive, or “left-wing” policy

• Maria Montessori’s founding of a school to serve disabled, orphan, or working-class children is an example of liberal, progressive, or “left-wing” policy