Progressives focused on three areas of reform: easing the suffering of Progressives focused on three areas of reform: easing the suffering of the urban poor, improving unfair and dangerous working the urban poor, improving unfair and dangerous working

conditions, and reforming government at the national, state, and conditions, and reforming government at the national, state, and local levels. local levels.

ProgressivismProgressivism

If I were involved in the progressive If I were involved in the progressive movement, I would have been most movement, I would have been most

interested in helping…interested in helping…

38%

14%

48%1.1. The urban poor find The urban poor find

sanitary and sanitary and reasonable housing.reasonable housing.

2.2. Workers improve Workers improve conditions and conditions and wages.wages.

3.3. Reform government Reform government and eliminate and eliminate corruptioncorruption

Ida Tarbell

• Exposed the corrupt Standard Oil Company and its owner, John D. Rockefeller

• Appealed to middle class scared by large business power

Progressivism and Its ChampionsProgressivism and Its Champions

Lincoln Steffens• Shame of the

Cities (1904) exposed corrupt city governments

Frank Norris• Exposed railroad

monopolies in a 1901 novel

• Industrialization helped many but also created dangerous working environments and unhealthy living conditions for the urban poor.

• Progressivism, a wide-ranging reform movement targeting these problems, began in the late 19th century.

• Journalists called muckrakers and urban photographers exposed people to the plight of the unfortunate in hopes of sparking reform.

Jacob Riis

• Danish immigrant who faced New York poverty

• Exposed the slums through magazines, photographs, and a best-selling book

• His fame helped spark city reforms.

Growing cities couldn’t provide people necessary services like Growing cities couldn’t provide people necessary services like garbage collection, safe housing, and police and fire protection.garbage collection, safe housing, and police and fire protection.

Reformers, many of whom were women like activist Lillian Wald, Reformers, many of whom were women like activist Lillian Wald, saw this as an opportunity to expand public health services. saw this as an opportunity to expand public health services.

Progressives scored an early victory in New York State with the Progressives scored an early victory in New York State with the passage of the Tenement Act of 1901, which forced landlords to passage of the Tenement Act of 1901, which forced landlords to install lighting in public hallways and to provide at least one install lighting in public hallways and to provide at least one toilet for every two families, which helped outhouses become toilet for every two families, which helped outhouses become obsolete in New York slums.obsolete in New York slums.

These simple steps helped impoverished New Yorkers, and These simple steps helped impoverished New Yorkers, and within 15 years the death rate in New York dropped within 15 years the death rate in New York dropped dramatically.dramatically.

Reformers in other states used New York law as a model for Reformers in other states used New York law as a model for their own proposals.their own proposals.

Reforming SocietyReforming Society

Fighting for Civil RightsFighting for Civil Rights

NAACPNAACP National Association for the National Association for the

Advancement of Colored PeopleAdvancement of Colored People Formed in 1909 by a multiracial Formed in 1909 by a multiracial

group of activists to fight for the group of activists to fight for the rights of African Americansrights of African Americans

1913: Protested the official 1913: Protested the official introduction of segregation in introduction of segregation in federal governmentfederal government

1915: Protested the D. W. Griffith 1915: Protested the D. W. Griffith film film Birth of a Nation because of because of hostile African American hostile African American stereotypes, which led to the film’s stereotypes, which led to the film’s banning in eight statesbanning in eight states

ADLADL Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation League Formed by Sigmund Livingston, Formed by Sigmund Livingston,

a Jewish man in Chicago, in 1913a Jewish man in Chicago, in 1913 Fought anti-Semitism, or Fought anti-Semitism, or

prejudice against Jews, which prejudice against Jews, which was common in Americawas common in America

Fought to stop negative Fought to stop negative stereotypes of Jews in mediastereotypes of Jews in media

The publisher of the The publisher of the New York New York TimesTimes was a member and helped was a member and helped stop negative references to Jewsstop negative references to Jews

Progressives fought prejudice in society by forming various reform groups.

Children as young as 3 years old Children as young as 3 years old could be found working in the could be found working in the

textile mills.textile mills.

Tru

e

Fal

se

2

20

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

By the late 19th century, labor unions fought for adult male workers By the late 19th century, labor unions fought for adult male workers but didn’t advocate enough for women and children.but didn’t advocate enough for women and children.

In 1893, In 1893, Florence KelleyFlorence Kelley helped push the Illinois legislature to prohibit helped push the Illinois legislature to prohibit child labor and to limit women’s working hours. child labor and to limit women’s working hours.

In 1904, Kelley helped organize the National Child Labor Committee, In 1904, Kelley helped organize the National Child Labor Committee, which wanted state legislatures to ban child labor.which wanted state legislatures to ban child labor.

