What is this unit about The Progressive Era

What is this unit about?

The Progressive Era: 1890 -1920 s

PROGRESSIVISM M u c k r a c k e r s S u f f r a g e t t e s D i s c r i m i n a t i o n T e m p e r a n c e I m m i g r a n t s W o m e n ‘s R i g h t s L a b o r U n i o n s C i v i l R i g h t s

Progressive Era: What, Why, The Progressive Movement was a REFORM movement that worked to correct the abuses of American society. By 1900, the U. S. was a rich and powerful nation. Industrialization, urbanization, and immigration had transformed the U. S. into a major world economy. Changes in American life brought problems. The negative effects of these changes led many Americans to call for reform.

Progressivism Defined REFORM “Progressivism”: the political orientation of those who favor progress toward better conditions in government and society “Progressive”: a person believing in moderate political change and social improvement through political action (http: //define. ansme. com/words/p/progressivism. html ) (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) When? Between the years: 1890 -1920

Who Were the Progressives? Not a single group of people. They were made up of many different kinds of Americans and movements. Progressives were: mainly city dwellers; educated professionals- doctors, lawyers, social workers, clergy, teachers. Muckrakers were: Journalists, writers, artists, and photographers who helped bring reform issues to the attention of the public. Investigated and exposed corruption through articles in mass-circulation magazines. They wrote novels that dramatized situations demanding reform.

Goals of the Progressive Movement Believed that abuses of power by government and business should be ended. Believed that new developments in technology and science should be used to improve American institutions- business, government, education, family life. Believed in capitalism and were concerned with growth of socialism as a more radical reaction to effects of industrialization. Believed that politics were corrupt and that a strong government should correct abuses and protect rights.

What helped the movement grow? It was centered in cities – where most of the population was living at the time. The telephone and telegraph helped make communication faster. Mass circulation of newspapers and magazines spread progressive ideas quickly to a large group of people. The era included a growing U. S. economy and an optimistic climate among Americans.

Muckraking Today Describe three areas in which we need muckrakers in today’s American society.