Section 1 The Age of Reform 1897-1920 Progressivism Video (7 min) DE Streaming with captions. Progressivism A spirit of reform in the early 20 th century Focused on urban problems, poor sanitation, and corrupt governments Progressives were: Progressives were: Urban, educated, upper-middle class Americans Thought government could solve problems, but needed to be fixed first. Strong faith in science and technology 1
Muckrakers Muckrakers Muckrakers Term coined by Theodore Roosevelt that described investigative journalists They raked up the muck, or filth, of society Lincoln Steffens Lincoln Steffens Exposed corruption in big city governments in his book The Shame of the Cities (1904) Jacob Riis Photographed the urban poor in his book How the Other Half Lives Showed upper-class Americans the dark side of industrialization 2
Jacob Riis Frank Norris Frank Norris Wrote The Octopus A fictional work showing the stranglehold of railroads over California farmers 3
Ida Tarbell Ida Tarbell Ida Tarbell Author of History of the Standard Oil Company in McClure s Magazine Portrayed Rockefeller as a ruthless businessman Muckraking books Muckraking books Muckraking books The muckrakers began writing detailed articles too long for a magazine, so they started publishing novels Painted negative pictures of the industrial world 4
Robert La Follette Robert La Follette Progressive Governor of Wisconsin Challenged the hold that political bosses had on party conventions. Direct Primary party members vote on candidates for general election. Initiative Initiative Initiative Gave voters the power to introduce legislation. Requires the legislature to vote on this citizen - introduced idea. Used in state and local government Referendum 5
Referendum Referendum Allows citizens to vote on proposed laws directly Often used in state and local government to stop tax hikes Can also overturn legislation Recall Recall Recall Enables voters to remove an elected official from office by calling for a special election. Especially used in local elections city councils and school boards 17 th Amendment 6
17 th Amendment 17 th Amendment Constitutional amendment that gave voters the power to elect their senators directly. (1913) However, did remove a constitutional check on federal power Compulsory Education Laws Compulsory Education Laws Compulsory Education Laws Laws that required parents to send their children to school Helped control problem of child labor. Frances Willard 7
Frances Willard Led the Women s Christian Temperance Union Temperance (def.) moderation or selfrestraint, especially in eating and drinking (e.g. alcohol) Worked for moderation of alcohol The WCTU was also active in women s suffrage, prison reform, and child labor legislation Prohibition Prohibition Prohibition Prevented the sale or manufacture of alcohol The goal of the temperance movement Saw liquor as cause of poverty and crimes against women and children 18 th Amendment 8
18 th Amendment 18 th Amendment Barred the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol An unexpected result of this was the creation of a new type of crime called Organized Crime (and NASCAR) Susan B Anthony Susan B Anthony Susan B Anthony A prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage NAWSA 9
NAWSA NAWSA National American Woman Suffrage Association Founded in 1890 Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Purpose: Women s voting rights. Lobbying Lobbying The act of persuading legislators to vote for legislation or supporting your cause. Financially support a political candidate in exchange for legislation that lobbyists want. Lobbying 19 th Amendment 10
19 th Amendment 19 th Amendment 19 th Amendment Constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote. (1919) A result of successful lobbying and women s efforts during World War I. Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Video 5min 11
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire New York, 1911 Locked exit doors and bad fire escapes led to the deaths of 146 garment workers Changed public ideas about unions and worker protection laws. Muller v. Oregon Muller v. Oregon Muller v. Oregon An employer challenged the Oregon 10-hour work day law for women The Supreme Court upheld a state s right to limit hours for female workers Progressives Vs Big Business 12
Progressives Vs Big Business Progressives believed government should break up big business to restore competition Sherman Antitrust Act 1890 Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroads The end of Laissez- Faire? 13