By 1912, nearly 40 states passed child-labor laws, but states didn’t By 1912, nearly 40 states passed child-labor laws, but states didn’t strictly enforce the laws and many children still strictly enforce the laws and many children still worked..

Reforming the WorkplaceReforming the Workplace

Reforming the WorkplaceReforming the Workplace Progressives, mounting state Progressives, mounting state

campaigns to limit workdays campaigns to limit workdays for women, were successful in for women, were successful in states including Oregon and states including Oregon and Utah.Utah.

But since most workers were But since most workers were still underpaid and living in still underpaid and living in poverty, an alliance of labor poverty, an alliance of labor unions and progressives unions and progressives fought for a minimum wage, fought for a minimum wage, which Congress didn’t adopt which Congress didn’t adopt until 1938.until 1938.

Businesses fought labor laws Businesses fought labor laws in the Supreme Court, which in the Supreme Court, which ruled on several cases in the ruled on several cases in the early 1900s concerning early 1900s concerning workday length.workday length.

In 1911, a gruesome disaster in New York inspired progressives to fight In 1911, a gruesome disaster in New York inspired progressives to fight for safety in the workplace.for safety in the workplace.

About 500 women worked for the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, a high-About 500 women worked for the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, a high-rise building sweatshop that made women’s blouses.rise building sweatshop that made women’s blouses.

Just as they were ending their six-day workweek, a small fire broke out, Just as they were ending their six-day workweek, a small fire broke out, which quickly spread to three floors.which quickly spread to three floors.

Escape was nearly impossible, as doors were locked to prevent theft, Escape was nearly impossible, as doors were locked to prevent theft, the flimsy fire escape broke under pressure, and the fire was too high the flimsy fire escape broke under pressure, and the fire was too high for fire truck ladders to reach.for fire truck ladders to reach.

More than 140 women and men died in the More than 140 women and men died in the fire, marking a turning , marking a turning point for labor and reform movements.point for labor and reform movements.

With the efforts of Union organizer Rose Schneiderman and others, With the efforts of Union organizer Rose Schneiderman and others, New York State passed the toughest fire-safety laws in the nation, as New York State passed the toughest fire-safety laws in the nation, as well as factory inspection and sanitation laws.well as factory inspection and sanitation laws.

New York laws became a model for workplace safety nationwide.New York laws became a model for workplace safety nationwide.

The Triangle Shirtwaist The Triangle Shirtwaist Company FireCompany Fire

Triangle Shirtwaist FireTriangle Shirtwaist Fire

Reforming GovernmentReforming GovernmentCity GovernmentCity Government

Reforming government meant Reforming government meant winning control of it:winning control of it:

Tom Johnson of Cleveland Tom Johnson of Cleveland was a successful reform was a successful reform mayor who set new rules for mayor who set new rules for police, released debtors police, released debtors from prison, and supported a from prison, and supported a fairer tax system.fairer tax system.

Progressives promoted new Progressives promoted new government structures:government structures:

Texas set up a five-member Texas set up a five-member committee to govern committee to govern Galveston after a hurricane, Galveston after a hurricane, and by 1918, 500 cities and by 1918, 500 cities adopted this plan.adopted this plan.

The city manager model had The city manager model had a professional administrator, a professional administrator, not a politician, manage the not a politician, manage the government.government.

State GovernmentState Government Progressive governor Progressive governor Robert La Robert La

FolletteFollette created the Wisconsin created the Wisconsin Ideas, which wanted:Ideas, which wanted:

Direct primary elections; Direct primary elections; limited campaign spendinglimited campaign spending

Commissions to regulate Commissions to regulate railroads and oversee railroads and oversee transportation, civil transportation, civil service, and taxationservice, and taxation

Election ReformsElection Reforms Some measures Progressives fought for includeSome measures Progressives fought for include

Direct primaryDirect primary: : voters select a party’s voters select a party’s candidate for public candidate for public officeoffice

17th Amendment17th Amendment:: voters elect their voters elect their senators directlysenators directly

secret ballotsecret ballot: people : people vote privately without vote privately without fear of coercionfear of coercion

initiativeinitiative: allows : allows citizens to propose new citizens to propose new lawslaws

referendumreferendum: allows : allows citizens to vote on a citizens to vote on a proposed or existing proposed or existing lawlaw

recallrecall: allows voters to : allows voters to remove an elected remove an elected official from officeofficial from office

The Main IdeaThe Main IdeaWomen during the Progressive Era actively campaigned for reforms Women during the Progressive Era actively campaigned for reforms

in education, children’s welfare, temperance, and suffrage. in education, children’s welfare, temperance, and suffrage.

