1. United States History “Progressivism”
Unit 2, Ch. 6, Sec. 1

2. Main Idea
Progressives focused on 3 areas of reform: easing the suffering of the urban poor, improving unfair and dangerous working conditions, and reforming government at the national, state and local levels

3. Questions
What issues did Progressives focus on , and what helped energize their causes?
How did Progressives try to reform society?
How did Progressives fight to reform the workplace?
How did Progressives reform government at the national, state, and local levels?

4. What was Progressivism?
Reform movement from the late 1800s
Reformers called Progressives, sought to improve living conditions for the urban poor

5. Muckrakers
Muckrakers were journalists that “raked up” or exposed the filth of society
Muckrakers helped reform in the U.S.
Jacob Riis- photographer that helped urban poor
Ida Tarbell-journalist that exposed unfair business practices
Lincoln Steffens exposed government corruption

6. Jacob Riis in 1906

7. Bandit's Roost (1888) by Jacob Riis, from How the Other Half Lives
Bandit's Roost (1888) by Jacob Riis, from How the Other Half Lives. This image is Bandit's Roost at 59½ Mulberry Street, considered the most crime-ridden, dangerous part of New York City.

8. Ida Tarbell in 1905

9. Lincoln Steffens in 1894

10. Reforming Society
Housing reforms: the Tenement Act of forced landlords to improve housing
Outhouses were outlawed, dropping death rates
NAACP was formed to fight for African American rights

11. Reforming the Workplace
Minimum wage law passed in 1912
10 hour workday established in 1917
Fire-safety laws as a result of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
Unions joined the fight for better working conditions

12. Reforming Government
Election reform: 1. progressives backed the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, allowing for the direct election of U.S. Senators. 2. initiative, referendum, recall gave voters more power