What were some of the problems in America’s economy and society during the Gilded Age?

The problems and successes of the Gilded Age motivated some Americans to push for reform in America. How can problems and successes lead to the same thing?

The Progressive Era 1890-1920

“Liberal” & “Conservative” What do these terms mean? Liberals Conservatives believe that governments exist to serve the people and have an obligation to use their powers to help address social problems. believe that government’s powers should be limited to essential functions. That government cannot solve social problems and too much government interferes with people’s lives.

The Progressive Era Who were the Progressives? Mostly Northerners. Most lived in cities and suburbs. Most were professionals and educated. Both men and women. Most were white, some were African American. Many were journalists, authors and photographers. Progressive Presidents – T. Roosevelt, W.H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson

The Progressive Era What problems did they see in society? Social Problems Economic Problems Political Problems crime poverty corruption overcrowded cities monopolies lack of voter input lack of services for people low wages for workers women couldn’t vote immigrants weren’t socialized unsafe working conditions political machines child labor gap between rich and poor lack of regulation discrimination long working hours Jim Crow laws homelessness environmental damage

The Progressive Era Progressive Methods How would Progressives solve these problems? What methods would they use? What methods do we have today to solve problems in society?

The Progressive Era Progressive Methods: Local organizations – motivate people Marches Protests Strikes Using the media - expose the problem Muckrakers Running for office – change the system Starts at the local level but grows

The Progressive Era Goals of Progressives: Political Progressivism- Make government more responsive End corruption Give voters more power Increase government’s regulatory powers

The Progressive Era Political Progressivism Successes Presidents – Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Woodrow Wilson Primary elections Direct election of Senators Initiative, recall and referendum Women’s suffrage Anti-trust laws Government regulation of railroads Some worker safety laws FDA Increased government involvement (environment, banking)

The Progressive Era Failures of the Progressive Era Political: Most states did not have primary elections Political machines lived on No protection for minorities (African-Americans, Chinese)

The Progressive Era Goals of Progressives Economic Progressivism Improve the lives of workers (pay, hours, conditions) Stop monopolies Close the gap between rich and poor Protect our resources End child labor Increase government regulation of businesses End poverty

The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era Economic Progressivism Successes 16th Amendment – Income Tax Anti-Trust laws Some child labor laws Some labor unions succeed Some working conditions improve Some states adopt 8 hour work days Increased government regulation of businesses Protection of the environment begins

The Progressive Era Failures of the Progressive Era Economic: Child labor continued Long hours & poor working conditions continued Unions see little success Gap between rich and poor continued

The Progressive Era Goals of Progressives Social Progressivism – Improve services for the poor Fix social problems Make a unified “American” society Get government more involved in social issues

The Progressive Era Social Progressivism Successes More charities Better schools Settlement Houses Civil Rights groups formed Women get some more respect Professional police forces Improved health care in cities

The Progressive Era Failures of the Progressive Era Social: Discrimination continued Women still unequal Poverty still existed Progressives went too far – pressured people to live their lives a certain way. How would this make people feel about Progressives?

The Progressive Era What’s the final verdict? How successful were they in accomplishing their goals? What effect did they have on our lives today?

Why did Progressives push for this law? The Progressive Era The Biggest Failure Prohibition The 18th Amendment (1919) made the “manufacture, sale or transportation” of alcohol illegal. Why did Progressives push for this law?

The Progressive Era Prohibition

The Progressive Era Prohibition Alcohol was seen as the root of many evils Child and spousal abuse Poverty Homelessness Crime Most people in cities opposed this law and ignored it.

The Progressive Era Prohibition What did Prohibition do? Crime increased Ordinary Americans broke the law. Organized crime was born Turned people against Progressives Widened the gap between rural and urban Americans

The Progressive Era The End of the Era Why does Progressivism end? World War One (1914-1918) preoccupied people Prohibition – gave Progressives a bad name Fatigue – people got tired of Progressives trying to save the world and make everyone behave a certain way.