AMERICAN STUDIES
The Progressive Era
Problems created by the Industrial Revolution
Working conditions: Long hours, low wages, unsafe conditions, and child labor
Laissez Faire: No regulations on big business Companies could treat workers how they wanted,
could make products how they wanted, etc.Living conditions: Dirty, crowded, unsanitary,
no help for the poorAfrican Americans: Racism and segregationWomen: Sexism and discrimination
The Progressive Movement
Reformers: Urban middle class Well-educated people who wanted to fix the problems
created by the Industrial Revolution Reduce govt corruption and social inequalities Promote true democracy where all are protected and
representedNot an organized political party/movement,
but change in public opinion or mindset Reform = change
Progress toward being a better society
Practice Question
What problem arising from U.S. industrialization did the progressive reformers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries want the federal government to address?
A. use of child labor in the workplace B. unfair taxes on the wealthy C. restrictions on the use of natural resources D. lack of capital for railroad expansion
What Progressives Fight For
Progressives fight to reduce the increasing gap between rich and poor Against child labor More women enter workforce: stand up for worker’s
rights, health and safety Help for the poor Conservation: Save the environment Equal treatment for all classes, races, and genders
Views on Laissez-Faire and Big Business
Conservative View: Keep Laissez-Faire; economy should not be regulated by the govt Business should be free to compete in any way Ignore problems of Industrialization because there are
more benefits for business Social Darwinism: The rich deserve their money 14th Amendment: Regulations deprive people of “life, liberty,
and property”Progressive View: End Laissez-faire; economy
should be regulated by the govt Want laws to regulate business’s unfair practices to protect
consumers and promote fair treatment for all Need to solve problems of Industrialization and end
suffering
Newspaper’s Role in Progressive Movement
Mass Circulation of Newspapers Newspaper and magazine industry grows with
advances in technologyPlay a key role in spreading awareness about
social and economic issues Sold for a penny
Yellow Journalism: publish shocking stories of sensation, corruption and scandal to get more readers Do we have journalists like this today?
Joseph Pulitzer: New York World
William Randolph Hearst: New York Journal
Newspaper Rivals
Muckrakers
Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who uncover corruption and abuses in society In newspapers, magazines, novels, etc.
“Rake up the muck” in society to expose dirty truth below the surface of business and politics
Monthly women’s magazine have long articles on horrible factory conditions and corrupt city officials
Ida Tarbell
One of the first women in investigative reporting McClure Magazine
1904: Exposes monopolistic methods used by Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company
Contributes to US Supreme Court Case that breaks up the monopoly in 1911
Lincoln Steffens
1904: Published a collection of McClure articles into the book The Shame of the Cities
Uncovers political corruption in the city governments Taking bribes, embezzling taxes, using force to
remove other candidatesPhotographer Jacob Riis:
Book “How the Other Half Lives” Shows the hard life of immigrants in the US
Upton Sinclair
Wrote novel The Jungle: exposes the horrors of the Chicago meatpacking industry No rules/regulations about how to handle meat, sanitation,
what can go in the sausage, etc. Public outcry leads to new laws:The Meat Inspection Act (1906): Gave US officials
the power to check the quality and healthfulness of meats shipped in interstate commerce
Pure Food and Drug Act: FDA: Food and Drug Administration established to inspect
and approve quality foodhttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=th
e+jungle&N=18342&N=18343&N=4294939055
Practice Question
What was the Muckrakers role during the Progressive movement?
A. They were able to work white collar jobs.B. They uncovered and spread the problems
created during the Industrial Revolution.C. They used papers to spread the news that
the rich should control the government.D. They managed the poor at work .
Social Settlement Movement
Terrible living conditions for immigrants in the city Exposed by photographer Jacob Riis
Encourage efforts to reduce overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in tenements Many women become experts on problems of urban
poverty Use their knowledge to persuade legislators to enact
new laws to protect poor and children
Settlement House
Building where women and children could go for help adjusting to life in the US Hull House run by Jane Addams in Chicago Women offered classes in English, art, literature and
music Better supervision to keep kids safe and out of work
Women’s Rights
Suffrage: the right to voteSeneca Falls Convention in NY (1848): Women’s
suffrage movement begins First victories for equal rights are on the western frontier
states Men believe women are too emotional, have their husband’s
to represent them, shouldn’t have a voice in the govt Women want their constitutional rights as a citizen in a
democracyLeaders: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone and
Susan B. AnthonyCivil Disobedience: Break a law to protest it
because it is unjust
Practice Question
In 1872, as part of a state by state campaign for women’s suffrage, Susan B. Anthony knowingly and deliberately violated New York state law by casting a ballot in the presidential election. She was tried, found guilty, and ordered to pay a fine. What was the purpose of Susan B. Anthony’s act of civil disobedience?
