Progressive Era

Progressive EraProgressive Era

““We’ve got to start to make We’ve got to start to make this world over. (Thomas this world over. (Thomas Edison,1912 )Edison,1912 )

THE BIG IDEATHE BIG IDEABeginning in the late 1800s, Beginning in the late 1800s,

reformers known as reformers known as Progressives worked to try Progressives worked to try to solve the problems of to solve the problems of American SocietyAmerican Society

Industrialization caused Industrialization caused problemsproblems Unemployment and labor Unemployment and labor

unrestunrest Wasteful use of natural Wasteful use of natural

resourcesresources Abuses of corporate powerAbuses of corporate power

Urbanization – move from Urbanization – move from farm to cityfarm to city

Cities full of problemsCities full of problems – poverty, – poverty, disease, crime and political corruptiondisease, crime and political corruption

Influx of immigrantsInflux of immigrants and rise of a new and rise of a new manager class upset earlier class manager class upset earlier class alignmentsalignments

Depression from 1893 – 1897Depression from 1893 – 1897 convinced people that “equality of convinced people that “equality of opportunity” was a myth – NO WAY opportunity” was a myth – NO WAY OUTOUT

Who Were the Who Were the ProgressivesProgressives

New middle class of young New middle class of young professionalsprofessionals Apply professional principlesApply professional principles Strong faith in progress and educationStrong faith in progress and education Volunteerism can solve problemsVolunteerism can solve problems Most were city dwellers and focused Most were city dwellers and focused

on city problemson city problems

Progressives included: Progressives included:

SocialistsSocialists Labor LeadersLabor Leaders Child Labor reformersChild Labor reformers Government reformersGovernment reformers Muckrakers (Reporters)Muckrakers (Reporters)

American Socialist PartyAmerican Socialist PartyGovernment control of property and incomeEnd capitalist system (inequality)Redistribute wealthNationalize industriesNo revolution – change through electionsSocialist Party formed 1901

GOALS OF THE GOALS OF THE PROGRESSIVESPROGRESSIVES

Prevent businesses from treating Prevent businesses from treating other companies unfairlyother companies unfairly

Improve safety and working Improve safety and working conditionsconditions

Outlaw child laborOutlaw child labor Create programs to help –sick, Create programs to help –sick,

unemployed, and elderlyunemployed, and elderly Reduce government corruptionReduce government corruption Give women the right to voteGive women the right to vote

The MuckrakersThe Muckrakers Why were they Why were they

called called Muckrakers?Muckrakers?

Who functions Who functions like a muckraker like a muckraker in our modern in our modern society? society?

Who is a Who is a muckraker in muckraker in Buffalo New Buffalo New York?York?

MuckrakersMuckrakers Lincoln SteffensLincoln Steffens Ida TarbellIda Tarbell Upton SinclairUpton Sinclair

In 1890 Jacob Riis (1849-1914) published “How In 1890 Jacob Riis (1849-1914) published “How the Other Half Lives,” including his photograph of the Other Half Lives,” including his photograph of children sleeping on the streets of New York. children sleeping on the streets of New York. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress.Photo courtesy of Library of Congress.

MuckrakingMuckraking vs. vs.

Yellow Yellow JournalismJournalism

Muckraking vs. Muckraking vs. Yellow JournalismYellow JournalismThe two are often confusedThe two are often confusedWhat are the Similarities?What are the Similarities?

Virtually the Same… Virtually the Same… butbut

There are Differences!There are Differences!

Something to think about –Something to think about –HomeworkHomework

Progressive LegislationProgressive Legislation 1890 – Sherman Anti-Trust Act1890 – Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Outlawed monopolies and unfair business Outlawed monopolies and unfair business practicespractices

1905 - U.S. Forest Service – manage nation’s water 1905 - U.S. Forest Service – manage nation’s water and timber resourcesand timber resources

1906 – Meat Inspection Act – Federal inspection of 1906 – Meat Inspection Act – Federal inspection of meat processingmeat processing

1906 – Pure Food and Drug Act – outlawed dishonest 1906 – Pure Food and Drug Act – outlawed dishonest labelinglabeling

1913 – Department of Labor created – promote 1913 – Department of Labor created – promote welfare and safety of working people welfare and safety of working people

The Progressive The Progressive PresidentsPresidents

Woodrow Wilson 28th President 1913 - 1921

Theodore Roosevelt 26th President 1901 - 1909

Wm. Howard Taft 27th President 1909 - 1913

Women can finally VOTEWomen can finally VOTE 19th Amendment 19th Amendment

passed in 1920passed in 1920 Voting population Voting population

is doubledis doubled Women take their Women take their

rightful place in arightful place in a democratic democratic republicrepublic