1. The Rebirth of Reform
Chapter 15 Section 4

2. Progress and Poverty
Henry George – published Progress and Poverty – 1879
The century had been marked by an enormous increase in wealth-producing power
Poverty should be a thing of the past
But, it is not!
Led the way in challenging the ideas of Social Darwinism and laissez-faire economics

3. Reform Darwinism Lester Frank Ward published Dynamic Sociology
Used the ideas of Social Darwinism to create Reform Darwinism
Reform Darwinism – human beings are different from other animals in nature b/c they have the ability to think ahead and make plans to produce the future outcomes they desire

4. Reform Darwinism
People had succeeded in the world b/c of their ability to cooperate, not their ability to compete
Govt. could regulate the economy, cure poverty, and promote education more efficiently than competition in the marketplace

5. Naturalism Social Darwinists and realists argued that…
People could control their lives and make choices to improve their situation
Naturalism challenged the ideas of Social Darwinists and realists
new style of writing
criticism of industrial society

6. Naturalism
Naturalists argued that some people fail in life b/c they were caught up in circumstances they could not control
Leaving society and the economy unregulated did not always lead to the best result
Sometimes people’s lives were destroyed through no fault of their own

7. The Social Gospel Movement from 1870-1920
Focused on making better conditions in cities according to the biblical ideals of charity and justice
Washington Gladden – minister and early advocate
Tried to apply “Christian law” to society

8. The Social Gospel
Walter Rauschenbusch – Baptist preacher and leader of the movement
Either condemn the world and see it change or tolerate it and conform to it
B/l that competition was the cause of many social problems
Caused good people to behave badly

9. Settlement House
Participants b/l it was their Christian duty to improve living conditions for the poor
Jane Adams – reformer
Established settlement houses in poor neighborhoods
Middle class residents lived and helped poor residents (mostly immigrants)
This movement helped to shape the social work profession

10. Public Education
Numbers of schools grew b/c industrialization and urbanization
There was a need for more workers that were trained and educated
Immigrant children learned about American culture in schools
Americanization (assimilation)
Learned English, American History, and citizenship
Schools tried to instill discipline and a strong work ethic