The Progressive Era @1877-1920

The Progressive Movement During the Gilded Age, rapid growth led to many economic, social, and political problems. Opposition to these problems led to the rise of the Progressive Movement. Progressives were a diverse group of people, united by the ideals of influencing the world around them in a positive way. These ideals resulted in a reform movement meant to influence a positive change in government, business, and urban living conditions. *Reform means “change.”*

Two Movements Emerge during the Gilded Age Populist Movement Progressive Movement Developed in Rural Areas Represented interests of farmers/ lower income people Developed in Urban Areas Represented industrial working class/middle class people Both movements had a goal to initiate progress. Both were successful though Progressive is the more “famous” movement and gets most of the credit for the reforms of this era.

Describe the problems addressed by the Progressive movement Industrialization - unsafe working conditions - unscrupulous business practices - trusts and monopolies - low wages - long hours, - child labor Immigration - prejudice and discrimination Urbanization - crowded living conditions - tenements Political - spoils system - political machines, e.g., Boss Tweed - political corruption

Muckrakers To bring about change, reformers first had to ignite public anger. A major weapon was the Press. Newspaper reporters visited the slums and described the horrible conditions that existed there. They photographed shocking images of young children working. They wrote novels revealing gruesome details of the meatpacking industry. These individuals who wrote about the evils of society, economics, and politics were called Muckrakers. They worked to change public opinion with the hope that the public would force the government to take action against the ills of society. See the info graphic on the next page to see who gave them this name and his opinion on muckraking.

“There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or businessman, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful.”

Explain the role of individuals and groups in focusing public attention on the social and economic problems of the era Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in 1905 to expose labor abuses in the meat packing industry. But it was food, not labor, that most concerned the public. Sinclair's horrific descriptions of the industry led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, not to labor legislation. I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach. -Upton Sinclair, on the public reaction to his book, The Jungle Visit the following website. Read the 2nd quote and its analysis to understand why he “hit it in the stomach.” http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/jungle/quotes.html

Click on the links below to examine the impact of women on the Progressive Movement Women’s Suffrage Temperance Movement Settlement Houses

African Americans during the Progressive Era Problems they Faced How did African American Leaders Respond to segregation and discrimination? Discrimination unequal opportunities in housing, work, education, and government Plessy v. Ferguson (Separate but equal) the beginning of Jim Crow Laws and legal segregation limits on the right to vote poll tax literacy tests

Political Corruption existed at all levels during the Gilded Age. Thomas Nast was a political cartoonist. He made Boss Tweed the subject of many of his cartoons. He sought to expose political corruption. Boss Tweed did not mind people writing about him, but he hated the cartoons. I don't care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don't know how to read, but they can't help seeing them damned pictures. -Boss Tweed Nast Takes on Tweed http://blog.mcny.org/2013/09/24/thomas-nast- takes-down-tammany-a-cartoonists-crusade- against-a-political-boss/

Reforms at State Level Reform governors such as Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Robert M. LaFollete of Wisconsin, and Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, all helped get reforms passed in their respective states. In addition, reforms first proposed by the Populist Party were enacted in order to make state governments more responsive to the needs of the people.

Reforms at the National Level (Constitutional Amendments) 16th 17th 18th 19th To provide a stable base of income for the Federal Government while providing graduated taxation, the 16th Amendment was passed. Political machines were weakened by the passage of the 17th Amendment which allowed state citizens to directly elect representatives to the U.S. Senate, instead of allowing party-controlled state legislatures to do so. In addition, the Temperance Movement and the Women's Suffrage Movement finally paid off with the passage of the 18th Amendment and the 19th Amendment.

A Symbol of the Progressive Era Why was Theodore Roosevelt considered a symbol of the Progressive Era? Watch the short video (4 min)