initiative – process in which citizens put a proposed new law directly on the ballot referendum – process that allows citizens to reject or accept laws passed by their legislature recall – process by which voters can remove elected officials from office before their terms end Objectives Identify the causes of Progressivism. Analyze the role that journalists played in the Progressive Movement. Evaluate some of the social reforms that Progressives tackled. Explain what Progressives hoped to achieve through political reforms.

Progressivism – movement that responded to the pressures of industrialization and urbanization by promoting reforms muckraker – writer who uncovers and exposes misconduct in politics or business Lincoln Steffens – muckraking author of Shame of the Cities; exposed corruption in urban government Jacob Riis – muckraking photographer and author of How The Other Half Lives; exposed the condition of the urban poorJane Addams – leader in the settlement house movement settlement house – community center that provided services for the urban poor Social Gospel – belief that following Christian principles could bring about social justice direct primary – allowed voters to select candidates rather than having them selected by party leaders

10.1 Progressive Reform

What areas did Progressives want to reform most? Progressivism: responded to the pressures of industrialization & urbanization by promoting reforms in 1890-1900. -Progressives believed that honest & efficient govt could bring about social justice. -Progressives were mainly from the emerging middle class. They wanted to end corruption. They tried to make government more responsive to people’s needs. They believed that educated leaders should use modern ideas and scientific techniques to improve society.

Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities Progressives issues: Muckrakers used investigative reporting to uncover &dramatize societal ills: corrupt political machines trusts and monopolies inequities safety city services women’s suffrage Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle provided a shocking look at Chicago meatpacking. muckraker – writer who exposed misconduct in govt/business, thus showing the need to reform Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities John Spargo The Bitter Cry of the Children Ida Tarbell The History of Standard Oil Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie discussed factory conditions for working women. Frances Ellen Watkins’s Iola Leroy focused on racial issues. Frank Norris’s The Octopus centered on the tensions between farmers and the railroads.

Jacob Riis exposed the deplorable conditions poor people were forced to live under through his photography and in How the Other Half Lives. 6

Progressive reformers worked to change society. Jane Addams led the settlement house movement. Her urban community centers provided social services for immigrants & the poor. Christian reformers’ Social Gospel demanded a shorter work day & the end of child labor. 7

The United States Children’s Bureau was created in 1912. Progressives succeeded in reducing child labor and improving school enrollment. The United States Children’s Bureau was created in 1912. Skip 8

Worker safety was an important issue for Progressives. In the 1900s, the U.S. had the world’s highest rate of industrial accidents. In 1911, 146 workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Many young women jumped to their deaths or burned. skip Worker safety was an important issue for Progressives.

Government could not be controlled by political bosses and business interests. Government needed to be more efficient and more accountable to the people. To reform society, Progressives realized they must also reform government. skip

Cities and states experimented with new methods of governing. In Wisconsin, Governor Robert M. La Follette and other Progressives reformed state government to restore political control to the people. direct primaries initiatives referendums recalls Progressive governors achieved state-level reforms of the railroads and taxes. 2 Progressive Governors, Theodore Roosevelt of NY & Woodrow Wilson of NJ, would become Progressive presidents. On the national level, in 1913, Progressives helped pass the 17th Amendment, providing for the direct election of United States Senators.

Amanda Theodosia Jones (1835–1914),poet/inventor. invented the vacuum process for canning food in 1872. She founded a canning company in 1890. Jones believed canning was the preserve of women (pun very much intended), & insisted it be run by women only. It turns out that she was a better inventor than business woman; the company was short-lived.