The Progressive Era

“Changing American Life”

What is Progressivism?

Progressivism: Time period during which Americans

sought to return control of the government to the people,

restore economic opportunities, and correct injustices in

American life.

Who exposed some of the

wrongs/problems in American Society?

Muckrakers: Journalist who wrote about the corrupt

side of business and public life.

What reforms took place during

Progressivism?Government Reforms1) 17th Amendment = People elect Senators (Direct

election)

2) Initiative = A bill put on the ballot by the people.

3) Referendum = A vote on the initiative

4) Recall = Allowed voters to remove public officials from

elected positions by forcing them to force another election.

What reforms took place during

Progressivism?Social Welfare1) Founding of the YMCA

- Opened libraries, sponsored classes, and built pools and

basketball courts

2) The Salvation Army

- Fed poor people in soup kitchens, looked after children.

What reforms took place during

Progressivism?

Moral Reforms1) Prohibition: The outlawing of alcohol.

* The Anti-Saloon League called alcohol “Demon Rum”

What is Women’s suffrage?

Suffrage: The right to vote* 19th Amendment: The 19th Amendment is added to the

United States Constitution and Women finally receive the

right to vote in 1920.

What reforms took place during

Progressivism?

Protecting Workers1) Reduction in Child Labor (Eventually leading to child

labor being outlawed)

* Children developed health problems, more likely to have

accidents, and kids picked up bad habits such as smoking,

drinking and cursing.

2) Workers hours cut (10 hour work day

for men)

3) Workers’ Compensation was added for

families who had family members.

Mr. Coal’s Story

?’s1) Mr. Coal is the narrator of this reading, what is Mr. Coal’s

identity?

2) What do the following jobs entail: “trapper boys,”

“greaser,” and “breaker boys?”

3) Explain what it was like for kids working in the coal

mines?

4) What point is the author of the article trying to make

when he states, “Do you suppose that the happy children

made warm by the coal ever think of the boys who helped

to get it ready for them.”

5) Do you think child labor still goes on in today’s world? If

yes, should anything be done about it? If no, why do you

think the practice of child labor has ended?