Ch.5 Overview Time Frame - 1889 to 1920 Sec.1 - Roots of Progressivism Sec.2 - Roosevelt in Office Sec. 3 - Taft Administration Sec. 4 - The Wilson Years
Roots of Progressivism Chapter 5, Section 1
Big Idea During the late 1800’s, Americans AGAIN became concerned with social problems in the United States. Progressives focused on a variety of issues and how to fix them. Some believed that government should solve the problems of society, while others believe that science and business held the answers. Many progressives focused on improving government by making it more democratic or efficient. Others joined in the suffrage movement working to gain the right to vote for women. Others focused on child labor, welfare, and prohibition.
Progressivism Wanted to fix many of the problems in society Believed Industrialization & Urbanization problems Progressives were = educated, middle class, journalists, social workers, teachers, politicians & clergy
Progressive Beginnings Progressivism was a reaction to unregulated markets, businesses, & laissez-faire economy Reformers saw the filth & crime of urban city Felt govt couldn’t fix it, because govt needed fixing its self They had faith things could change because Strong faith in science & technology
Muckrakers Writers – investigated social conditions Uncovered corruption & scandals Wrote in magazines e.g. McClure’s & Colliers about the oil, beef industry & govt. Ida Tarbell wrote about Standard Oil corruption in McClure’s mag. Jacob Riis was a Muckraker
Jacob Riis – focused on the issues immigrants faced Living Conditions Rent = 5cents week Working Conditions
$800.00 yr to support a family of 4 Factory worker = $14.00 week Had to work 110 hrs/week to make 800.00 a year!!
Child Labor 1900 – 1.7 Mil. Children working (Under 16yrs old) Muckraker John Spargo – wrote about coal mines where 9yr olds worked picking slag from coal .60 cents = 10 hr dy Backs bent permanently / crippled hands Fought to get laws passed for min age / Max hours work Change education laws children to be in school not work
Women in the Workplace Most women worked as Laundresses / servants Worked hard hours – 7:30am to 6:30pm “In Season” Hours ranged from 6:30am to 9:00pm NO Overtime Pay / No “Supper Money” Signs left on the Elevator door as workers were leaving for the day on Saturday evening would state” = “If you don’t come in on Sunday, you don’t need to com in on Monday”.
Health and Safety Codes 1911 - Triangle Shirtwaist co. Fire / 150 people died / Led NY to pass building codes Led to Min. standard for light, air, room size, sanitation, fire escapes, etc. Injured workers = Workman’s compensation laws Zoning Laws = Separation of commercial and residential zoning
New Codes Regulations for : Room size Fire escapes Light Air Commercial / residential zoning laws
Women’s Suffrage & Social Progressivism
Suffrage Movement Suffrage = Right to vote Many women were accused of being unfeminine or immoral Many were physically attacked Felt the 14th and 15th Amendment should include women Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony – Suffrage Leaders By 1900 - Few States granted women the right to vote: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho
Suffrage Movement cont... 1910 – National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Convinced many women to get involved / Vote = Change Only way to get social reforms needed – Organized marches / speeches / lobbying lawmakers End of 1912 – Oregon, California, Arizona, & Kansas granted women right to vote (Western States)
19th Amendment Push on Pres. Wilson: Alice Paul (Quaker Social Worker & Ph.D)– Jailed many times for demonstrations Picketed Whitehouse, blocked sidewalks, chained to lampposts, & hunger strikes if arrested. 1918 – House of Rep. passed Women’s suffrage Bill / failed Senate by 2 votes Aug 26, 1919 – Senate passed Bill - 19th Amendment = granting women right to vote
Questions??
Prohibition Movement Alcohol blamed for problems Money spent on alcohol Led to abuse Anti-saloon league 18th Amendment = Prohibition= banning the sale, consumption, or manufacture of alcohol