The Progressive Movement 1890-1920 The Rise of Progressivism

Who were the Progressives? Not an organized political movement with a specific set of reforms believed that industrialization and urbanization created many social problems believed that government should take a more active role in solving society’s problems Progressives were generally urban educated middle class and belonged to both parties (teachers, social workers)

An urban reform demanded most frequently by city dwellers was the reform and professionalization of city police forces. Here, one of New York City's Finest poses for the camera in 1907

Beginnings of Progressivism Partly a reaction to Laissez Faire and unregulated economy The Progressives believed that first you needed to fix the government then fix society Progressives had a strong faith in science and technology, using scientific principles could produce solutions for society

Progressive Movement Social problems in rural (country) and urban (city) settings gave rise to third-party movements and the beginning of the Progressive period. The "bathroom" in a New York City cold-water tenement flat. As many as 150 people and two shops on the bottom level filled each building. Toilets like this, four per floor, were communal, and were located near and vented into the air shaft that served the inner apartments as their only source of light and air. 1905 photo.

Muckrakers -Crusading journalists who investigated social conditions and political corruption; the muckrakers were the first to talk of progressive ideals Ida Tarbell- published a series of articles critical of Standard Oil in McClure’s Jacob Riis- wrote “How the Other Half Live”- described how crime, poverty, and disease affected neighborhoods in New York City

Muckrakers – writers that exposed wrongdoings In business and politics Examples: trusts (oil, beef and tobacco), prison conditions, exploitation of natural resources, the tax system, the insurance industry, pension practices and food processing, among others. Ida Tarbell – Journalist, revealed the abuses by Standard Oil Trust (Rockefeller) Upton Sinclair – wrote “The Jungle”, exposed the meat packing industry Meat Inspection Act of 1907 is passed as A result of the book. Lincoln Steffens – uncovered political corruption in St. Louis and other cities

Triangle Shirtwaist fire

The bodies piled up on the sidewalk

Aftermath inside

Identifying the bodies

……Another

Making Government Efficient Many Progressives believed that if government worked properly then many problems in society would fade away Companies could be more efficient by managing time, breaking big tasks into smaller ones, and using standardized tools The mayor or city council chose who would be heads of city departments. Usually the people chosen were friends or supporters who knew little of city management

AFTER REFORM….POWER MOVES TO VOTERS!!!! BEFORE REFORM Party leaders choose candidates for state & local offices Direct Primaries - Voters select their party's candidates State Legislatures choose U.S. Senators 17th Amendment - U.S. Senators are elected by popular vote Only members of the State Legislature can introduce bills Initiative - Voters can put bills before the Legislature Only Legislators pass bills Referendum - Voters can vote on bills directly Only courts or the legislature can remove corrupt officials Recall - Voters can remove elected officials from office AFTER REFORM….POWER MOVES TO VOTERS!!!!

Direct Election of Senators 16th Amendment 17th Amendment Income tax Direct Election of Senators Taxes income A progressive tax – more you make, the more you pay Before – State legislators chose After – people choose 18th Amendment 19th Amendment PROHIBITION WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE Supporters – Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony Who feared women voting? Liquor industry, anti-union leaders, anti-civil rights Supporters – Women’s Christian Temperance Movement Result – Organized Crime

The Suffrage Movement -Problems of Women’s Suffrage 1.) Accused of being unfeminine and immoral 2.) Congress passed the 14th and 15th Amendments 3.) The debate over the 14th and 15th amendment split the movement into two groups: a.) The National Women’s Suffrage Association- wanted to focus on passing a constitutional amendment allowing women’s suffrage The movement weakens

YWCA- A place for women to go for education, work habits

Social Welfare for Progressivism Campaign against child labor: - Reformers est. the NCLC in 1904 Building/Health codes: - Clean environment and sanitary conditions -Building inspections: light, air, fire safety Prohibition Movement: -No alcohol-Temperance Movement led by women and “Christians” - Believed that alcohol was responsible for societies problems

Discrimination Discrimination and segregation against African-Americans intensified and took new forms in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Racial segregation means separation of the races. After Reconstruction, Southern state governments passed “Jim Crow” laws, forcing separation of the races in public places. Different states passed these laws in different years, but by the early twentieth century all Southern states required racial segregation in public facilities and had denied most African-Americans the right to vote. These laws limited the freedoms of African-Americans who lived in the South.