A. to gain support for a particular candidateB. to use propaganda to influence public opinionC. to call attention to a perceived injusticeD. to show that unjust laws could not be enforced
Iron Jawed Angels
Part 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiZRUoqWKB0Part 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fXpob-C5poPart 8:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZwoEn5bNugPart 9:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwcFlhtlfe8Part 10:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx9iSnmdTZAPart 11:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HAjqFJTz8w
Suffragists
They present the amendment to Congress every year for 40 years, but men shoot it down
Progressive Movement supports women’s rights New Leaders: Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt
Protest using marches and picketing, writing editorials, serving jail time and going on hunger strike
Passed in Congress in 1919, then must be ratified by the states
1920: 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQhRCs9IHM&list=PLPzx_JMdsdg1-DhvwhI6mkGdINq5FeH1L&index=4
Practice Question
Fight for Birth Control
Many women suffer and risk their health living in poverty with frequent pregnancies
Margaret Sanger: Nurse who believed women should have info on ways to prevent pregnancy
1914: Published magazine and opened first clinic in Brooklyn, NY
Launched movement for planned parenthood that gained support in later decades
Temperance Movement
Many progressives (mostly women) wanted to fight alcohol abuse Increases poverty and crime rates
Reformers: Carrie Nation would walk into a saloon and destroy alcohol bottles with an axe
Prohibition:18th Amendment passed in 1919 prohibits sale and manufacture of alcohol (until 1933)
Practice Question
Prohibition was a political attempt to regulate
A. Destruction of families caused by alcohol.B. Low wages due to monopolies and big
business.C. Injuries caused by organized crime.D. Poverty caused by illegal drugs.
The Black Movement
Plessey vs. Ferguson: Segregation is legal Allows Jim Crow Laws in the South to segregate and
discriminateProgressive Black leaders challenge laws and
try to win support from white reformersMany blacks in the south being lynched by
mobs of whites Lynched: To be hung in public to make a statement Ida B. Wells: Muckraker who writes about racial
injustice and lynching http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=naacp
Practice Question
What was the effect of the passage of Jim Crow laws in the United States in the late 19th century?
A. Racial segregation was required by law in southern states.
B. Native Americans were moved onto reservations.
C. Restrictions were placed on business monopolies.
D. Women were denied the right to vote in national elections.
Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)
Former slave turned Progressive pacifistMany white leaders agree with him about
education and training blacks for skilled jobs Advisor to Teddy Roosevelt
Accepts white supremacy and segregationWants economic and educational
opportunities, and fair treatment in court
W.E.B. Dubois (1868-1963)
African American scholar and activistChief leader: Organizes Niagara Movement to
focus on publicizing and protesting acts of injustice against African Americans
Criticizes Booker T. and does not accept inferiority; wants total equality Conservative view vs. Radical view
Extreme Radical: Marcus Garvey leads “back to Africa” movement for black independence
NAACP
1909: Dubois’ movement helps found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Jane Addams was also one of the founders Fights for civil rights: Raise awareness through
media, fight against laws in court 1915-1917: Supreme Court:
Desegregates housing Allows blacks on juries Run for office in party primaries
Practice Question
What was one perspective of African-Americans that was reflected in the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)?
A. the hope of encouraging widespread emigration to Africa
B. the belief that racial segregation was justified in all circumstances
C. the goal of forming a new political party to represent African-Americans
D. the desire to bring about legal and social equality for African-Americans
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
President after the death of McKinley at World’s fairSquare Deal: Teddy’s campaign promises fair
treatment for all groups in the US Poor and rich, laborers and big business, etc. Works for reform of Laissez-faire system The Presidents: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTqUKRJk7dQ
Before Roosevelt
Laissez Faire: Govt keeps their hands off the economy and big business
Stewardship Theory: New idea that presidents had an obligation to guide the nation’s economic and political affairs to create better conditions for the majority Previous presidents had intervened on the behalf of big
business instead of the people Teddy wants regulation to help the people Brought 44 anti-trust cases to court
Teddy Trust Buster
Practice Question
As a result of industrialization in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, progressive reformers sought government regulation of business in order to
