The Emergence of Modern America The Progressive Era

Progressive Movement Progressivism: lasted from mid-1890s through World War I Progressivism was a set of attitudes as well as a definable movement Reflected worry about the state of society and social issues A spirit of hopefulness and confidence in human progress

Focus of the Progressive Movement 1. Political - aimed to return control of the government to the people 2. Economic - restore economic opportunities 3. Social - correct injustices in American life 4. Moral - Stressed individual morality and collective action

Progressivism Characteristics 1. Concern about the effects of industrialization and the conditions of industrial life 2. Fundamental optimism about human nature (investigate, educate and legislate)

Progressivism Characteristics 3. Willingness to intervene in people’s lives 4. Used government at all levels 5. Looked to change the environment

Muckrakers Journalists who wrote about the corrupt side of business in mass circulation magazines Ida Tarbell Jacob Riis Upton Sinclair

Ida Tarbell attacked Standard Oil Oligopoly – the control of commodity or service by a small number of large powerful companies The History of Standard Oil led to the outlawing of monopolies in the United States

Jacob Riis Photo journalist Book “How the Other Half Lives” Riis was successful in awakening public awareness to the plight of New York's tenement

Jacob Riis

Upton Sinclair “The Jungle” Revealed the despair of immigrants working in Chicago’s stockyards and revealed the unsanitary conditions of the industry.

The Jungle Turn to page 556 – read the excerpt form The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

A Modern Progressive President Teddy Roosevelt - “Square Deal” Teddy Roosevelt - “Square Deal” ◦ ◦Assertive, loud New York Governor – moved into VP position by Political Machine to get him out of NY  Became president when McKinley assassinated ◦Managed Natural Resources  National Park Systems & Reserves ◦Supervised Big Business  Passed Sherman Anti-Trust Act  Battled Monopolies  Arbitration of Strikes ◦Protected Consumers  Meat Inspection & Pure Food & Drug Acts

Progressive President #2 William Taft William Taft ◦ ◦Attacked trusts  Standard Oil & American Tobacco ◦Expanded National Forests ◦Supported Workplace Safety Laws ◦Established Children’s Bureau

Progressive President #3 Woodrow Wilson – “Wilson’s New Freedom” Woodrow Wilson – “Wilson’s New Freedom” ◦ ◦Ran against Teddy Roosevelt w/ Bull Moose Party ◦Supported by Party Bosses, but attacked political corruption after elected ◦“New Freedom” reduced tariffs, reformed banks, regulated trusts, protected workers

Political Cartoons The Gilded Age became known for both prosperity and social ills. The Progressive Era advocated a wide range of reforms. Many “Muckrakers” created political cartoons to depict the issues of the time period. Analyze 4 out of the 6 political cartoons using the Cartoon Analysis Guide

“ The Octopus,” 1904

“The Bosses of the Senate,” 1890

“The Robber Barons of Today,” 1889

Your Turn Create a political cartoon that focuses on one of the issues of the Progressive Era. Look at Chapter 17 in your book for ideas. Your cartoon must be neat and it must be colored. On the back of your cartoon write an explanation of the meaning of your cartoon. Be ready to share with the class.