1. The Roots of Progressivism
Chapter 8 - Section 1
The Roots of Progressivism

2. The Rise of Progressivism
Major Cause:
Our government backed off of businesses and let them do as they pleased…
What problems resulted?
Progressivism was an attempt to fix the wrongs occurring in society.

3. Who were the Progressives?
Most Participants were:
Urban
Educated
Middle class citizens
Their Beliefs:
Gov’t needed to take a larger role in society
Strong faith in science and technology
Focused on social, economic, & political reform

4. The Muckrackers
Journalists that investigated social conditions and political corruption.
Printed stories in cheap newspapers.
Jacob Riis was one of the most famous
Published photos and descriptions of the poverty, disease, and crime in his book How the Other Half Lives
Made Americans aware of the problems they could not see.

5. Muckraker Images

6. Muckraker Images

7. Muckraker Images

8. Muckraker Images

9. Homework: Think like a Progressive
Think about society today – what is wrong?
Generate a list of 5 things that need to be fixed in society / politics / economy today.
Explain a possible solution to help correct each issue.

10. Reforming Government
Before 1903 candidates for office were nominated by a few delegates (representatives from a political party)
This led to corruption as the delegates would only nominate candidates that would give them things (bribes).
This also made it difficult for outsiders to get nominated to represent their party

11. Reforming Government Progressives fought for change
Direct Primaries – ALL party members could vote for a candidate to run in the general election.
example: Everybody that was a registered democrat could now vote for their choice to represent the democratic party in an election

12. Reforming Government
Progressives also fought for other reforms to reduce corruption in the political system:
INITIATIVE– permits citizens to introduce legislation to get placed on a ballot for vote .
This is done through a petition
(lots of signatures)
Once on a ballot, the general public gets to vote on its acceptance.
Ex “Bottle Bill” - 10¢ return

13. Reforming Government
REFERENDUM– Allows citizens to vote on legislation instead of the representatives.
Typically used with Amendments to State Constitutions and with local bonds (as with schools)
This is different from an initiative in that the people don’t originate the measure they are voting on.

14. Reforming Government
RECALL– Provides voters an option to remove an elected official from office before his or her term expired.
All three of these
(initiative, referendum, and recall)
were solutions by progressives to clean up the corruption in local and state governments.

15. Direct Election of Senators
Originally the Constitution was written to allow the state legislature to elect two senators to congress. Political machines often influenced these elections (corruption)
17th Amendment to the US Constitution!
Direct Election of Senators to be done by the people, NOT by party bosses in the legislature and businesses leaders.

16. Reforming Society CHILD LABOR
Industrialization moved kids from farm work to factory work
Owners liked kids: more manageable, cheaper, and less likely to strike
Kids worked 10 hour days for 60 cents
Their work permanently bent their backs and hands
Called for free public education for all kids

18. Reforming Society Health & Safety Codes
Progressives pushed for payment if you are hurt/killed on the job
Zoning laws – sectioned off cities
Building Codes – air, sanitation, size, fire escapes
Health Codes - restaurants
Lochner v. New York (1905)
Sup. Ct. said that it was unconstitutional to limit the working day to 10 hours.
The state has no right interfering with the liberty of bosses and workers.
Muller v. Oregon (1908)
Sup. Ct. upheld the states decision to limit the working hrs. of women – healthy mothers are essential to protect the citizens

19. The Triangle Shirtwaist Co.
The top three stories of a ten story building
Employed 500 immigrant workers
Employees:
12-14 years old
14 hour shifts = 60 – 72 hour work weeks
$7.00 / week (1911) = $ / week (2006)
Typical Conditions:
Fabric stored all throughout the building
Scraps of material covered the floors
Smoking was common – Gas lighting used
No fire extinguishers present

20. The Triangle Shirtwaist Co.
March 25, 1911
A fire broke out on the 8th floor
Word reached the 10th floor – but missed the 9th
The 9th floor had only two doors
One that was engulfed in flames and smoke
The other was LOCKED so workers couldn’t steal, take breaks, or meet with union reps.
Women began to panic and flee:
The fire escape was flimsy and broke off the wall
The elevator shafts stopped working
This left one other option…

21. The Triangle Shirtwaist Co.
Women jumped to their deaths
Down the elevator shafts
Out onto the streets
Firefighters didn’t have ladders past 6th floor
Falling bodies made it hard for anyone to get close
Death Toll = 148
The owners of the company were prosecuted
Families won $75.00 for deceased victims

27. Reforming Society The Prohibition Movement The Temperance Movement
Progressives blamed many problems on alcohol
Rent /Food money poorly spent
Often created physical violence and sickness
The Temperance Movement
Urging people to STOP or MODERATE alcohol
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
Prohibition
Laws completely banning the sale, manufacturing, and consumption of alcohol

28. Reforming Society Progressives v. Big Business
Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)
Breaking up business / monopolies to re-establish competition
Socialist Society
Gov’t will own and operate industry for the community to protect and create equality
Eugene V. Debs – Am. Socialist Party
1 912 Presidential Candidate

29. SUFFRAGE
VOTING RIGHTS (Woman)

30. Suffrage = The Right to Vote
14th Amendment gave A.A. citizenship
15th Amendment gave A.A. men voting rights
The fight for women’s suffrage split in two:
Nat’l Woman Suffrage Assoc.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Susan B. Anthony
Focused on passing a constitutional amendment to give women the right to vote.
Am. Woman Suffrage Assoc.
Lucy Stone
Julia Ward Howe
Focused on gaining voting rights for women at the state level.

31. National American Woman Suffrage Association
NAWSA formed in 1890 when the two groups came together
Carrie Chapman Catt - NAWSA
Lobbied lawmakers
Gave speeches on corners
DISCUSSIONS with President
- Old School….”Proper Women” -
“Patience, Our time will come…”

32. National Woman’s Party
Membership grew in NAWSA b/c women wanted to pass labor laws protecting women
National Woman’s Party (NWP)
Alice Paul (broke away from NAWSA)
Civil Disobedience Activist -
Picket White House
Chained to lampposts (Will go to jail for cause)
Hunger strikes if arrested
“We demand Suffrage”

33. Women’s Suffrage 19th Amendment passed in 1920
Granted women the right to vote
NOTE: after WWI
-women helped with war-