The Progressive Era– The Progressive Era– What Was It?What Was It?

Period of wide-spread reform (1890-1920) economic, political, social & moral reforms reaction against laissez-faire government

“Progressives” saw an opportunity to fix societal problems Progressives aim to end the “excesses” of the

“Gilded Age” (a time of great income disparity caused my industrialization)

Remember the excerpts from this book?

These were some of the conditions Progressives were

trying to reform

Political ReformPolitical Reform

Politicians debated: more or less democracy? Debate over efficiency of government

Progressive politicians did not believe in “hands-off” government Government needed to help fix all the problems

Before reforms, “political machines” were led by “bosses” (political party leaders)

The “bosses” had great power in the big cities Often these bosses were corrupt Corrupt leadership of cities became a significant problem

Political Reform = 1. Establishing “Direct Primaries”

Allowed voters to choose political candidates (as opposed to the “bosses”)

2. 17th Amendment (1913) Direct election of US Senators (governors used

to elect Senators and the Progressive wanted to give the American people the power to do this)

3. 19th Amendment (1920) Allowed women to vote

Political ReformPolitical Reform

What is this cartoon saying? (The cat is suppose to be the Democratic Party in Cleveland and the shirt represents the effects of

reform)

Social ReformSocial ReformFocused on crime, illiteracy, alcohol abuse,

child labor & health and safety

Child Labor Kids often worked long hours for little pay

“Breaker boys”: Worked in coal mines for 60 cents/hr; 10 hr days

Labor laws & compulsory education laws reduced number of kids working

Safety Codes Required safe working conditions & workers

compensation (if an worker was injured)

“Breaker boys”

Children worked long hours in dirty, un-safe factories like the one pictured here

Social reform also focused on more individual issues like alcohol use

Temperance Movement & Anti-Saloon League were opposed to alcohol consumption

Led to 18th Amendment (also known as “The Volstead Act” or “Probation”)

“Prohibition” outlawed the sale, manufacturing, and transport of alcohol within the United States between 1920 and 1933

Social Reform at HomeSocial Reform at Home

The Temperance League was in favor of Prohibition. Here is one of their posters from the time period—what is it saying?

Detroit police inspecting equipment found in a clandestine (secret) underground brewery during the Prohibition era