Beginnings of the Progressive Era

America in 1900 Industrialization, urbanization, and immigration had changed America by 1900 These factors had turned the country into a major world economy However they also brought major problems

Effects of Business Businesses in industries such as railroads, steel production, and electric utilities became powerful monopolies that had no competition ▫Could raise prices wherever they wanted ▫Could abuse natural resources Corporate leaders saw wealth and power grow ▫Justified actions through social darwinism

Conditions for Workers Many worked 60 hour weeks in unsafe and unhealthy factories Made low wages ▫Women and children paid even less Could be fired at any time When workers tried to form unions to seek improvements they were often fired

Life in Cities Gap between rich and poor grew worse ▫Worse in cities Poor lived in slums filled with poverty, crime, crowding, and bad sanitation Housing was segregated social and economic class, race, and ethnicity ▫Formation of ghettoes

Government Reactions Federal, state, and local governments did little in response to these growing problems Industries faced few restrictions ▫Courts did nothing to stop unfair practices Political corruption made situation worse Supreme Court was inconsistent in these matters ▫Lochner v. New York – said a New York law limited bakers hours was unconstitutional ▫Muller v. Oregon – court said a law limited women to a 10 hour work day was constitutional because it protected their health  Actually kept women from getting better paying jobs

Characteristics of Progressives Influenced by Populists Populists were from country or small towns ▫Progressives were from cities Populists were farmers who focused on farm problems ▫Progressives were educated professionals with wide range of concerns Progressives showed power of middle class

Goals and Beliefs of Progressives Believed abuses of power by gov’t and businesses could be ended Technology and science could be used to improve American society ▫Business ▫Government ▫Education ▫Family life Capitalists who opposed socialism Thought government could and should correct abuses and protect rights

Opposition to Progressives Lots of business and political leaders opposed business regulation Believed in social Darwinism that wealth and power in America were a result of scientific forces you couldn’t fix Lots of people didn’t benefit from Progressives ▫African Americans ▫Asian Immigrants ▫Native Americans

Helping the Progressives Worked with national volunteer organizations Movements began in cities Could communicate better with new technologies New media helped spread ideas Good economy helped as profits, wages, and employment all rose ▫Farmers doing well too Money to put towards reform