The Progressive MovementThe Progressive Movement

1880s – 1920s1880s – 1920s

Thinking Skill: Demonstrate an understanding of concepts

Objective: Determine who the Progressives were and what goals they hoped to achieve

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, 1911Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, 1911

ProgressivismProgressivismimplies a philosophy which welcomes implies a philosophy which welcomes innovations and reforms in the political, innovations and reforms in the political, economic and social order, usually to economic and social order, usually to alleviate the ills of society, to assure alleviate the ills of society, to assure people a broader control of their people a broader control of their governments and to afford greater governments and to afford greater economic, political and social justice to the economic, political and social justice to the people.people.

What were the Progressives’ What were the Progressives’ Primary Goals?Primary Goals?

Make government more Make government more democraticdemocraticEnd unhealthy and dangerous End unhealthy and dangerous conditions in cities and factoriesconditions in cities and factoriesLimit corporate powerLimit corporate powerEnforce new understanding of Enforce new understanding of moralitymorality

Goals of ProgressivesGoals of Progressives

(1) To decrease the role of special interest groups in government(1) To decrease the role of special interest groups in government(2) To make the government more honest and responsive to (2) To make the government more honest and responsive to citizen needs citizen needs (3) To increase popular participation in the American system.(3) To increase popular participation in the American system.(4) To create a more active, stronger role for the Federal (4) To create a more active, stronger role for the Federal government to protect the public interest.government to protect the public interest.(5) To get the government responsible for the social welfare of (5) To get the government responsible for the social welfare of its citizens (i.e., a rejection of social Darwinism).its citizens (i.e., a rejection of social Darwinism).b. Progressives or liberals were essentially conservative as far b. Progressives or liberals were essentially conservative as far as basic property rights and the fundamental capitalistic as basic property rights and the fundamental capitalistic structure was concerned. structure was concerned.

– Unfortunately, progressives could not agree what were the Unfortunately, progressives could not agree what were the causes of the ills of society and therefore they did not share causes of the ills of society and therefore they did not share many common goals. many common goals.

What were the Progressives’ What were the Progressives’ Solutions?Solutions?

No unified approach to solving society’s problemsNo unified approach to solving society’s problems

Stricter regulation of business/break up trustsStricter regulation of business/break up trusts

Humanitarian approachHumanitarian approach– Protect workers and the urban poorProtect workers and the urban poor

Reform structure of governmentReform structure of government– federal, state and city levelfederal, state and city level

Reform society’s morals/ethics/behaviorReform society’s morals/ethics/behavior– Create orderCreate order– Restrict immigrationRestrict immigration– End vices of the cityEnd vices of the city

End alcoholEnd alcohol

Who were the Progressives?Who were the Progressives?Variety of ReformersVariety of Reformers

IntellectualsIntellectuals challenged the ideology of challenged the ideology of businessbusiness

Writers and JournalistsWriters and Journalists wrote about the wrote about the conditions and effects of industrialization conditions and effects of industrialization and urbanization on peopleand urbanization on people

Inspired Inspired Middle ClassMiddle Class reformers seeking reformers seeking changechange

Formed Formed Interest GroupsInterest Groups to solve specific to solve specific problemsproblems

Approached reform utilizing Approached reform utilizing Scientific Scientific MethodsMethods

Why was the Progressive Movement Why was the Progressive Movement different than earlier movements?different than earlier movements?

ComplexityComplexity of Problems of Problems

Urgency Urgency

Moral CrusadeMoral Crusade

Optimistic and Emotional Optimistic and Emotional CauseCause

Rejected a laissez-faireRejected a laissez-faire

Govt. should be strongGovt. should be strong and cause change and cause change in order to protect the peoplein order to protect the people

New standards/ Scientific MethodNew standards/ Scientific Method

Roots of ProgressivismRoots of Progressivism

The rapid growth of Big Business by the end of The rapid growth of Big Business by the end of the 19th century coupled with the social the 19th century coupled with the social problems associated with too fast growth in problems associated with too fast growth in the cities led many Americans to attempt to the cities led many Americans to attempt to reform the American system in the face of reform the American system in the face of rising tensions within society as a result of rising tensions within society as a result of industrializationindustrializationa. They wanted to make it more equitable a. They wanted to make it more equitable and more humanitarianand more humanitarianb. They did not want to radically alter it the b. They did not want to radically alter it the system but expand participation in it. system but expand participation in it.

How were the Progressives and How were the Progressives and Populists Different?Populists Different?

