1. The Origins of Progressivism

2. Why reform?
Strikes supporting workers were gaining support from general Americans
Urban counterpart to Populism
Supported by small businessmen, professionals and middle class; not supported by farmers

3. Creation of Progressivism
Formed the Progressive Movement
Wanted to “restore economic opportunities and correct injustices in American life”
Many ppl had different ideas of what this meant

4. Four Goals of Progressivism
1. Protecting Social Welfare
Florence Kelly
Advocate for improving lives of women and children
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Opened libraries, held classes
Salvation Army
Soup kitchens, “slum brigades”
2. Promoting Moral Reform
Idea: Morals, not workplace best place to improve lives
Prohibition
Banning of alcohol
Led by Women’s Christian Temperance Union
Carry Nation

5. Four Goals of Progressivism
3. Creating Economic Reform
Socialism was embraced; government control was wanted
Eugene V. Debs
American Socialist Party (1901)
Muckrakers
Journalists who wrote about corrupt side of business and public life
3. Fostering Efficiency
Believed in using experts and scientific principles to make society better
Ford’s assembly line
How quick tasks could be performed
Caused many injuries to workers due to fatigue

6. Cleaning Up Government
Cleaning up corruption
Political bosses rewarding supporters
Openly buying votes with bribes and favors

7. Cleaning Up Government
Local Government
natural disasters encouraged cities to have commissioners or city managers run the government
Adopted commission idea (group of ppl specifically in charge of a specific thing)
some cities elected progressive leaders to make desired changes
Ppl trained to do job; mayors

8. Cleaning Up Government
State Government:
Robert M. La Follette – progressive Republican leader
3 term Governor than joined Senate
Focused on reforming railroad industry
National Child Labor Committee
Used evidence to push forth bans on child labor in almost every state

9. Cleaning Up Government
State Government:
Legislation for workers
Assist women against powerful companies
Mandated a 10 hour work day for both genders
Compensation for working families where someone had been hurt or killed on the job

10. Election Reform
Initiative – legislation bill put forth by the public not lawmakers; voted on in a “referendum” by the public
Recall – let public remove public officials from elected positions; forced into another election

11. Election Reform
Voters won the right to have secret ballots, to initiate laws, and to select their candidates (direct primaries)
The 17th Amendment provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators