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The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era. 1890-1920. Problems with industrialization (unemployment, unsafe working conditions, child labor, political corruption, etc.) Many argued that government had to become more involved. Reformer individuals wanted many social welfare programs

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The Progressive Era

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  1. The Progressive Era 1890-1920

  2. Problems with industrialization (unemployment, unsafe working conditions, child labor, political corruption, etc.) Many argued that government had to become more involved Reformer individuals wanted many social welfare programs Many reformers (aka muckrakers) would investigate issues of concern and publicize results to put pressure on legislators at the local, state, and national levels The Origins of Progressivism

  3. Four Goals of Progressivism • Protecting Social Welfare (ex: Social Gospel Movement and Settlement House Movement) • Promoting Moral Improvementand Political Reform (ex: Prohibition and Voting Reform) • Creating Economic Reform (ex: American Socialist Party organized in 1901; anti-big business policies) • Fostering Efficiency (in society and in the workplace; led to shorter work days and better management)

  4. Local Reform Examples • Change corrupt city politics (“Political Machine” corruption) • Natural Disaster Relief • Reform Mayors encouraged involvement of everyone and enacted many socialist ideas

  5. Regulation (of the RRs, mines, mills, telephone co.s, and other large businesses) Reform Governors (Robert M. La Follette of WI) Attacking Child Labor State Labor Departments and Laws (lower hours, workers’ compensation, benefits) Reforming Elections Initiative (a bill originated by the people) Referendum (a vote on the initiative) Recall (voters can remove public officials from elected positions through requesting another vote before the end of their term) Direct Election of Senators (17th amendment - 1913) State Reform Examples

  6. National Reforms ExamplesUnder the Progressive Presidents • Theodore Roosevelt – Republican/Progressive Party (1901-1909) • William Howard Taft – Republican (1909-1913) • Woodrow Wilson –Democrat (1913-1921)

  7. Theodore Roosevelt • Background & personality • Square Deal • Trust busting • Arbitration • RR regulation • Health • 1906 Meat Inspection Act • 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act • Environment • Conservation • 1916 National Park Service • Civil Rights • Not a champion for civil rights • 1909 NAACP formed

  8. William Howard Taft • Background & personality • 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 • Eugene V. Debs’s Socialism

  9. Woodrow Wilson • Background & personality • Financial Reform • Clayton Antitrust Act 1914 • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) • Underwood Act 1913 to Lower Tariff’s (cost of foreign goods) • Federal Income Tax • Federal Reserve System • Suffrage for Women with the 19th Amendment in 1920 • Wilson’s Record on Civil Rights

  10. Women in Public Life • Victorian Era Expectations • Private v. Public Sphere • Before 1900’s, women were viewed in society as • Weak and fragile • Emotionally and mentally unstable • Motherly Saints • Their place was in the home • Sexually Pure • Incapable of making their own decisions

  11. Women in Public Life Cont. • Demands of Women During the Progressive Era… • Career Choices • The Vote (aka suffrage) • Equal Pay for equal work • Control of property and income • Equal access to education • An end to domestic violence

  12. Limits of Progressivism • Limited reforms for African American and other minority groups • Most changes were observed in urban areas • WWI and rising international concerns thwarted the continuation of progressive reforms on a mass national scale. • Many unresolved progressive issues were, however, addressed after the Great Depression of the 1930’s under FDR’s New Deal

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