reforming america the origins of the progressive movement
TRANSCRIPT
Reforming America
The Origins of the Progressive Movement
Bill Clinton: 'New era of progressive politics'
• What is a Progressive?
• Can you think of some topic in today’s news that would be the target of a progressive movement??
OBJECTIVES:• 1. Causes of the Progressive
Movement
• 2. Analyze the role Journalists played in the Progressive Movement
• 3. What were some of the social reforms
• 4. What were some of the political reforms
Who were the progressives?
• Progressive leaders emerged from every walk of life including the poor, the middle, and the wealthy that was acting for the good of society.
• These people believed that industrialization and urbanization had created terrible social and political problems.
So who do they target to improve society?
• The progressive movement sought to use modern ideas to improve society.
• They realized that if they wanted society to improve, they would have to get help from the government.
• The laissez-faire attitude of the government would have to end.
What issues were they seeking to rectify?
• Political Issues• Many city officials used
bribery and violence to influence elections.
• Many city workers “looked the other way” at political corruption.
• Women were rallying for the right to vote.
What issues were they seeking to rectify?
• Social Issues
• In the cities, poor living conditions were normal.
• Many progressives sought welfare laws to help children.
• Progressives also wanted gov’t regulations to help the working man and consumers.
What issues were they seeking to rectify?
• Economic Issues• Big business began to
limit competition and raise prices.
• Progressives also looked for better working conditions and higher wages for workers.
Who are the muckrakers?
• Muckrakers were writers that exposed the problems that were going on.
• They dramatized these issues to make everyone take notice to the plights of Americans.
• They often defended the downtrodden and needy.
The Jungle; Upton Sinclair
The Progressives Fight Back
• Community centers, known as Settlement Houses, provide social services to the poor.
• Jane Addams leads the way in Chicago by creating Hull House.
Settlement Houses
• Jane Addams
Social Reforms
Improving Education and Protecting Children• A lawyer named Florence
Kelley leads the way to ban child labor. She would pave the way for the Children’s Bureau.
• Progressives also led the way for children’s education. Educator John Dewey led the fight for children to have overall educations, not just skilled labor training.
Helping the Industrial Workers
• After a serious fire kills 146 workers in NY, Progressives called for safety reforms.
• Many states adopt worker compensation laws, safer working conditions, and shorter work days.
Progressives reform Government
• Progressive Robert La Follette establishes a direct primary, in which, the citizens can vote directly for a candidate instead of a party leader.
• Progressives also fought for 3 other changes:
– The initiative allowed citizens to put a question on a ballot to be voted on by the people.
– The referendum allows citizens to vote on or reject laws.
– The recall allows citizens to remove a public official before their terms end.
Progressives seize power
• The Progressive movement becomes so popular that leaders of the party become governors.
• Leader such as Robert La Follette, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson lead the way.
Sweatshops Today?
• Department of Labor:
–Over 50% of U.S. garment factories are sweatshops. NY,Ca, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta
–Nike, Gap
Garment Sales controlled by:
• 5 corporations:
–Wal-Mart
–JC Penney
–Sears
–May Company: Lord & Taylor, Hechts
–Federated Dept Stores: Macy, Steins, Bloomingdales
Women’s groups during Progressive Movement
• Change in Women’s roles in society
• Workers’ rights and family life
• 19th Amendment
Progressive Women
• Susan B. Anthony : 1st to vote in 1872
• WCTU: Women’s Christian Temperance Movement:
–Led to 18th Amendment: Prohibition
–Jane Adams: Settlement Houses
More Changes–
state level,
– minimum wage laws for women workers,
• industrial accident insurance,
• restricted child labor,
• factory regulation
National Changes• laws establishing federal
regulation of meat-packing,–Drug– railroad industries– anti-trust laws.– lowered the tariff, – legislation to improve working condition
Progressive changes
• local level,
– expand high schools,
– construct playgrounds,– municipal government.
Constitutional Amendments
• Amendment 16: income tax (1913)• Amendment 17: direct election of
senators,• Amendment 18: Prohibition (1919)• Amendment 19: Women’s Suffrage
(1920)