1. The Era of Progressive Reform 1890-1920
Chapter 19
The Era of
Progressive Reform

2. Section 1 The Origins of Progressivism
Chapter 19
Section 1
The Origins of Progressivism

3. A. Two Leading Reformers
I. Describe the new reform ideas that took hold at the turn of the century.
A. Two Leading Reformers
1- Henry George
a) poverty arose because some people bought and
held land until its price went up. Prevented land
productivity.
b) single tax – land not being used.
2- Edward Bellamy
a) government control and promotion of businesses.

4. I. Describe the new reform ideas that took hold at the turn of the century.
B. Socialists
1) Bellamy’s view of government control
2) Socialist Party won elections in municipal (city) government
C. Labor Movement
1) Unions focused on hours, wages, and working conditions.
2) Injunctions – court orders
D. Municipal Reform
1) Opposed political bosses
2) Home Rule – a system by which cities exercise a limited degree
of self-rule.

5. II. Summarize the methods muckrakers used to bring about reforms.
A. Muckraker-
1- Journalist who uncovers wrongdoing on the
part of politicians or corporations.
2- Upton Sinclair – The Jungle – meat packing
industry

6. III. List the goals that most progressive reformers had in common.
A. Progressive Era
1) Period from about 1890 to 1920, during which a variety of reforms were enacted at the local, state, an federal levels.
B. An Expanded Role for Government
1) Government must play a larger role in regulating economic
activity.
2) Opposed government control of businesses.
3) Social welfare programs – ensured a basic standard of living for
all Americans. Unemployment, accident, health insurance.

7. III. List the goals that most progressive reformers had in common.
C. Women work for reform
1) Jane Addams – need for government help
2) Florence Kelley – labor issues
a) NCL – National Consumers’ League
D. Resistance to Progressive Reforms
1) Employers who relied on child labor, unfair and unsafe
working conditions.

8. Section 2 Progressive Legislation
Chapter 19
Section 2
Progressive Legislation

9. I. Describe urban reforms that took place during the Progressive Era.
A. Attacking the Bosses
1) Battle between reformers and old political
bosses/machines.
B. Cities take over Utilities
1) Break-up of monopoly utilities: water, gas, electricity
2) City control or city-owned utilities
C. Providing Welfare Services
1) Public baths, parks, work-relief programs, homeless
housing.

10. II. Summarize the reforms made in state government that gave voters more power.
A. More Power to Voter
1- Direct Primaries
Election in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming elections
2- 17th Amendment
Voters allowed to chose their U.S. Senator
3- Initiative
Citizens can propose new laws on a petition
4- Referendum
Citizens may demand a law be approved or rejected
5- Recall
Ability to remove public officials

11. B. Reforms of the Workplace
II. Summarize the reforms made in state government that gave voters more power.
B. Reforms of the Workplace
1) Worked to end unsafe working conditions
2) Departments of Labor created

12. III. List the reforms that took place at the federal level.
A. Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”
1) Regulated food and drug industries
a) Pure Food and Drug Act 1906
b) Meat Inspection Act 1906
2) Regulated railroads
a) Hepburn Act 1906

13. III. List the reforms that took place at the federal level.
B. Antitrust Activism
1) Holding Company – corporation that holds the stocks and
bonds of numerous companies.
2) Anti-trust loop-hole
C. Protecting the Environment
1) Creation of national parks
2) U.S. Forest Service 1905
D. New Labor Department
1) Women and Children Bureaus

14. III. List the reforms that took place at the federal level.
E. New Constitutional Amendments
1) 16th Amendment (1913)
Congress has the power to levy income taxes.
2) 17th Amendment (1913)
Direct election of senators.
3) 18th Amendment (1919)
Prohibited the manufacture and sale of liquor.