AN INTRODUCTION AND THE REFORMERS

The Progressive Era

Progressivism was…

A response to problems created by the Industrial Revolution (What were they?)

An attempt to help the poor and working class

An effort to curb the power of corruption

An undertaking of “purity” reform

Who were the reformers?

SocialistsLabor leadersChild Labor reformers

Government Reformers

Muckrakers

Socialists

Government control of property & income

End capitalist system (inequality)

Redistribute wealthNationalize

industriesNo revolution—

changes through elections

Socialist Party formed 1901

Labor Leaders

Goal: unionizeReducing hours,

higher wages, safer working conditions

Union membership grew—bosses still used violence

Injunctions were a new tool

Illinois (1893) passed 1st labor law—limiting women’s hours

Child Labor Reformers

Goal: end child laborMany parents DID

NOT support this—Why?

1st law—Illinois (1893)Jane Adams &

Florence Kelly (Chicago)—famous reformers

They also fought for women’s reforms

Government Reformers

Wanted to get rid of corruption

End Boss SystemBest way—Civil

Service SystemHome Rule (local

government out from states)

Muckrakers

Used investigative techniques

Informed the public of wrongs in business, government, and society

Most famous—Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

Pres. Roosevelt read their stuff

Sheep Run Video (funny)

Progressive Legislation (State & Local)

New forms of government (City Manager)

Cities take over utilitiesCities—welfare services; parksPrimaries, initiative, referendum, recallFire inspections; workers comp lawsMinimum wage and maximum hour laws

for womenChild Labor (under 14) abolished

Progressive Legislation (Federal)

16th Amendment (Income Tax)17th Amendment (Direct election of Senators)

18th Amendment (Prohibition)19th Amendment (Women right to vote)

Boldest Progressive: Carry Nation

I ran behind the bar, smashed the mirror and all the bottles under it; picked up the cash register, threw it down; then broke the faucets of the refrigerator, opened the door and cut the rubber tubes that conducted the beer. Of course it began to fly all over the house. I threw over the slot machine, breaking it up and I got from it a sharp piece of iron with which I opened the bungs of the beer kegs, and opened the faucets of the barrels, and then the beer flew in every direction and I was completely saturated.