Women and Public LifeWomen and Public Life

By the late 1800s, more educational opportunities arose as By the late 1800s, more educational opportunities arose as colleges, such as Oberlin College in Ohio, started enrolling women.colleges, such as Oberlin College in Ohio, started enrolling women.

Most of the women who attended college at this time were from Most of the women who attended college at this time were from the upper or middle classes and wanted to use their skills after the upper or middle classes and wanted to use their skills after graduation. graduation.

A few African American women attended college, but this was more A few African American women attended college, but this was more rare.rare.

However, many employment opportunities were still denied to However, many employment opportunities were still denied to women, as organizations such as the American Medical Association women, as organizations such as the American Medical Association didn’t admit women until many years later.didn’t admit women until many years later.

Denied access to their professions, many women poured their Denied access to their professions, many women poured their knowledge and skills into the reform movement, gaining knowledge and skills into the reform movement, gaining valuable political experience as they fought for change.valuable political experience as they fought for change.

Opportunities for WomenOpportunities for Women

Newspapers and

magazines began to

hire more women as

journalists and

artists, trying to

cater to the new

consumer group

formed by educated

women.

Employment OpportunitiesEmployment Opportunities

Working-class and

uneducated women

took industry jobs

that paid less than

men, as employers

assumed women

were being

supported by their

fathers.

• Job opportunities for educated middle-class women grew in the 1800s.

• By the late 1800s, these opportunities in public life changed how women saw the world and the role they wanted in their communities.

• Some new workplace opportunities for women included

Women worked as

teachers and nurses in

the traditional “caring

professions,” but they

also entered the

business world as

bookkeepers, typists,

secretaries, and shop

clerks.

As in earlier reform periods, women became the backbone of many As in earlier reform periods, women became the backbone of many of the Progressive Era reform movements. of the Progressive Era reform movements.

Some women campaigned for children’s rights, seeking to end child Some women campaigned for children’s rights, seeking to end child labor, improve children’s health, and promote education.labor, improve children’s health, and promote education.

Lillian Wald, founder of the Henry Street Settlement in New York Lillian Wald, founder of the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, believed the federal government had a responsibility to tend City, believed the federal government had a responsibility to tend to the well-being of children.to the well-being of children.

She was successful when the Federal Children’s Bureau opened She was successful when the Federal Children’s Bureau opened in 1912.in 1912.

Gaining Political ExperienceGaining Political Experience

ProhibitionProhibition Progressive women also fought Progressive women also fought

in the in the ProhibitionProhibition movement, movement, which called for a ban on which called for a ban on making, selling, and distributing making, selling, and distributing alcoholic beverages.alcoholic beverages.

Reformers thought alcohol was Reformers thought alcohol was responsible for crime, poverty, responsible for crime, poverty, and violence. and violence.

Two major national organizations Two major national organizations led the crusade against alcohol.led the crusade against alcohol. The Anti-Saloon LeagueThe Anti-Saloon League The The Women’s Christian Women’s Christian

Temperance UnionTemperance Union (WCTU), (WCTU), headed by headed by Frances WillardFrances Willard, , which was a powerful force which was a powerful force for both temperance and for both temperance and women’s rightswomen’s rights

Evangelists like Billy Sunday and Evangelists like Billy Sunday and Carry NationCarry Nation preached against preached against alcohol, and Nation smashed up alcohol, and Nation smashed up saloons with a hatchet while saloons with a hatchet while holding a Bible.holding a Bible.

The Temperance MovementThe Temperance Movement

Congress eventually proposed Congress eventually proposed the the Eighteenth Eighteenth AmendmentAmendment in 1917, in 1917, prohibiting the manufacture, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of sale, and distribution of alcohol. It was ratified in alcohol. It was ratified in 1919, but was so unpopular 1919, but was so unpopular that it was repealed in 1933.that it was repealed in 1933.

Rise of the Women’s Suffrage Rise of the Women’s Suffrage MovementMovement

• After the Civil War, suffragists, who had supported abolition, called for granting women the vote but were told that they should wait.

• Many were angered that the Fifteenth Amendment granted voting rights to African American men but not to women.

• Women began to see success in the West, as in 1869 the Wyoming Territory granted women the vote, followed by the Utah Territory a year later and five more western states not long after.

Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony wrote Susan B. Anthony wrote pamphlets, made speeches, pamphlets, made speeches, and testified before every and testified before every Congress from 1869 to 1906 Congress from 1869 to 1906 in support of women’s rights.in support of women’s rights.

