The Progressive Era 1890-1920

The Origins of Progressivism Problems with industrialization (unemployment, unsafe working conditions, child labor, political corruption, etc.) Many argued that government had to become more involved Reformer individuals wanted many social welfare programs Many reformers (aka muckrakers) would investigate issues of concern and publicize results to put pressure on legislators at the local, state, and national levels

Four Goals of Progressivism Protecting Social Welfare (Social Gospel Movement and Settlement House Movement) Promoting Moral Improvement and Political Reform (Prohibition and Voting Reform) Creating Economic Reform (American Socialist Party organized in 1901; anti-big business policies) Fostering Efficiency (in society and in the workplace; led to shorter worker days and better management)

Local Reform Examples Change corrupt city politics (“Political Machine” corruption) Natural Disaster Relief Reform Mayors encouraged involvement of everyone and enacted many socialist ideas

State Reform Examples Regulation (of the RRs, mines, mills, telephone co.s, and other large businesses) Reform Governors (Robert M. La Follette of WI) Attacking Child Labor State Labor Departments and Laws (lower hours, workers’ compensation, benefits) Reforming Elections Initiative (a bill originated by the people) Referendum (a vote on the initiative) Recall (voters can remove public officials from elected positions through requesting another vote before the end of their term) Direct Election of Senators (17th amendment - 1913)

National Reforms Examples Under the Progressive Presidents Theodore Roosevelt – Republican/Progressive Party (1901-1909) William Howard Taft – Republican (1909-1913) Woodrow Wilson –Democrat (1913-1921)

Theodore Roosevelt Background & personality Square Deal Health Trust busting Arbitration RR regulation Health 1906 Meat Inspection Act 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act Environment Conservation John Muir (Preservationist) v. Gifford Pinchot (Conservationist) 1916 National Park Service Civil Rights Not a champion for civil rights 1909 NAACP formed

William Howard Taft Background & personality Taft v. Roosevelt in style Progressives turn against Taft and the Rep. Party Splits The election of 1912 Wilson’s (D) New Freedom Taft’s (R) Conservatism Roosevelt’s Progressivism Eugene V. Debs’s Socialism

Woodrow Wilson Background & personality Financial Reform Clayton Antitrust Act 1914 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Underwood Act 1913 to Lower Tariff’s (cost of foreign goods) Federal Income Tax Federal Reserve System Suffrage for Women with the 19th Amendment in 1920 Wilson’s Record on Civil Rights

Women in Public Life Victorian Era Expectations Private v. Public Sphere Before 1900’s, women were viewed in society as Weak and fragile Emotionally and mentally unstable Motherly Saints Their place was in the home Sexually Pure Incapable of making their own decisions

Women in Public Life Cont. Demands of Women During the Progressive Era… Career Choices The Vote (aka suffrage) Equal Pay for equal work Control of property and income Equal access to education An end to domestic violence

Limits of Progressivism Limited reforms for African American and other minority groups Most changes were observed in urban areas WWI and rising international concerns thwarted the continuation of progressive reforms on a mass national scale. Many unresolved progressive issues were, however, addressed after the Great Depression of the 1930’s under FDR’s New Deal