Origins of progressivism 1901-1917

Origins of the Progressive Era Progressivism represented a common desire to improve life in the industrial age Most Progressives were not radicals Shared goals of limiting power of big business Improve democracy for the people Strengthen social justice Achieving these goals required a more active role by the federal govt. The Progressive Era ultimately improved quality of life, provided a larger role for regular citizens in the democratic process, and established a precedent for a more active role for the federal govt.

Origins of the Progressive era Had its origins in the state reforms of 1880s-1890s Picked up national momentum after Theodore Roosevelt was elected in 1901 U.S. entry into WWI diverted public attention away from the movement But not before major regulatory laws had been achieved

Attitudes & Motives behind the Progressive Movement Middle-class Americans were becoming more alarmed by: Rising power of big business Uncertainty of U.S. business cycle Increasing income gap Violent conflicts between labor and employers Dominance of corrupt political machines Who were the Progressives? Protestant church leaders African Americans Union leaders Feminists Encompassed a belief that society badly needed changes, and the govt. was the agency needed to correct these social and economic problems

Middle and Professional Class progressives Most progressives were middle-class men and women who lived in the cities Members of the elite business and upper class took their civic responsibilities seriously Belonged to business and professional associations that were trying to address corrupt business and govt. practices Also tried to address urban social and economic problems

Religious Progressives Protestant churches began preaching a code of social responsibility This aspect of the Progressive Movement got its start in the Social Gospel Movement Many Protestants felt their central role in American society had been replaced by wealthy industrialists and political machines

Leadership in the progressive movement Without strong leadership, the diverse forces of the Progressive Movement wouldn’t have been able to achieve their goals Theodore Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, Woodrow Wilson all provided the political leadership that had been lacking during the Gilded Age The Progressives (like early reformists) were committed to democratic values and a shared belief in honest government, just laws

Pragmatism Major changes in science (Darwinism) and academia challenged the way Americans thought and reasoned about society Prevailing philosophy of romanticism, abstract ideals gave way to pragmatism People should take a pragmatic, or practical, approach to morals, ideals, and knowledge Should experiment with ideas and laws, and test them in action until they find something that would produce a well-functioning society Instead of rely on ideas like the “invisible hand” of the economy or Social Darwinism

The Muckrakers Before the public could get on board with reform, they needed to actually be aware/informed of the scandals/corruption in business, industry, and politics Newspapers and magazines discovered their readers loved to hear about underhanded schemes in politics Many publications began featuring in-depth investigative stories into these issues Writers specializing in such stories were referred to as “muckrakers” by President Roosevelt

Origins of the Muckrakers Earliest muckraker was Chicago report Henry Demarest Lloyd 1881: Lloyd wrote a series of articles attacking the practices of Standard Oil Co. and the railroads 1884: Wealth Against Commonwealth fully exposed the corruption and greed of the oil monopoly But failed to suggest how to control it

Magazines and muckrakers McClure’s became a major success by publishing muckraking articles by Lincoln Steffens (Boss Tweed, political machines) and Ida M. Tarbell (Standard Oil Co.) Stories combined careful research with sensationalism McClure’s, Collier’s, and Cosmopolitan competed fiercely to outdo their rivals with shocking exposes and investigations of political, economic scandal Most popular series of articles were usually collected, published as best-selling books

The Decline of muckraking Popularity of muckraking articles/books declined due to several factors: Writers found it more and more difficult to top the last sensationalist story Publishers were facing pressure from banks and advertisers to tone down their treatment of businesses Corporations started becoming more aware of their public image created a new career field in the form of public relations Muckraking still had a lasting effect on the Progressive era It exposed the inequities, educated the public about corruption in politics and business, and paved the way for corrective action in regards to these issues

? How did the middle-upper classes get involved in the Progressive movement? How did religious organizations and Protestant churches get involved in the Progressive movement? What is the significance of pragmatism? Who were the “muckrakers?” Why did the popularity of muckraking articles and stories eventually decline?