1. Origins of progressivism

2. Origins of the Progressive Era
Progressivism represented a common desire to improve life in the industrial age
Most Progressives were not radicals
Shared goals of limiting power of big business
Improve democracy for the people
Strengthen social justice
Achieving these goals required a more active role by the federal govt.
The Progressive Era ultimately improved quality of life, provided a larger role for regular citizens in the democratic process, and established a precedent for a more active role for the federal govt.

3. Origins of the Progressive era
Had its origins in the state reforms of 1880s-1890s
Picked up national momentum after Theodore Roosevelt was elected in 1901
U.S. entry into WWI diverted public attention away from the movement
But not before major regulatory laws had been achieved

4. Attitudes & Motives behind the Progressive Movement
Middle-class Americans were becoming more alarmed by:
Rising power of big business
Uncertainty of U.S. business cycle
Increasing income gap
Violent conflicts between labor and employers
Dominance of corrupt political machines
Who were the Progressives?
Protestant church leaders
African Americans
Union leaders
Feminists
Encompassed a belief that society badly needed changes, and the govt. was the agency needed to correct these social and economic problems

5. Middle and Professional Class progressives
Most progressives were middle-class men and women who lived in the cities
Members of the elite business and upper class took their civic responsibilities seriously
Belonged to business and professional associations that were trying to address corrupt business and govt. practices
Also tried to address urban social and economic problems

6. Religious Progressives
Protestant churches began preaching a code of social responsibility
This aspect of the Progressive Movement got its start in the Social Gospel Movement
Many Protestants felt their central role in American society had been replaced by wealthy industrialists and political machines

7. Leadership in the progressive movement
Without strong leadership, the diverse forces of the Progressive Movement wouldn’t have been able to achieve their goals
Theodore Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, Woodrow Wilson all provided the political leadership that had been lacking during the Gilded Age
The Progressives (like early reformists) were committed to democratic values and a shared belief in honest government, just laws

8. Pragmatism
Major changes in science (Darwinism) and academia challenged the way Americans thought and reasoned about society
Prevailing philosophy of romanticism, abstract ideals gave way to pragmatism
People should take a pragmatic, or practical, approach to morals, ideals, and knowledge
Should experiment with ideas and laws, and test them in action until they find something that would produce a well-functioning society
Instead of rely on ideas like the “invisible hand” of the economy or Social Darwinism

9. The Muckrakers
Before the public could get on board with reform, they needed to actually be aware/informed of the scandals/corruption in business, industry, and politics
Newspapers and magazines discovered their readers loved to hear about underhanded schemes in politics
Many publications began featuring in-depth investigative stories into these issues
Writers specializing in such stories were referred to as “muckrakers” by President Roosevelt

10. Origins of the Muckrakers
Earliest muckraker was Chicago report Henry Demarest Lloyd
1881: Lloyd wrote a series of articles attacking the practices of Standard Oil Co. and the railroads
1884: Wealth Against Commonwealth fully exposed the corruption and greed of the oil monopoly
But failed to suggest how to control it

11. Magazines and muckrakers
McClure’s became a major success by publishing muckraking articles by Lincoln Steffens (Boss Tweed, political machines) and Ida M. Tarbell (Standard Oil Co.)
Stories combined careful research with sensationalism
McClure’s, Collier’s, and Cosmopolitan competed fiercely to outdo their rivals with shocking exposes and investigations of political, economic scandal
Most popular series of articles were usually collected, published as best-selling books

12. The Decline of muckraking
Popularity of muckraking articles/books declined due to several factors:
Writers found it more and more difficult to top the last sensationalist story
Publishers were facing pressure from banks and advertisers to tone down their treatment of businesses
Corporations started becoming more aware of their public image created a new career field in the form of public relations
Muckraking still had a lasting effect on the Progressive era
It exposed the inequities, educated the public about corruption in politics and business, and paved the way for corrective action in regards to these issues

13. ?
How did the middle-upper classes get involved in the Progressive movement?
How did religious organizations and Protestant churches get involved in the Progressive movement?
What is the significance of pragmatism?
Who were the “muckrakers?”
Why did the popularity of muckraking articles and stories eventually decline?