1. “Changing American Life”
The Progressive Era
“Changing American Life”

2. What is Progressivism?
Progressivism: Time period during which Americans
sought to return control of the government to the people,
restore economic opportunities, and correct injustices in
American life.

3. Who exposed some of the wrongs/problems in American Society?
Muckrakers: Journalist who wrote about the corrupt
side of business and public life.

4. What reforms took place during Progressivism?
Government Reforms
1) 17th Amendment = People elect Senators (Direct election)
2) Initiative = A bill put on the ballot by the people.
3) Referendum = A vote on the initiative
4) Recall = Allowed voters to remove public officials from elected positions by forcing them to force another election.

5. What reforms took place during Progressivism?
Social Welfare
1) Founding of the YMCA
- Opened libraries, sponsored classes, and built pools and basketball courts
2) The Salvation Army
- Fed poor people in soup kitchens, looked after children.

6. What reforms took place during Progressivism?
Moral Reforms
1) Prohibition: The outlawing of alcohol.
* The Anti-Saloon League called alcohol “Demon Rum”

7. What is Women’s suffrage?
Suffrage: The right to vote
* 19th Amendment: The 19th Amendment is added to the United States Constitution and Women finally receive the right to vote in 1920.

8. What reforms took place during Progressivism?
Protecting Workers
1) Reduction in Child Labor (Eventually leading to child labor being outlawed)
* Children developed health problems, more likely to have accidents, and kids picked up bad habits such as smoking, drinking and cursing.
2) Workers hours cut (10 hour work day
for men)
3) Workers’ Compensation was added for
families who had family members.