The Progressive Era 1895 1920 An Overview Origins

The Progressive Era: 1895 -1920 An Overview

Origins of Progressivism

Problems Leading to Progressivism ► Industrialization ► Urbanization

Aftermath of Industrialism ► Sharp increase in urbanization ► Unsanitary as poverty. ► Further ► Middle living and working conditions as well widened the gap between rich and poor. class saw these changes and became inspired to fight for reform and positive changes in society

Origins of Progressivism -Increased industry -New populations -Labor unrest -Depression ► Foreign Influences: - European reforms such as old-age insurance, subsidized worker’s housing, city planning, and rural reconstruction. ► Progressivism was a direct result of previous political and social factors. Did not come out of nowhere

Goals of Progressivism 1. End abuses of power 2. Implement social programs to replace corrupt institutions and reduce inequalities ► i. e. . schools, medical clinics, community programs 3. Increase efficiency in economic, social, and political institutions.

Philosophy of Progressivism ► 1. Did not want to get rid of capitalism, just Alleviate some of the problems of a PURE capitalist system ► 2. Did not believe everyone was equal ► 3. The gap between wealthy and poor should not be extreme ► 4. Corruption in government led to inefficiency ► 5. Government should look out for welfare of whole society, not special interests.

Important Groups in Progressivism 1. Middle Class, educated whites 2. Upper Elites, mostly women § Sometimes conflicted with people they wanted to help.

Important Groups in Progressivism 3. Muckrakers § Journalists who wrote about evils and corruption of American society. § Wrote in widely circulated magazines (Mc. Clure’s, Cosmopolitan) & novels. § Editors wanted scandalous, shocking stories so to appeal to readers. § Examples: The Jungle, Treason of the Senate

Opponents of Progressivism ► Believed that government should not have such a large influence on economic affairs. ► Believed the Progressive movement contradicted the laws of social Darwinism. ► Believed businesses un-regulated was the only way to ensure progress and the continuation of capitalism

Major Areas of Focus for Progressives ► Children/Education ► Government ► Women ► Labor ► African Americans

Children/Education: Child Laborers ► Promoted Child Labor Laws § Shorter Work Days § Age Limits

Child Labor ► 1. 7 million children under age of 16 working ►National Child Labor Committee § Worked to abolish child labor ►States began passing laws to set minimum age for employment ►Lewis Hine photographs

The History Place - Child Labor in America

Children/Education: Child Education ► Child-centered ► No schools and more flexible. corruption in schools ► Curriculum ► School that promotes social change. attendance laws ► Juvenile Courts

2. Government ► Government should counteract inefficiency and exploitation. (ie. No Socialism and no pure Capitalism) ► Direct ► City election of Senators manager and commission forms of government and public ownership of utilities.

3. Women ► Lowered ► Muller Working Hours v. Oregon 1908: § 10 hour work days for women. § Problem: states found loopholes ► Give help to working women through community programs and services § ie. Day care, classes, clubs).

4. Labor ► Protect the working class by trying to give them lifestyles more like the middle-class. ► Wanted protective legislation § Women and Children Labor Laws § Worker’s compensation § Unemployment insurance.

5. Racism ► Jane Addams fought to get rid of the racial exclusions in the Progressive movement. ► Booker T. Washington promoted the strategy of self-help, in which blacks should work hard to prove to whites that they are worthy or respect. ► Overall, failure of the Progressives

Prohibition Movement ► Progressives believe alcohol responsible for societal problems ► Temperance movement § moderation or elimination of alcohol § Women’s Christian Temperance Union ► Prohibition § Banning the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol

Social Welfare Action ►Meat Inspection Act § Federal Inspection of Meat § Set standards for cleanliness in packing plants ►Pure Food and Drug Act § Stopped sale and shipping of falsely labeled food and drugs

Conservation ►Newlands Reclamation Act § Federal funds from public land sales to pay for land development projects

Urban Social Work ► Settlement Houses § Jane Addams est. Hull House in Chicago (1889) § Secular missionaries – lived in foreign neighborhoods & tried to “uplift” working class immigrants Jane Addams Hull House ► Charity Organization Societies pooled & coordinated resources

The Progressive Era Amendments ► 18 th Amendment (1917; 1919) banned manufacture, transportation & sale of alcohol ► 19 th Amendment (1919; 1920) granted right to vote to women ► 21 st Amendment repealed the 18 th Celebrating the ratification of the 19 th Amendment