Origins of Progressivism Chapter 11.1 pp. 382-387
Nov 16, 2014
Origins of Progressivism
Chapter 11.1
pp. 382-387
Roots of 20th Century Reform• Arose in cities in the northeast, midwest, and west coast
• Why in the cities?
Roots in other movements: Populism Nativism, Prohibition &purity crusades Electoral reform & ending political corruption Reacting to rapid industrialization, immigration, & urbanization
Workers had suffered Laissez-faire policies
Charity could not do enough to fix problems Government needed to step in
1890-1920 is the Progressive Era
*”New Immigrants”—Originated from southern & eastern Europe; esp. Russia, Austria, & Italy
Goals and Beliefs1. Gov’t should be more accountable to its citizens
2. Gov’t should curb the power and influence of wealthy interests
3. Gov’t should be given expanded powers so that it could become more active in improving the lives of its citizens
4. Gov’t should become more efficient and less corrupt so that they can handle an expanded role
*These goals are listed on the bottom of p. 383
Henry GeorgeEarly reformer
Journalist
Said poverty arose because some people bought and held on to land until its price went up (speculation)
George said to tax the land, even if holding on to it
Single tax clubs sprang up all over
Edward BellamyReformer
Newspaper editor
Published “Looking Backward”
A Boston man underwent hypnosis & woke up in 2000 (written in 1887)
Bestseller
All wrongs of labor were gone!
Many clubs arose preaching his views
Muckrakers“Muckrakers”—term coined by President
Roosevelt
Muckrakes were used to clean manure & hay out of stables
The writers pointed out corruption, wrongdoing
Upton Sinclair, The Jungle
Lincoln Steffens, The Shame of the Cities
Ida Tarbell, she revealed the abuses committed by the Standard Oil Trust
SocialistsFavors public or gov’t
control of property and income
Wanted to end capitalism, and have equal distribution of wealth
1901: Socialist Party of America was formed
By 1912 they had 1,000 city gov’t offices controlled
But remember…Progressives did not want major change!
Wanted high standard of living
They enjoyed democracy & free enterprise
Wanted personal liberties protected
They wanted to eliminate corruption in gov’t so that they could actually help those in need
Women & the Progressive EraNew level of activism
Social clubs transformed into reform clubs
Remember, women could not yet vote
“In a crowded city quarter, however, if the street is not cleaned by the city authorities no amount of private sweeping will keep the tenement free from grime; if the garbage is not properly collected and destroyed a tenement house mother may see her children sick and die of diseases.” --Jane Addams, 1910
Florence KelleyShe was instrumental in:
Started working w/ Jane Addams @ Hull House in 1891
Passing laws on child labor
Limiting working hours for women
Regulating sweatshop conditions
Went on to other higher jobs in gov’t
Mother JonesHer husband was an iron worker; he & her 4
children died in a yellow fever epidemic
Called on the Knights of Labor for help
Wanted to improve working conditions
Organized workers’ unions
Miners in WV and CO
Helped found IWW in 1905
Finally…The Progressives wanted gov’t involvement in
people’s lives
But those who should have wanted the help resisted the mostEx. Poor families could not survive without child’s
wages, but they wanted to limit child labor!
Progressive Legislation
Chapter 11.2
pp. 389-395
Triangle Fire in NYC, 1911What happened?
Why was this tragedy so important?
Robert La Follette Governor of Wisconsin
from 1901-1906
U.S. Senator from 1906-1925
“Fighting Bob”
What were his causes?
John Muir Naturalist, author,
preservationist
Sierra Club
Yosemite Valley & Sequoia National Park
Preservation vs. Conservation?????
Qs#1) Summarize the Progressives’ views on
regulating business.
#2) Give examples of government reforms and social welfare programs at the municipal and state levels during the Progressive Era.
#3) Describe the effect of each of these on reforms:A) home ruleB) direct primaryC) initiative
Amendments16th
17th
18th
19th
What were they, what did they do?