A. control economic cycles of inflation and recession.
B. provide money for public services such as schools and libraries.
C. restore competition by limiting the power of monopolies and trusts.
D. prevent companies from moving their factories to other countries.
Reform Local Government
Progressives focus on issues in urban areasProblems: Cities controlled by corrupt bosses
and political machines Only provide aid to the poor who will vote for them Take bribes and charge high taxes
Reform/Solutions: Remove politicians associated with political machines Reduce cost of govt, lower taxes, end corruption Provide better city services like transportation, police,
etc. Cleveland and Toledo had very Progressive leaders
State Government Reform
Problems: The people have very little say in the govt Big business has too much power
Solutions: The secret ballot voting system Direct Primary: Voters nominate candidates by direct
popular election Not chosen by political party officials (17th amendment)
Initiative: People can sign a petition to force state legislature to consider a proposed law
Referendum: Proposed law could be submitted directly to the people to be voted on
Recall: People could vote on whether to remove an elected official from office
Social Welfare Reform
Problems: Child labor Unsanitary and unsafe streets Poor quality housing Lack of education of the poor
Solutions: Regulation of child labor Urban planning for better sanitation and police force Construction of safer housing Mandatory public education requirements
Economic/Business Reform
Roosevelt is the first president to make a serious effort to break up the trusts
Problems: Monopolies cause high prices, less choice, and low quality goods http://www.history.com/topics/labor/videos#jp-morga
n-battles-coal-miners-in-1902Solutions:
Elkins Act: Punishes railroads for giving rebates Hepburn Act: Interstate Commerce Commission can
fix rates charged by railroads and limits discounts Enforce the Sherman Antitrust Act: Prosecute and
break up trusts/monopolies
Teddy Roosevelt: Trust Buster
Environmental Reform
Problems: Industrialization causes… Factory pollution in cities Lumber and mining companies destroy land out West
Solutions: Conservation to manage use of land and protect wilderness areas Conservationist = Environmentalist The Newlands Reclamation Act (1902): Provided
money from sale of desert lands to be used to finance irrigation projects
The Inland Waterways Act (1907): Appoints a commission to study use of nation’s rivers
TR establishes 149 national forests/parks
National Parks
Gifford Pinchot: Forces lumbering companies to replant trees
John Muir: Supports laws to create national parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon
Practice Question
The 1890 U.S. Census led some people to conclude that there was no longer a frontier line in the West. Early in the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt advocated the conservation of the nation’s natural resources. These events signaled a change in how people perceived
A. farmland.B. urban areas.C. wilderness areas.D. centers of industry and technology.
William H. Taft (1909-1913)
Progressives like: Takes over 90 trusts to court to break up monopolies A former member of Teddy’s cabinet who would carry
on his Progressive beliefsProgressives dislike: Helps business with
high tariffs but doesn’t help the environment Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909): Raises prices on imports
instead of lowering them like Progressives wanted Taft fires Gifford Pinchot and focuses more on
business than the environment The Presidents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTqUKRJk7dQ
Child Labor Legislation under Taft
Taft establishes Children’s Bureau to investigate “welfare of children in all classes”
Keating-Owen Act (1916): Forbids transport of goods made by factories that employ children 1918: Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional Tried taxing them extra and passing amendment
against it but failed 1938: Fair Labor Standards Act outlaws child labor
and sets and minimum wage
Election of 1912
Republican Taft runs for re-election Conservative reformer, moderate Progressive Breaks up monopolies but still helps big business
Teddy runs as Progressive “Bull-Moose” party Independent 3rd party candidate, anti-big business
Democrats nominate Woodrow Wilson Progressive, anti-big business
Election of 1912
Socialist Party: 4th candidate Eugene Debs Fights for unions and wants govt ownership of all
companiesWilson wins landslide victory: Republican
party was too dividedAll candidates were reformersWilson promises New Freedom:
Lower tariffs, regulation of big business, and reform of the banking system
Reform under Woodrow Wilson
Underwood Tariff Law (1913): Lowers tariffs, which lowers prices of consumer goods No more discounts for big business
Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914): Strengthens Sherman Act Businesses must allow competition to exist Lists specific monopolist practices that are illegal Same people can’t sit on Board of Directors for several
companies (no interlocking dictatorships)Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 1914: Govt has
power to investigate and punish unfair business practices Issue orders for monopolies to “cease and desist” anti-
competitive practices
Federal Reserve System
Before Wilson there was no system in control of increasing/decreasing nation’s supply of currency
Organized system of central banksTwo functions: Promote banking stability1. Control money supply according to
changing needs of business/economy2. Provide private banks with reserve money
in case to many people withdrawal money, they can still stay open
Inflation
Rise in general price of goods and servicesMoney has less purchasing powerFederal Reserve Bank must adjust interest
rate to avoid recessionhttp://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.ht
m
Practice Question
What was a key reason for the creation of the Federal Reserve System?
A. to encourage exportsB. to increase tax revenuesC. to reduce budget deficitsD. to promote banking stability
History of Halloween
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-halloween