In 1873 the Supreme Court In 1873 the Supreme Court ruled that even though ruled that even though women were citizens, that did women were citizens, that did not automatically grant them not automatically grant them voting rights, but that it was voting rights, but that it was up to the states to grant or up to the states to grant or withhold that right.withhold that right.

Anti-Suffrage ArgumentsAnti-Suffrage ArgumentsSocialSocial

Some believed women were Some believed women were too frail to handle the too frail to handle the turmoil of polling places on turmoil of polling places on Election Day.Election Day.

Some believed voting would Some believed voting would interfere with a woman’s interfere with a woman’s duties at home or destroy duties at home or destroy families.families.

Some claimed that women Some claimed that women did not have the education did not have the education or experience to be or experience to be competent voters.competent voters.

Others believed that most Others believed that most women did not want to vote, women did not want to vote, and that it was unfair for and that it was unfair for suffragists to force the vote suffragists to force the vote on unwilling women.on unwilling women.

EconomicEconomic The liquor industry feared The liquor industry feared

that giving the women the that giving the women the vote would lead to vote would lead to Prohibition.Prohibition.

As women became active in As women became active in other reform movements, other reform movements, such as food and drug such as food and drug safety and child labor, safety and child labor, business owners feared business owners feared women would vote for women would vote for regulations that would drive regulations that would drive up costs. up costs.

ReligiousReligious Churches and clergy Churches and clergy

members preached that members preached that marriage was a sacred bond marriage was a sacred bond and the entire family was and the entire family was represented by the represented by the husband’s vote.husband’s vote.

Women Gain the VoteWomen Gain the Vote

The The Nineteenth Nineteenth AmendmentAmendment, , granting women granting women the vote, was the vote, was proposed by proposed by Congress in 1918 Congress in 1918 and passed in 1920 and passed in 1920 with support from with support from President Wilson.President Wilson.

Theodore Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to push for Theodore Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to push for progressive reforms in business and in environmental policy. progressive reforms in business and in environmental policy.

Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to push for Theodore Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to push for progressive reforms in business and in environmental policy. progressive reforms in business and in environmental policy.

Roosevelt’s UpbringingRoosevelt’s Upbringing Theodore Roosevelt was a Theodore Roosevelt was a

sickly, shy youth whom doctors sickly, shy youth whom doctors forbade to play sports or do forbade to play sports or do strenuous activities.strenuous activities.

In his teenage years, Roosevelt In his teenage years, Roosevelt reinvented himself, taking up reinvented himself, taking up sports and becoming vigorous, sports and becoming vigorous, outgoing, and optimistic.outgoing, and optimistic.

Roosevelt came from a Roosevelt came from a prominent New York family and prominent New York family and attended Harvard University, attended Harvard University, but he grew to love the but he grew to love the outdoors.outdoors.

In 1884, when Roosevelt was In 1884, when Roosevelt was 26, both his mother and his 26, both his mother and his young wife died unexpectedly.young wife died unexpectedly.

Trying to forget his grief, he Trying to forget his grief, he returned to his ranch in Dakota returned to his ranch in Dakota Territory, where he lived and Territory, where he lived and worked with cowboys.worked with cowboys.

He returned to New York after He returned to New York after two years and entered politics.two years and entered politics.

Roosevelt’s View of the PresidencyRoosevelt’s View of the Presidency

President William McKinley was shot and killed President William McKinley was shot and killed in 1901, leaving the office to Roosevelt.in 1901, leaving the office to Roosevelt.

At 42 years old he was the youngest president At 42 years old he was the youngest president and an avid reformer.and an avid reformer.

From Governor to Vice

President

Roosevelt’s rise to governor of New York upset Roosevelt’s rise to governor of New York upset the Republican political machine.the Republican political machine.

To get rid of the progressive Roosevelt, party To get rid of the progressive Roosevelt, party bosses got him elected as vice president, a bosses got him elected as vice president, a position with little power at that time.position with little power at that time.

Unlikely President

Roosevelt saw the presidency as a Roosevelt saw the presidency as a bully bully pulpitpulpit, or a platform to publicize important , or a platform to publicize important issues and seek support for his policies on issues and seek support for his policies on reform. reform.

View of Office

The Coal Strike of 1902The Coal Strike of 1902 Soon after Roosevelt took office, some 150,000 Soon after Roosevelt took office, some 150,000

Pennsylvania coal miners went on strike for Pennsylvania coal miners went on strike for higher wages, shorter hours, and recognition of higher wages, shorter hours, and recognition of their union.their union.