PopulistsPopulists– Rural movementRural movement– Led by Farmers Led by Farmers – Lower classLower class– Considered radical or Considered radical or

revolutionaryrevolutionary– Short-lived and not Short-lived and not

very successfulvery successful– Only change at local Only change at local

levellevel

ProgressivesProgressives– Urban movementUrban movement– Led by IntellectualsLed by Intellectuals– Middle class Middle class – Sought to reform the Sought to reform the

system, not end it; system, not end it; popular movement popular movement

– Much more successful; Much more successful; lasted 40 yearslasted 40 years

– Change at local, state, Change at local, state, even national leveleven national level

– Presidential backingPresidential backing

The MuckrakersThe Muckrakers

Muckrakers were writers, journalists, and Muckrakers were writers, journalists, and photographers who published stories photographers who published stories aboutabout– municipal corruptionmunicipal corruption– corporate wrongdoingcorporate wrongdoing– reality of slum and factory lifereality of slum and factory life

Term Muckrakers coined by T. Roosevelt:Term Muckrakers coined by T. Roosevelt:– “ “Muckrakers wrote one sided, disparaging Muckrakers wrote one sided, disparaging

stories raking up the filth” stories raking up the filth”

Important MuckrakersImportant Muckrakers

Ida Tarbell’sIda Tarbell’s: “History of Standard Oil Company”: “History of Standard Oil Company”

Lincoln Steffen’sLincoln Steffen’s: “The Shame of the Cities”: “The Shame of the Cities”

Upton Sinclair’sUpton Sinclair’s: “The Jungle” (Food Industry): “The Jungle” (Food Industry)

Jacob RiisJacob Riis: “How the Other Half Lives”: “How the Other Half Lives”– Photographed aspects of urban life and Photographed aspects of urban life and

factoriesfactories

Major PublicationsMajor Publications: : – McClure’s (750,000 subscriptions)McClure’s (750,000 subscriptions)– Cosmopolitan (1 million subscribers) Cosmopolitan (1 million subscribers)

Jacob RiisJacob Riis

‘‘Bandit’s Roost’Bandit’s Roost’‘‘5 Cent Rooms’5 Cent Rooms’

Concerned Concerned

MuckrakerMuckraker

Are Images more Are Images more powerful than powerful than words?words?

Modern Day MuckrakersModern Day Muckrakers

Who are some Modern Day Muckrakers?Who are some Modern Day Muckrakers?What are some Modern Day Problems?What are some Modern Day Problems?In what ways are Muckrakers (positive and negative) for In what ways are Muckrakers (positive and negative) for society?society?

Michael Moore Michael Moore http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v==NKmLQxOcGVsNKmLQxOcGVs Morgan Sperlock Morgan Sperlock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z74og9HbTMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z74og9HbTMPlanned Parenthood exposePlanned Parenthood expose (Fox News) (Fox News)

If you could, what would you If you could, what would you reform? reform?

Think of 2 things on a local Think of 2 things on a local level and 2 on a national level and 2 on a national

level?level?

"I aimed at the "I aimed at the public's heart, public's heart,

and by accident and by accident I hit it in the I hit it in the stomach.”stomach.”

- Upton Sinclair- Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair and T.RUpton Sinclair and T.R

Dr. Harvey WileyDr. Harvey Wiley

Food and Drug ActFood and Drug Act

Meat Inspection ActMeat Inspection Act

Food Inc PromoFood Inc Promo

Food Inc on ABC newsFood Inc on ABC news

Meat Inspection Act-Meat Inspection Act- 1906 provided for inspection 1906 provided for inspection of meat packing plantsof meat packing plants

Pure Food and Drug ActPure Food and Drug Act -1906 - same day -1906 - same day(1) Unproven claims about a product could not he (1) Unproven claims about a product could not he made.made.(2) A list of ingredients had to be made available.(2) A list of ingredients had to be made available.(3) Prohibited adulterated or mislabeled foods and (3) Prohibited adulterated or mislabeled foods and drugs from interstate commerce but did not regulate drugs from interstate commerce but did not regulate intrastate food and drugs.intrastate food and drugs.

