The Progressive Era 1890-1920 The Background

Era of Reform The Progressive Era was the second great period of reform in the U.S. 20th Century Progressivism was a spirit of reform that aimed to correct the abuses of corrupt government and big business. Most Progressives were middle class, urban professionals. In one sense, we can say that Progressivism was a reaction to the modernization of America.

Progressivism emphasized that the federal and state governments should play an active role in improving the lives of all citizens. It was the government’s job, Progressives said, to become involved in the lives of the people to ensure the improvement in the quality of American life.

Muckraking Contributing heavily to the movement were so-called “Muckrakers.” The term, coined by Teddy Roosevelt, was used to describe journalists that strived to uncover the truth by exposing the evils of business, government and society. There were many famous muckrakers…the following is a short list of the most notable ones…

Photographer, Jacob Riis A Danish immigrant who came to the U.S. at age 21 Wrote and provided pictures for How the Other Half Lives, an expose of life among slum children in New York City. Riis was Teddy Roosevelt’s friend and adviser. He was, as T.R. said, “the best American I ever knew.” “Pictures speak 1,000 words”

Author, Lincoln Steffens A California muckraker who wrote The Shame of the Cities, a critical look at municipal corruption. Steffens later became sympathetic to the Bolshevik Revolution and still later advocated for Communism.

Daughter/Author, Ida Tarbell Her father owned a small oil business that was put out of business by John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company When Ida grew older, she exacted her revenge on Rockefeller by writing A History of Standard Oil Company, which exposed the unfair and unethical methods of business monopolies.

Author, Upton Sinclair His book, The Jungle exposed the ills and evils of the meat packing industry. Only a dozen of the 308 pages deal with horrors, but those pages were enough to make Americans demand change. Sinclair, slightly amused by the reaction, said, “I aimed at the public’s heart, and hit it in the stomach”.

The Core Beliefs of Progressives Four Steps to a New Nation

#1: Increase in Direct Democracy Direct Democracy: When individual voters are afforded the chance to vote on decisions the affect them. These decisions include, but are not limited to: The election of candidates running for office (before, it was politicians already in power who chose candidates for office.) Anything the people get to vote on; not the representatives they elected into office

Initiative petition: if a certain number of voters sign a petition asking for a certain law, the question will be put on the ballot. Referendum: allows voters to express their opinions on certain important questions by placing those issues on the ballot. Recall: allows voters to remove an elected official before his term has expired. A certain number of voters must sign a recall petition. Once this is accomplished, a special election is held to fill that person’s office. All of these are still in effect today. When was the last time Middleboro passed around an initiative petition, had a referendum, was granted a recall?

17th Amendment Direct Election of Senators: until the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was passed during the Progressive Era, each state’s 2 U.S. Senators were elected by the state legislature, not directly by the voters. The 17th Amendment allows the people to directly elect the U.S. Senate.

#2: Efficiency in Business and Government Progressives followed the ideas of Frederick W. Taylor, the first “efficiency expert” in history. Taylor specialized in analyzing the efficient management of time and costs. Wasting time and resources was seen not only as uneconomical, but also harmful to progressive society.

Progressives also argued for city managers (instead of mayors) who would be trained in public administration and thus be well qualified to run a city. Although not elected, these managers would be hired and fired by elected municipal councils, so they would be at least indirectly responsive to the wishes of the voters.

#3: Regulation of Big Business Progressives argued that the federal government should step in and take a bigger role in regulating business. Monopolies and unfair business practices hurt both workers and consumers. Therefore it was the government’s job to see that the public good was looked after. This came in the area of breaking up monopolies, as well as forcing companies to care about safety in the workplace and proper wages.

#4: Social Justice The Progressives wanted child labor laws, banning the employment of underage children (underage depended on the state; usually between 12-16 years old). They also tried to improve the working conditions and safety requirements for children at work. The enforcement of these laws was not good or consistent.

The Progressives wanted improvement of working conditions for all workers. The need for this was illustrated in the “Triangle Shirtwaist Co. Fire of 1911”. The disaster killed 146 employees; most were young girls who jumped from the burning building. The Progressives wanted workman’s compensation for workers injured on the job.

Some Progressives argued for social reforms like Prohibition Some Progressives argued for social reforms like Prohibition. The Saloon League, for example, was one of the first single issue lobby groups. Finally, Progressives wanted an active government that served as an agent of public service. They emphasized direct service: good roads, public health, conservation etc…