1 / 17

The Progressive Era: 1895-1920

The Progressive Era: 1895-1920. An Overview. Origins of Progressivism. Aftermath of Industrialism. Sharp increase in urbanization Unsanitary living and working conditions as well as poverty. Further widened the gap between rich and poor.

Download Presentation

The Progressive Era: 1895-1920

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. The Progressive Era: 1895-1920 An Overview

  2. Origins of Progressivism

  3. Aftermath of Industrialism • Sharp increase in urbanization • Unsanitary living and working conditions as well as poverty. • Further widened the gap between rich and poor. • Middle class saw these changes and became inspired to fight for reform and positive changes in society

  4. Origins of Progressivism             -Increased industry             -New populations             -Labor unrest             -Depression • Foreign Influences: - European reforms such as old-age insurance, subsidized worker’s housing, city planning, and rural reconstruction. • Progressivism was a direct result of previous political and social factors. Did not come out of nowhere

  5. Goals of Progressivism • End abuses of power • Implement social programs to replace corrupt institutions and reduce inequalities • i.e.. schools, medical clinics, community programs • Increase efficiency in economic, social, and political institutions.

  6. Philosophy of Progressivism • 1. Did not want to get rid of capitalism, just Alleviate some of the problems of a PURE capitalist system • 2. Did not believe everyone was equal • 3. The gap between wealthy and poor should not be extreme • 4. Corruption in government led to inefficiency • 5. Government should look out for welfare of whole society, not special interests.

  7. Important Groups in Progressivism 1. Middle Class, educated whites 2. Upper Elites, mostly women • Sometimes conflicted with people they wanted to help.

  8. Important Groups in Progressivism 3. Muckrakers • Journalists who wrote about evils and corruption of American society.  • Wrote in widely circulated magazines (McClure’s, Cosmopolitan) & novels. • Editors wanted scandalous, shocking stories so to appeal to readers. • Examples: The Jungle, Treason of the Senate

  9. Opponents of Progressivism • Believed that government should not have such a large influence on economic affairs. • Believed the Progressive movement contradicted the laws of social Darwinism. • Believed businesses un-regulated was the only way to ensure progress and the continuation of capitalism

  10. Major Areas of Focus for Progressives • Children/Education • Government • Women • Labor • African Americans

  11. Children/Education: Child Laborers • Promoted Child Labor Laws • Shorter Work Days • Age Limits

  12. Children/Education: Child Education • Child-centered schools and more flexible. • No corruption in schools • Curriculum that promotes social change. • School attendance laws • Juvenile Courts

  13. 2. Government • Government should counteract inefficiency and exploitation. (ie. No Socialism and no pure Capitalism) • Direct election of Senators • City manager and commission forms of government and public ownership of utilities.

  14. 3. Women • Lowered Working Hours • Muller v. Oregon 1908: • 10 hour work days for women. • Problem: states found loopholes • Give help to working women through community programs and services • ie. Day care, classes, clubs).

  15. 4. Labor • Protect the working class by trying to give them lifestyles more like the middle-class. • Wanted protective legislation • Women and Children Labor Laws • Worker’s compensation • Unemployment insurance.

  16. 4. Labor - Beyond the Progressive Labor Movement • Some people believed that Progressivism wasn’t enough • Socialism was seen as a way of changing society • Lead by Eugene V. Debs in 1912 • Not successful, b/c most progressives were too reliant on the capitalist system to want to overthrow it.

  17. 5. Racism • Jane Addams fought to get rid of the racial exclusions in the Progressive movement. • Booker T. Washington promoted the strategy of self-help, in which blacks should work hard to prove to whites that they are worthy or respect. • Overall, failure of the Progressives

More Related