1. The Progressive Era 1890- 1920

2. What problems existed in America at the turn of the Century? Brainstorm a List

3. Problems Big Business influence Monopolies- eliminate competition Gov’t bribes Railroads- gov’t land grants Immigration- (Chinese) Nativism Political Corruption Urbanization- poor conditions, overcrowding 1873 +1893 Economic Recession Lack of support unions- poor working conditions Forcible removal of Native Americans End of = rts. Blacks Senate was elected by State Legislature

4. What does Progressive Mean? Movement towards a goal Growth or development; continuous improvement The development of a society in a direction considered more beneficial than prior A progressive is one that is in favor of the political philosophy of reform

5. Who Were the Progressives? Not an easy answer… Middle-Class- unusual Women Reformers Working-Class Political Organizers African Americans Urban Immigration Associations

6. What was the Progressive Agenda? Four Goals: Social Welfare Moral Improvement Economic Reform Political Reform

7. Progressive Party Platform Women ’ s suffrage. Graduated income tax. Inheritance tax for the rich. Lower tariffs. Limits on campaign spending. Currency reform. Minimum wage laws. Social insurance. Abolition of child labor. Workmen ’ s compensation. NewNationalismNewNationalismNewNationalismNewNationalism

8. Social Welfare YMCA Settlement Houses Americanization- English Civics Job Skills Boys and Girls Club How do these groups promote social welfare?

9. Moral Improvement Prohibition Women Christian’s Temperance Mvt.

10. Economic Reform Businesses- belief that workers deserve a share of goods Expose corrupt business Muckrackers- investigative journalists

11. Political Reform- desire for gov’t to be more efficient and responsive Direct election of US Senators- 1913- 17th Amendment Larger involvement of the people Initiative- a bill introduced by the people Recall- voters can remove an official before the end of their term Referendum-a direct popular vote on an issue of public policy, such as a proposed amendment to a state constitution or a proposed law. not used at the national level, but are common at the state and local level is often used to gauge popular approval or rejection of laws recently passed or under consideration by a state legislature