1. THE AGE OF REFORM
CHAPTER 9 SECTION 1 NOTES

2. The Progressive Spirit
By early 1900’s Industrialization had transformed United States
Growth led to unsafe working conditions, crowded cities and larger gap between rich and poor
Progressivism grew from Populist reform but centered on urban problems
Plight of workers
Poor sanitation
Corrupt political machines

3. THE PROGRESSIVES
Most were native born, college educated, middle and upper class
Urban middle class had grown from 750,000 in 1870 to 10 million in 1910

4. WOMEN AND PROGRESSIVES
Joined reform movements because acceptable way to influence politics and society
More women were enrolled in college but job opportunities were limited
Reform work offered way to use knowledge of medicine, psychology, sociology and other subjects

5. WOMEN AND PROGRESSIVES
Ella Flagg Young became superintendent of schools in Chicago in 1909—promoted public education by raising salaries of teachers
Some made careers of reform work while others volunteered
General Federation of Women’s Clubs and National Association of Colored Women
Women participated in Progressive Party Convention of 1912—platform supported women’s suffrage and abolishment of child labor

6. Progressive Issues Dangerous workplace
Major concern was way corporate America did business
In % of industrial workers had 54 hour work weeks
Higher accident rates
25% of one Pittsburgh steel mill workforce injured or killed per year from

7. Progressive Issues Demand limits on corporate power
Promoted laws to limit monopolies and help small businesses
Called for 8 hour work day
Minimum wage
Safer work conditions
Abolishment of child labor

8. Social Problems Wanted people to have greater control over government
New election reforms and other reforms more responsive to desire of voters
Inspired by spirit of social justice
Believed in power of science and technology to solve social problems
John Dewey “education should prepare students to function in society, not just give them factual information

9. Inspiration for Reform
Popular magazines such as Munsey’s and Everybody’s published stories about corruption in politics and business as well as social problems
McClure’s Magazine founded by S.S. McClure in 1893
Teddy Roosevelt coined term Muckrakers to describe investigative journalists

10. Inspiration for Reform
October 1902 McClure’s publishes Tweed Days in St Louis by Lincoln Steffens and Claude Wetmore—describes St. Louis’s political machine and comparison to Boss Tweed of New York
Ida Tarbell writes series of 19 articles about “History of Standard Oil”—uncovering details about corrupt practices of John Rockefeller—published in McClure’s
Ida never wanted to be associated with muckrakers—her father’s company had been bought out by Standard Oil

12. Muckraking Books
Lincoln Steffens writes Shame of the Cities in 1904—describes urban political corruption
Ray Stannard Baker writes Following the Color Line in 1908—describes plight of African Americans

13. Writers and Social Problems
Novelists describe darker side of new industrial society’s effect on people
Theodore Dreiser writes Sister Carrie (1900) and The Financier (1912)—describing workers brutalized by greedy business owners
Edith Wharton describes how closed-mindedness of elite society leads heroine to social isolation and despair in The House of Mirth in 1905

14. Writers and Social Problems
The Promise of American Life published in 1909 by Herbert Croly argues that government should use regulatory and taxation power to promote welfare of its citizens
Jane Addams Democracy and Social Ethics (1902) urges private citizens to show more social responsibility
Although progressives wanted to transform society and its values they remained committed to Democracy for all citizens