Warm-up (11/07) March 25, 1911: Triangle Shirtwaist Co., occupied the upper floors of a 10-story building…small fire breaks out and swells to an inferno. Workers flee to safety but approach locked exit doors, short rescue ladders, rusted fire escapes and flimsy nets. 146 workers die. After reading this, what reforms (changes) would you want passed?

Answer : –Mandatory fire drills –Unlock and fireproof exits –Require automatic sprinklers in buildings more than 7 stories high

Class Assignments (Week of 11/06) TUESDAY (11/07) –Review the need for progress –Identify key people in the Progressive Era Reform Movement (Mother Jones, Florence Kelley, & Robert M. La Follette) –Identify key municipal and state reforms that still affect today’s society

Women’s Influence on the Progressiv e Era & Political Reforms 11.2/11.3

Women’s Groups Women’s groups will form around major issues –Alcohol/Prohibition –Improving Working Conditions –Child Labor –MOST IMPORTANTLY: Women’s Suffrage Why? Because without the vote women are powerless in politics (they have no voice) Resistance: Child Labor laws were essential to social progress, however, poor families could not survive without the wages of their working children

Women Reformers Florence Kelley –Issue: Local labor conditions –Because of her efforts, Illinois passed laws prohibiting child labor and limiting work hours for women Mother Jones: Union organizer and hell raiser –Union: Knights of Labor –Organized miners and steel workers to strike for better working conditions Veteran labor organizer “Mother” Mary Jones, age 88, urges steel workers to vote “Yes” for a strike against the steel corporations.

Expanded Role for Government Municipal Reforms –Home Rule: allowed cities to escape domination by state governments controlled by political machines –Commission Form of Government: created a 5-member board of city administrators (Ex. Galveston) –Regulation of Utilities: used to take power away from monopolies –Providing Welfare Services Free Kindergartens, lodging for homeless, public baths, parks and work relief programs

State Reforms = MORE POWER TO THE VOTERS Party leaders choose candidates for state and local offices State legislatures choose U.S. Senators Only members of the state legislature can introduce bills Only courts or the legislature can remove corrupt officials Direct Primaries: Voters select their party’s candidates 17 th Amendment: U.S. Senators are elected by popular vote Initiative: Voters can put bills before the legislature Referendum: Voters can vote on bills directly Recall: Voters can remove elected officials from office BEFORE REFORMAFTER REFORM

Robert M. La Follette Wisconsin’s Reform Governor –“Fighting Bob” –Vowed to clean up government and produce social welfare programs Ousted party bosses Started a direct primary in Wisconsin

Assignment Work on completing the Muckraker and Progressive Era Legislation Handout