As winter neared, Roosevelt feared what might As winter neared, Roosevelt feared what might happen if the strike was not resolved, since happen if the strike was not resolved, since Eastern cities depended upon Pennsylvania coal Eastern cities depended upon Pennsylvania coal for heating.for heating.

Roosevelt urged mine owners and the striking Roosevelt urged mine owners and the striking workers to accept arbitration, and though the workers to accept arbitration, and though the workers accepted, the owners refused.workers accepted, the owners refused.

Winter drew closer, and Roosevelt threatened Winter drew closer, and Roosevelt threatened to take over the mines if the owners didn’t to take over the mines if the owners didn’t agree to arbitration, marking the first time the agree to arbitration, marking the first time the federal government had intervened in a strike federal government had intervened in a strike to protect the interests of the public.to protect the interests of the public.

After a three-month investigation, the After a three-month investigation, the arbitrators decided to give the workers a arbitrators decided to give the workers a shorter workday and higher pay but did not shorter workday and higher pay but did not require the mining companies to recognize the require the mining companies to recognize the union.union.

Satisfied, Roosevelt pronounced the Satisfied, Roosevelt pronounced the compromise a “square deal.”compromise a “square deal.”

The Square DealThe Square Deal The The Square DealSquare Deal became Roosevelt’s 1904 campaign slogan became Roosevelt’s 1904 campaign slogan

and the framework for his entire presidency.and the framework for his entire presidency.

He promised to “see that each is given a square deal, because he He promised to “see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.”is entitled to no more and should receive no less.”

Roosevelt’s promise revealed his belief that the needs of Roosevelt’s promise revealed his belief that the needs of workers, business, and consumers should be balanced.workers, business, and consumers should be balanced.

Roosevelt’s square deal called for limiting the power of trusts, Roosevelt’s square deal called for limiting the power of trusts, promoting public health and safety, and improving working promoting public health and safety, and improving working conditions.conditions.

The popular president faced no opposition for the nomination in his party. In the general election Roosevelt easily defeated his Democratic opponent, Judge Alton Parker of New York.

Regulating Big BusinessRegulating Big Business

Roosevelt believed big Roosevelt believed big business was essential business was essential to the nation’s growth to the nation’s growth but also believed but also believed companies should companies should behave responsibly.behave responsibly.

He spent a great deal He spent a great deal of attention on of attention on regulating corporations, regulating corporations, determined that they determined that they should serve the public should serve the public interest.interest.

Dismay Over Food and Drug PracticesDismay Over Food and Drug Practices

FoodFood

Food producers used clever tricks Food producers used clever tricks to pass off tainted foods:to pass off tainted foods:

Dairies churned spoiled milk Dairies churned spoiled milk into fresh butter.into fresh butter.

Poultry sellers added Poultry sellers added formaldehyde, which is used formaldehyde, which is used to embalm dead bodies, to old to embalm dead bodies, to old eggs to hide their smell.eggs to hide their smell.

• Unwary customers bought the Unwary customers bought the tainted food thinking it was tainted food thinking it was healthy.healthy.

DrugsDrugs

Drug companies were also Drug companies were also unconcerned for customer unconcerned for customer health:health:

Some sold medicines that Some sold medicines that didn’t work.didn’t work.

Some marketed Some marketed nonprescription medicines nonprescription medicines containing narcotics.containing narcotics.

Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, intended to soothe Syrup, intended to soothe babies’ teething pain, babies’ teething pain, contained heroin.contained heroin.

Gowan’s Pneumonia Cure Gowan’s Pneumonia Cure contained the addictive contained the addictive painkiller morphine.painkiller morphine.

Upton Sinclair and Meatpacking Upton Sinclair and Meatpacking

Of all industries, Of all industries, meatpacking fell into the meatpacking fell into the worst public disrepute.worst public disrepute.

The novelist The novelist Upton Upton SinclairSinclair exposed the exposed the wretched and unsanitary wretched and unsanitary conditions at conditions at meatpacking plants in meatpacking plants in his novel his novel The JungleThe Jungle, , igniting a firestorm of igniting a firestorm of criticism aimed at criticism aimed at meatpackers.meatpackers.

Roosevelt ordered Secretary Roosevelt ordered Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson of Agriculture James Wilson to investigate packing house to investigate packing house conditions, and his report of conditions, and his report of gruesome practices shocked gruesome practices shocked Congress into action.Congress into action.

In 1906 it enacted two In 1906 it enacted two groundbreaking consumer groundbreaking consumer protection laws.protection laws.

The Meat Inspection Act required federal government inspection of meat shipped across state lines.

The Pure Food and Drug Act outlawed food and drugs containing harmful ingredients, and required that containers carry ingredient labels.