““Legislation may begin where Legislation may begin where an evil begins”an evil begins”

-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes

PoliticalPolitical

ProblemProblem: Political Reform, Govt. not accountable: Political Reform, Govt. not accountable

Initiative, Recall and ReferendumInitiative, Recall and ReferendumSecret BallotSecret BallotDirect PrimaryDirect Primary1717thth Amendment (direct election of senators) Amendment (direct election of senators)Reformer politicians Reformer politicians Gov. LaFollette and “Wisconsin Plan”Gov. LaFollette and “Wisconsin Plan”Oliver Wendell Holmes Oliver Wendell Holmes – Common LawCommon Law– ““Legislation may begin, where an evil begins”Legislation may begin, where an evil begins”

Making government more Making government more democratic and democratic and

responsive/accessible to citizensresponsive/accessible to citizens

Many progressives hoped to make government Many progressives hoped to make government in the U.S. more responsive to the direct voice of in the U.S. more responsive to the direct voice of the American people by instituting the following the American people by instituting the following institutional reforms: institutional reforms: InitiativeInitiative- - ReferendumReferendum RecallRecallSecret Ballot Secret Ballot Direct primaryDirect primaryDirect election of U.S. SenatorsDirect election of U.S. SenatorsWomen's SuffrageWomen's Suffrage--

EconomicEconomic

ProblemProblem: Corporate Regulation: Corporate Regulation

Government ownership of utilitiesGovernment ownership of utilities– Set ratesSet rates– Pro and ConPro and Con

Govt. regulation of R.R, Mines and TelephoneGovt. regulation of R.R, Mines and TelephoneNew laws and restrictions on businessesNew laws and restrictions on businesses– TaxesTaxes– Control Political PowerControl Political Power– Regulate RatesRegulate Rates– Inspectors and Health OfficialsInspectors and Health Officials– Food and Drug ActFood and Drug Act

Ida TarbellIda Tarbell– History of Standard OilHistory of Standard Oil

SocialSocial

ProblemProblem: Prostitution, Alcohol and Drug Use: Prostitution, Alcohol and Drug Use

Mann Act Mann Act (its ambiguous language of "immorality" allowed selective prosecutions for many years, and was used to (its ambiguous language of "immorality" allowed selective prosecutions for many years, and was used to

criminalize forms of consensual sexual behavior)criminalize forms of consensual sexual behavior) Women’s Christian Temperance MovementWomen’s Christian Temperance Movement– Carrie NationCarrie Nation

Anti-Saloon LeagueAnti-Saloon League1818thth Amendment AmendmentPure Food and Drug ActPure Food and Drug ActHague Opium Treaty and Harrison Narcotics ActHague Opium Treaty and Harrison Narcotics Act

Role of Govt. in ReformRole of Govt. in ReformGovt. more involved Govt. more involved in solving society’s in solving society’s problemsproblems

Govt. to protect Govt. to protect interest of people interest of people and respond to their and respond to their needsneeds

More participation More participation by people in govt.by people in govt.

Govt. Regulating Govt. Regulating businessbusiness

Reject Laissez-faire Reject Laissez-faire but not capitalismbut not capitalism

Govt. to enforce Govt. to enforce moral reformmoral reform

Progressive failure (or limited Progressive failure (or limited success?) -- Race Relations and success?) -- Race Relations and

Civil RightsCivil Rights– No significant steps were taken at this time to No significant steps were taken at this time to

challenge the South's Jim Crow system, solidly in challenge the South's Jim Crow system, solidly in place by 1900, which kept Blacks in a 2d class place by 1900, which kept Blacks in a 2d class citizen status until the 1960s.citizen status until the 1960s.

– a. No books like Helen Hunt's a. No books like Helen Hunt's Century of DishonorCentury of Dishonor challenged the American conscience toward the challenged the American conscience toward the plight of Southern Black citizens.plight of Southern Black citizens.(1) 90% of American Blacks lived in the rural South (1) 90% of American Blacks lived in the rural South during the Progressive Era.during the Progressive Era.(2) One out of seven farmers in the US in 1900 (2) One out of seven farmers in the US in 1900 was Black.was Black.

b. Although Roosevelt invited b. Although Roosevelt invited Booker T. Booker T. WashingtonWashington to the White House for dinner, Southern to the White House for dinner, Southern anger, reacting with violent acts against Southern anger, reacting with violent acts against Southern Blacks, caused Roosevelt to back away from further Blacks, caused Roosevelt to back away from further commitments after he lost Southern support.commitments after he lost Southern support.

c. The Southern-born Wilson had no enthusiastic c. The Southern-born Wilson had no enthusiastic support for Black rights. support for Black rights.

