Transcript The Progressive Era

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Table of Contents
Agenda & Objective
The Progressive Reform
Era (1890-1920)
How did the Progressive Era
begin in the 1890s?
• The United States “prided itself in being a nation of
progress and prosperity”
• A series of revelations about _____________________,
___________________, and ______________________, etc. led to reforms
in the early 20th century.
• Early reform groups, such as the Populists, inspired new
reformers.
• Many people started to believe that charitable groups alone
(settlement houses, social gospel work, etc.) could not fix
society’s problems and thus, the Progressive Reform Era
was born.
What were the goals of the
Progressives?
• Government should be more accountable to its citizens.
• Government should curb the power and influence of wealthy
interests.
• Government should be given expanded powers to allow it to
improve the lives of citizens (through social welfare programs,
taking over utility services, etc.)
• Government should be more efficient and less corrupt so that
they may effectively fulfill their duties.
Who were the Progressives?
• The “Progressives” as they called themselves were not a single
unified group, nor did they all share the same beliefs. Democrats
and Republicans alike called themselves Progressives.
• Their attempts to improve society can be categorized into four
main areas:
- social
-political
- moral
-economic
Who were the Muckrakers and
how did they contribute to
Progressive Era Reforms?
• Journalists (like Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens,
Ida Tarbell, Jacob Riss) who alerted the public about
problems and scandals.
• President Theodore Roosevelt said that if Upton Sinclair’s
claims be true, he would attempt to clean up the meat industry.
• As a result, TR’s Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act and
created the Pure Food and Drug Act.
• T.R., however, condemned muckrakers who made a living off of
exaggerated or falsified journalism.
What are some specific examples of how
the Muckrakers contributed to society?
• Examples:
- Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (1906)
- Lincoln Steffens’ _____________________ (1904) exposed
political corruption in big cities like St. Louis.
- Ida Tarbells’ The History of the Standard Oil Company
(1904) revealed the abuses committed by the Standard Oil
Trust.
- Jacob Riis’ How the Other Half Lives
Sinclair’s The Jungle
Riis’ How the Other Half
Lives
Tarbell
Important Women of the
Progressive Era…
Jane Addams-
Ida Tarbell-
Important Women of the
Progressive Era…
Florence Kelly
• labor reformer who helped limit
child labor, work hours, and
improve sweatshop labor
conditions. Also, worked in the
National Consumer’s League.
“Mother” Mary Jones
• organized labor unions (Knights
of Labor) and part-founder of the
IWW (International Workers of
the World)
Important Men of the
Progressive Era…
President Theodore
Roosevelt
Senator Robert M.
LaFollette
What were the effects of the
Progressive Era?
• Societal reforms (prohibition, women’s suffrage, etc.)
• Legislation was passed and amendments were ratified.
• Shift towards _________ beliefs (public/government control of
property and income, more equal distribution of wealth, etc.)
• State level electoral reforms (initiative, referendum, recall)
• Formation of labor organizations, unions, etc. such as the
American Federation of Labor. Women also played a very active
role in forming organizations and pushing for reform. (i.e. The
International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union, the National
Consumers League, and National Women’s Trade Union League.