Progressivism

Era of Progressivism Progressivism: action-oriented political response to industrialization and its social by-products: Immigrants’ suffering urban growth growth of corporate power widening class divisions Differed from Populism: urban movement, not agrarian Never cohesive, aided by intellectuals, journalists, unionists, socialists

The “Social Gospel” Social Gospel Progressives believed that Belief that Christians should work for social reform Belief that desire for wealth had led to corrupted some Americans Belief that society must take responsibility for the poor and less fortunate Progressives believed that government should actively defend average people from power of corporations and the rich Capitalist system was good, but could be fairer government could improve society

Jane Addams and Hull House Jane Addams founded “Hull House,” a settlement house in Chicago Worked to improve living conditions for Chicago immigrants University women provided services to poor immigrants Education, day care, medical care Advocated for first public play ground in Chicago Worked for a child labor law, women’s suffrage, occupational safety, mandatory education, and immigrant rights Eventually became 13 buildings

Ending Child Labor 1893: Hull House worker Florence Kelly led Illinois to outlaw child labor 1904: She founded the National Child Labor Committee to pressure states to outlaw child labor By 1912, 39 states had outlawed child labor By 1930, half of US children attended high school By 1915, 48 states had separate juvenile courts: help young delinquents

Jeanette Rankin, first female representative Women’s Suffrage 1848: Seneca Falls conference women demanded right to vote National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) worked toward national suffrage Some states gave women right to vote 1876: Wyoming 1893: Colorado! 1914: Montana elected a woman to the House of Representatives 1919: Congress passed 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, giving women full voting rights Jeanette Rankin, first female representative

Improving Life for Blacks Opposing views held by prominent Black leaders Booker T. Washington: Blacks should work hard and improve their conditions themselves Work with dignity, even if in low- paying agriculture “Accommodate” to the existing system W.E.B. Du Bois wanted to go further: Push hard for civil rights through political action Protest unfair treatment Fight for equality