Despite the efforts of reformers like Ida Wells-Despite the efforts of reformers like Ida Wells-Barnett, no anti-lynching laws were enacted even Barnett, no anti-lynching laws were enacted even during the progressive New Deal eraduring the progressive New Deal era

Black ResponseBlack Response Niagara MovementNiagara Movement - the first collective attempt by - the first collective attempt by African-Americans to demand full citizen rights in the African-Americans to demand full citizen rights in the 20th century (without even indirect white support)20th century (without even indirect white support)

Led by W.E.B. Du Bois, their Led by W.E.B. Du Bois, their CallCall to action had been to action had been signed by 59 men of distinction in DC and sixteen states signed by 59 men of distinction in DC and sixteen states from Rhode Island to South Carolina to Kansas.from Rhode Island to South Carolina to Kansas.In a In a Declaration of PrinciplesDeclaration of Principles , they espoused black , they espoused black rights including the unrestricted right to vote, the end of rights including the unrestricted right to vote, the end of all segregation in public places, equal economic all segregation in public places, equal economic opportunity, equal justice in the courts, the right to a opportunity, equal justice in the courts, the right to a higher education for all citizens and an end to higher education for all citizens and an end to discrimination in trade unionsdiscrimination in trade unions..

NAACPNAACP

NAACPNAACP - 1909 - 1909 Although at first seen as primarily a Although at first seen as primarily a white organization dedicated to African-white organization dedicated to African-American uplift through well-financed American uplift through well-financed suasion, it was also an interracial phalanx suasion, it was also an interracial phalanx that challenged the mainstream public to that challenged the mainstream public to accept ever-greater civil and social rights accept ever-greater civil and social rights for America's historic minority.for America's historic minority.

NAACPNAACP

Its primary purpose became to challenge racial discrimination and Its primary purpose became to challenge racial discrimination and segregation in public places through the legal system.segregation in public places through the legal system.

Its publication Its publication CrisisCrisis was edited for 24 years by W.E.B Du Bois, whose was edited for 24 years by W.E.B Du Bois, whose participation in the organization was indispensable.participation in the organization was indispensable.

Its first successesIts first successes(a) Challenged laws which permitted the use of the mails to send (a) Challenged laws which permitted the use of the mails to send publications fostering racial prejudice.publications fostering racial prejudice.(b) Organized boycotts to gain rights sometimes used violence in the (b) Organized boycotts to gain rights sometimes used violence in the face of violence.face of violence. It increased Black awareness significantly so that men like It increased Black awareness significantly so that men like Marcus Marcus GarveyGarvey could unify Blacks in the next decade. could unify Blacks in the next decade.

Carter G. WoodsonCarter G. Woodson Formed in 1915 the Association for the Study of Negro Life and HistoryFormed in 1915 the Association for the Study of Negro Life and HistoryFounded and edited in 1916 Founded and edited in 1916 The Journal of Negro HistoryThe Journal of Negro History

Henry Steel Commager: ProgressivismHenry Steel Commager: Progressivism

An urban-centered reform movement, seeking political responses to industrialization and its social by-products: immigration, urban growth, the concentration of corporate power and the widening of class divisions.

•Native-born, protestant middle class Native-born, protestant middle class central to the central to the movement.movement.

•Organized interest groups promoted their agendasOrganized interest groups promoted their agendas

•Emphasis on a scientific approachEmphasis on a scientific approach

1. Confusion of Ethics – the most difficult to solve– Attempt to apply an outdated moral code to the practices of an Industrial and Integrated society

Solutions: Education, muckrakers, government regulation of businesses

2. Rise of Big Business – caused many of the other problems. - Affected politics, social ills (sweatshops and child labor) and racial issues–Control and Exploitation of natural resources and labor by Trusts and Monopolies for personal gain

Solutions: Government regulation – •Robert LaFollette attacked RRs and lumber companies in WI•Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson – regulation / breaking up trusts3. Distribution of Wealth – easiest to solve

–The unequal distribution of wealth, that created social and class divisions along economic lines

Solutions: Income tax and rise of middle class after WWII

4. Rise of the City – the most vigorous area of progressive reform- The growing demand for a new type of social engineering

Solutions: Professional city managers; campaigns against bosses and political machines

5. Political Corruption- Application of out-dated administration to new problems of govt.

Solutions: Muckrakers – Lincoln Steffens’ Shame of the Cities; Wisconsin Idea, referendum, initiative, recall

6. Racism – Most neglected issue- Denial of political, social and economic rights

Solutions: NAACP founded; anti-lynching campaigns