1. TOPIC 4: America Comes of Age (1890-1920)
Lesson 1 Progressives Drive Reform

2. Learning Objectives
Identify the causes of Progressivism and compare it to Populism.
Analyze the role that journalists and novelists played in the Progressive Movement.
Evaluate some of the social reforms that Progressives tackled.
Explain what Progressives hoped to achieve through political reforms.

3. The Progressive Era Begins
Positives of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration (examples?)
Also created social problems (examples?)
New group of reformers= Progressives (liberals)
Focused on changing society through reforms (social, economic and political) use honest/efficient government to help change society
Similarities to the Populists: focused on changing corrupt government and ending abuses by big businesses
Different to the Populists: middle class vs. farmers (and some workers)

4. The Progressive Era Begins
Progressives focused on a wide range of reforms:
Political reform (national, state and local government) end corruption and political machines
Cities needed adequate services (water, sewer, housing etc.)
Women’s right to vote
“bust the trusts;” wanted increase in smaller businesses for competition
Reduce gap between rich and poor government intervention to increase social welfare regulations

5. During the Progressive Era, volunteers like this one from the Salvation Army helped those less fortunate in many ways.

6. The Impact of Muckrakers
Socially conscious journalists/writers dramatized the need for reform
Sensational investigative reports uncovered a range of problems affecting America in the early 1900s
Theodore Roosevelt nicknamed them “muckrackers”
Jacob Riis 1890: “How the Other Half Lives”
Lincoln Steffens 1902: “The Shame of the Cities”
Ida Tarbell 1902: “Mother of Trusts”
David G. Phillips 1906: “The Treason of the Senate”
John Spargo 1906: “The Bitter Cry of Children”
Upton Sinclair 1906: The Jungle

8. Reformers Impact Society
Social Gospel-Christianity should be basis of reform
Follow Bible teachings to make society “the kingdom of God”
Settlement houses- improve lives of poor/immigrants in the cities
Jane Addams (Hull House in Chicago) social work

9. Reformers Impact Society
National Child Labor Committee (Florence Kelley) 1902
Education reform mandatory schooling
Workplace reform: lack of worker protection laws
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 1911 (146 workers died)
Workers’ compensation laws, safety laws enacted on a state level

11. Analyze Information How did child labor laws affect children's employment levels during the Progressive Era?

12. Progressive Reforms Impact Government
Local government reform= end power of political machines and business interests
1900 Galveston Plan= replace mayor/board of aldermen with 5 person commission after devastating hurricane
Each commissioner had expertise in specific area (sewers, safety etc.)
More responsive to the people’s needs instead of bosses/business

13. Progressive Reforms Impact Government
The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 destroyed countless structures, such as this public school.

14. Progressive Reforms Impact Government
State government reform:
direct primary elections
initiatives
referendums
recall
campaign finance reform
Australian ballot (Populist idea)
Direct election of US Senators achieved with 17th amendment (Populist idea)

15. Progressive Reforms Impact Government
Analyze Information What was the most significant Progressive election reform? Cite two pieces of information to support your answer.

16. Quiz: The Progressive Era Begins
What common belief did all Progressives share?
A. They wanted to improve labor conditions for factory workers.
B. They wanted to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.
C. They wanted to create more opportunities for small businesses.
D. They wanted to correct the injustices of urban industrial society.

17. Quiz: The Impact of Muckrakers
Why did Theodore Roosevelt call socially conscious writers “muckrakers”?
A. He considered their literature to be poorly written.
B. He thought that their investigations were unpatriotic.
C. He acknowledged their focus on the difficulties of urban life.
D. He disagreed with their criticisms of social and political conditions.

18. Quiz: Reformers Impact Society
What was the purpose of settlement houses?
A. to provide health services for minorities
B. to provide social services to the urban poor
C. to provide resources for mistreated women
D. to provide charitable housing to the homeless

19. Quiz: Progressive Reforms Impact Government
What was the impact of the Galveston Plan?
A. It decreased the size and efficiency of local governments.
B. It gave utility companies the power to charge higher rates.
C. It limited the power of bosses and corrupt political systems.
D. It developed new infrastructure to survive natural disasters.