The Progressive Era
Progressivism Not one single unified movement A wide range of economic, political, social, and moral reforms. Progress to occur through human intervention to solve problems.
Origins Populism-agrarian revolt that swept through the Midwest in the late 19 th C. Called for government intervention, free silver, and many political reforms Populist Party or People s Party supported Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan in 1896 Muckrakers- crusading journalists. Reaction against Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism Herbert Spencer promoted Social Darwinism. Spencer argued: unfit people would eventually disappear That any government aid to the poor interrupted the correct evolution of civilization. Each individual should be allowed to do as he or she wills as long as it doesn t infringe on the rights of another person.
Gospel of Wealth Andrew Carnegie believed in laissezfaire and Social Darwinism, but... also believed that those who profited from society should help with social progress. the man of wealth thus becoming the trustee for his poorer brethren
Progressive Goals Goals included (many Populist ideas) Protecting Social Welfare (Social Gospel Movement and Settlement House Movement) Promoting Moral Improvement and Political Reform (Prohibition and Voting Reform) Creating Economic Reform (American Socialist Party organized in 1901; anti-big business policies) Fostering Efficiency (in society and in the workplace; led to lower worker days and better management) 7
Political Reform
Political Change All states move to a secret ballot by 1890s State reform Initiative (citizens originate legislation) Referendum (citizens vote on legislation) Recall (vote to remove a public official) 17 th Amendment (1913)-direct election of senators Growth of socialism in America (Eugene Debs receives 1 million votes in 1912) 19 th Amendment (1920)-women's suffrage
Women s Suffrage Susan B. Anthony: 1820-1906 Lucy Burns 1879-1966 Carrie Chapman Catt: 1859-1947 Alice Paul 1886-1977
Economic Reform
Muckrakers Target Big Business Monopolies Ida Tarbell-The History of Standard Oil Consumer protection laws Upton Sinclair and The Jungle The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Labor Progress The United Mine Workers strike in Pennsylvania (1902). Roosevelt forces mine owners to arbitrate with the miners. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911) will lead to labor reform. Department of Labor created (1913). Keating-Owen Act (1916) first federal law restricting child labor Lewis Hine s photographs were a driving force behind the fight for stricter child labor laws.
Other Economic Reform The Federal Reserve Act (1913) Set up Federal Reserve System as the central banking authority of the United States 16th Amendment (1913)-federal income tax
Social Reform
Urban Poverty Settlement Houses: provided services such as daycare, education, and healthcare. designed to help the urban poor, especially immigrant families. Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr were the cofounders of Hull House, founded in 1889 in Chicago. JANE ADDAMS ELLEN GATES STARR
INSIDE HULL HOUSE
Temperance Women s Christian Temperance Union was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1874 and concerned about the evils of alcohol By 1916, 19 states had prohibition laws 18th Amendment (1919)-established Prohibition Carrie Nation
African American Fight for Rights Booker T. Washington- educator and reformer argued that African Americans raise themselves economically, accommodate temporarily until they would win the respect of white society. The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race. Others adopted a more activist stance, such as; Ida B. Wells the anti-lynching crusader W.E.B. Du Bois, Co-founder of the NAACP demanded an end to caste distinctions based on race "The Negro Race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education then, among Negroes, must first of all deal with the "Talented Tenth."
Progressive Presidents
Theodore Roosevelt Square Deal Trust busting Arbitration RR regulation Health 1906 Meat Inspection Act 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act Environment Conservation** 1916 National Park Service
William Howard Taft Taft v. Roosevelt Progressives turn against Taft and the Rep. Party Splits The election of 1912 Wilson s (D) New Freedom Taft s (R) Conservatism Roosevelt s Progressivism Bull Moose Party Eugene V. Debs Socialism
Woodrow Wilson Financial Reform Clayton Antitrust Act 1914 Underwood Act 1913 to Lower Tariffs Federal Income Tax Federal Reserve System Suffrage for Women with the19th Amendment in 1920
Affinity Mapping On post-its, write as many responses to the following questions in the time allowed. What issues, events, and people define the Progressive Era?