TH2/7/13; T1/25/12; F1/7/11; M1/11/10; W 1/14/09 Roots of the Progressive Movement (Ch. 22.2; pp )

I. Early Roots middle-class intellectuals concerned over problems of industrialization wanted to fix urban & work problems reformers, not radicals fix system, not overturn it local solutions → state → later federal used rational “scientific” approach of late 19 th century to fix problems

II. Intellectual Roots turn-of-century intellectuals questioned Social Darwinism solve problems through science Thorstein Veblen (The Theory of the Leisure Class – 1899) William James (Pragmatism – 1907; Democracy & Social Ethics – 1902) Charles Beard (Economic History of US – 1913) Herbert Croly (The Promise of American Life – 1909)

III. Problems A. Education John Dewey – Democracy & Education (1916) “learning by doing” progressive education social action enrollment in schools skyrockets – 7M to 23M

III. Problems (cont.) B. Muckrakers reformers, social critics used new magazines – McClure’s, Colliers, New Republic Henry Demarest Lloyd – Wealth Against Commonwealth – 1894 (Chi.) – Standard Oil Frank Norris – The Octopus (1901) – RR’s David Graham Phillips – Susan Lenox: Her Rise and Fall (1917) – prostitution

III. Problems (cont.) B. Muckrakers (cont.) Theodore Dreiser – The Financier (1912) – lack of social conscience in business Jacob Riis – Other Half Lives (1890s) Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of the Cities (1904) – political corruption – St. Louis Ida Tarbell – History of Standard Oil Co. (1904) – corporate excess David Graham Phillips – Treason of the Senate (1906) Upton Sinclair – The Jungle –(1906) – meatpacking

III. Problems (cont.) C. Political Corruption try to stop political corruption in cities fought political machines (ex: Tammany Hall) usually m-c and/or wealthy elites often Republicans wanted permanent structural change city-manager system [compare to civil service reform] focused on new more democratic ideas: initiative referendum recall direct primary culminates w/ 17 th Amendment (direct election of Senators) reforms later corrupted

III. Problems (cont.) D. Urban Blight Daniel Burnham – Chi. built on Frederick Law Olmstead urban beautification clean up cities – garbage, street cleaning, tenement reform, public transportation successful – infant mortality, TB rates decline

III. Problems (cont.) E. Corporate Regulation/Factory Work Frederick Taylor – scientific approach to business Gov. Robert La Follette (WI) – “Fighting Bob” “Wisconsin Idea” fought for state reforms more state regulations & laws all at state level (later federal) child labor & 10-hour days impact of Triangle Shirt Waist Fire (1911)