The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era 1890-1920 Political and social reform movement Did not seek to overthrow capitalism, but rather address the massive problems of urbanization and industrialization Mainly a white, middle-class movement. Did NOT address racial issues.

The Muckrakers Journalists who exposed social problems and political corruption but did not propose solutions Thomas Nast – cartoonist known for exposing Boss Tweed Upton Sinclair – His book The Jungle exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry Ida Tarbell – journalist who wrote about the Standard Oil Company Lincoln Steffens – exposed corruption in city government in St. Louis

Progressive Reforms—Political Problem: Politics controlled by political machines (bosses) The most famous political machine, Tammany Hall, was brought down by the most famous political cartoonist, Thomas Nast.

Solutions: 17th Amendment: people, NOT state legislatures elect senators Recall: Remove a corrupt elected official Referendum: Allows voters to approve/reject a law (taxes) Initiative: Allows voters to propose laws Secret ballot: end control of bosses

Progressive Reforms—Political Problem: Women did not have the right to vote Solution: The 19th Amendment (1920)

Progressive Reforms—Social Problem: Children / Teenagers labored in dangerous working conditions for long hours and little pay. Solutions: Between 1880 and 1910, 36 states passed laws on the minimum age for manufacturing workers.

These are Bobbin Boys; small children could fit into small places.

These Breaker Boys work in the coal mines

These mill girls are in their early teens

These boys work in a canning factory; note the condition of their hands.

This young man is 5 years old. He is a shrimp picker.

This newsie is 5 years old and 41 inches tall.

This young man is 8 years old This young man is 8 years old. He has just recovered from his second bout with pneumonia.

Progressive Reforms—Social Problem: Alcohol consumption led to crime and poor worker’s efficiency. Solution: The 18th Amendment (1919) prohibited the production, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States from 1919-1930.

Progressive Reforms—Social Problem: Food and medication were unsafe for human consumption. Solutions: Meat Inspection Act (1906) required federal inspection of meat and meatpacking plants. Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) prohibited the manufacture, sale, or shipment of impure or falsely labeled food and drugs

Progressive Reforms—Environmental Problem: The nation’s bountiful natural resources were being used up at an alarming rate. Solutions: Mining and lumbering was regulated on federal lands. Millions of acres were set aside for national forests, wildlife preservations and national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone.

Progressive Reforms—Economic Problem: Farmers and business owners were paying high railroad shipping rates to the Railroad Trust. Solution: Hepburn Act (1906) This act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set (or regulate) railroad rates.

Progressive Reforms—Economic Problem: The Constitution did not allow the federal government to directly tax the income of individuals. Solution: The 16th Amendment (1913) gives the federal government the power to tax the income (income tax) of individuals directly.

Progressive Reforms—Economic Problem: Depositors did not have confidence in the banking system. Solution: The Federal Reserve Act (1913) created 12 regional banks to be supervised by a Board of Governors, appointed by the President. The board controlled the interest rates and the amount of money in circulation.