A New and Better America? Progressive Movement A New and Better America?

Change is Progress The Progressive Movement an effort to cure many of the ills of American society that had developed during the great spurt of industrial growth in the last quarter of the 19th century. The frontier had been tamed, great cities and businesses developed, and an overseas empire established, but not all citizens shared in the new wealth, prestige, and optimism.

Reform is not new to America Abolition, Treatment of Mentally Ill, Public Education Early Reformers focused on these things Post Civil War industrialization brought new problems to society The struggle for women's rights and the temperance movement were the initial issues addressed. A farm movement also emerged to compensate for the declining importance of rural areas in an increasingly urbanized America. Progressivism was rooted in the belief, that man was capable of improving the lot of all within society Rejection of Social Darwinism,

Change for the better Progressivism was also imbued with strong political overtones Specific goals included: The desire to remove corruption and undue influence from government through the taming of bosses and political machines; the effort to include more people more directly in the political process; the conviction that government must play a role to solve social problems and establish fairness in economic matters.

Change for the better The success of Progressivism owed much to publicity generated by the muckrakers writers who detailed the horrors of poverty urban slums dangerous factory conditions child labor Progressives never spoke with one mind differed sharply over the most effective means to deal with the ills generated by the trusts some favored an activist approach to trust-busting, others preferred a regulatory approach.

Change for the better A vocal minority supported socialism with government ownership of the means of production Other Progressive reforms followed in the form of a conservation movement railroad legislation food and drug laws.

Progressive reforms were carried out not only on the national level Prominent governors devoted to change included Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin and Hiram Johnson of California. Local Government Reforms: direct primary secret ballot Initiative Referendum Recall Local governments were strengthened by the widespread use of trained professionals, particularly with the city manager system replacing the all-too-frequently corrupt mayoral system.

Success and Failure The Progressive spirit also was evident in new amendments added to the Constitution 16th Amendment Income Tax 17th Amendment Direct election of senators 18th Amendment Prohibition of alcohol 19th Amendment Women’s Suffrage Urban problems were addressed by professional social workers Operated settlement houses as a means to protect and improve the prospects of the poor. However, efforts to place limitations on child labor were routinely thwarted by the courts. The needs of blacks and Native Americans were poorly served or served not at all — a major shortcoming of the Progressive Movement.