The Progressive Era1900-1920

Causes

1. the Depression of the 1890s› highlighted the inadequacy of the old system

poverty – urban and agrarian workers’ conditions, labor strife further growth of giant corporations

› convinced middle class that farmers/workers had a point

2. rise of a new generation of middle-class Americans› grew up with the urbanized, industrialized new order› not so nostalgic, less tied to tradition of individualism

began to turn to government to impose order› reversal of American political tradition› followed lead of Populists, unions – somewhat

Conservative Reform

Progressives worked within the system to reform it› not looking to overturn the system but preserve it

feared both big business and organized labor› sought to prevent revolution / radical change

e.g., monopolies, socialism, class conflict, powerful unions

Progressive Strategy1. education/publicity was key to reform

› muckrakers › technology: newspapers & magazines, radio,

movie newsreels

2. public awareness govt. regulation› once an act was passed, problem was solved› e.g., food and meat regulations

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle Pure Food & Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act

Reform began locally in the 1880s and 1890s› often with middle-class women’s social

groups› esp. in the cities

1890s-1900s: ineffective, so shifted to state, then federal level

Social Reform began in cities

public health – clean water, sewage, parks

gambling/prostitution/prison reform

settlement houses

› e.g., Chicago’s Hull House (Jane Addams)

› origin of modern social work

paternalism

Prohibition roots:

› rural reaction against urban vice› nativist reaction against immigrant

culture› middle-class reaction against working-

class crime/violence (incl. domestic abuse)

› middle-class ideal of family – reaction against saloons

Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)› Frances Willard› Carrie Nation

Anti-Saloon League state and county laws

› Kansas (1880) 18th amendment (1919)

› Volstead Act (1919)

Labor Reform Goals:

› improve workers’ conditions› uplift/improve workers

intellectually & morally› prevent unions/radicalism

workmen’s compensation laws 10-hour day minimum wage

› 13 states by 1920 (limited) child- & women-labor laws

› restrict hours – Muller v. Oregon (1908)

› minimum wage – MA (1912)› Keating-Owen Act (1916)

Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918)

› Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire (1911) NY labor code

anthracite coal strike (1902)

Business Reform “Trustbusting”

› Northern Securities Co. v. US (1902)

› Hepburn Act (1906)› Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)

› Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

› Presidential styles› Roosevelt – regulation

› Northern Securities the exception

› Taft – › Wilson – breaking up the

giants

Political ReformGoals: strengthen govt. power

› federal income tax 16th Amendment (1913)

› Federal Reserve Act (1913) regulated banks; national currency

increase the power of the people› direct election of US senators

17th Amendment (1913)

› primary elections› recall, referendum, initiative

improve efficiency & break the machines› commission govt., city manager

Cleveland Mayor Tom Johnson

Women’s Role

“Maternalism”› domesticity as a springboard

into the public sphere Suffrage

› Alice Paul› Progressive emphasis on

democratic reform› key: new role of govt./law in

reform now respectable/middle class

› 19th amdt. (1920)

The Progressive Presidency TR as the first modern president

› actively pursued a legislative agenda use of public opinion – the “bully pulpit”

› made frequent use of executive orders esp. re: conservation

› brought lawsuits to enforce fed. regulations e.g., Northern Securities

› active presidency popular more efficient

1912 election› popularity of Progressivism

WW + TR = 70% Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party)