1. The Origins of Progressivism
#45 Ch.9.1 Notes and Q’s
The Origins of Progressivism
OBJECTIVE: Understand how Progressive Era social reforms changed America.

2. I. Four Goals of Progressivism
Early 1900s, middle class reformers address problems of 1890s.
Different reform efforts called progressive movement.
Progressives believed legislation could solve nation’s economic and social problems.
Reformers aimed to restore economic opportunity, correct injustices.

3. Four Goals of the Progressive Movement:
Protecting social welfare
Promoting moral improvement
Creating economic reform
Fostering efficiency

4. Protecting Social Welfare:
Florence Kelly, political activist, advocate for women & children.
Helps pass law prohibiting child labor, limiting women’s hours.

5. Promoting Moral Improvement
Some feel poor should uplift selves by improving own behavior.
Prohibition- banned the sale or use of alcohol.
Women’s Christian Temperance Union spearheads crusade.

6. Creating Economic Reform
Muckrakers- journalists who expose corruption in politics and business.

7. Fostering Efficiency:
Scientific Management- time and motion studies applied to workplace.
Assembly lines (Ford’s Model T’s) speed up production, make people work like machines.
Cause high worker turnover.

8. Progressive Questions
Pretend you are starting a Progressive Movement in today’s society. Create 4 Goals for your Progressive Movement.
Possible Topics: Education, Business, Politics, Science, Technology, Health Care, Social Issues, Sports, etc..

9. My Progressive Reforms
Name of Progressive Reform
Why is the Reform needed?
Specify the details of your Reform 1 2 3 4

10. II. Cleaning Up Local Government
Some cities adopt government by commission of experts.
Many use council-manager: people elect council that appoints manager.
Political Machines fade away.

11. III. Reform at the State Level
Reform Governors
Governors push states to pass laws to regulate large businesses.
Robert La Follette is 3-term governor, then Senator of Wisconsin.
Attacks big business.

13. Protecting Working Children
Child workers get low wages, small hands handle small parts better.
Families need children’s wages.
Children work under harsh conditions.
Labor unions argue children’s wages lower all wages.
Groups press government to ban child labor, cut hours.
Supreme Court ruled bans were unconstitutional.

14. Oregon adopts secret ballot, initiative, referendum, recall.
Reforming Elections
Oregon adopts secret ballot, initiative, referendum, recall.
Initiative- bill proposed by people, not lawmakers, put on ballots.
Referendum- voters, not legislature decide if initiative becomes law.
Recall- voters remove elected official through early election.
17th Amendment permits popular election of senators.
A California citizen needed only to gather 65 signatures from their own party and pay a nonrefundable $3,500 fee to become a candidate, or in lieu of the fee collect up to 10,000 signatures from any party.
California Governor Gray Davis recalled in 2003

15. Ch.9.1 Table GOAL SUPPORTED BY? WHY WAS IT NEEDED? IMPACT?
Protecting Social Welfare 2
Promoting Moral Improvement 3
Creating Economic Reform 4
Fostering Efficiency