1. America Seeks Reforms in the Early 20th Century
The Progressive Era
America Seeks Reforms in the Early 20th Century

2. The Bourbon Triumvirate
Democrats controlled Georgia’s government after Reconstruction.
Powerful Democratic leaders, known as the “Bourbon Triumvirate” were Joseph E. Brown, Alfred H. Colquitt, and John B. Gordon.
Their goals were:
expand Georgia’s economy and ties with industries in the North;
maintain the tradition of white supremacy.

3. The Bourbons are Targeted and Criticized
“Independent Democrats” criticized the Bourbons for not attending to the needs of the poor or improve education and working conditions in factories.

4. Origins of Progressivism
As America entered the 20th century, middle class reformers at the municipal, state, and national levels addressed the problems of the Gilded Age, including:
Economic inequities
Environmental issues
Social welfare
Working conditions
Rights for women and children

5. The Progressive Movement
Goal: Progress!
Society
Business
Government
fight poverty
improve working conditions
votes for women
prison reform
outlaw alcohol
break up large corporations
regulate businesses
decrease corporate power in government
greater voice of “the people”
more voters
did not seek to increase participation of blacks in elections

6. Women in Public Life Rebecca Latimer Felton
Before the Civil War, American women were expected to devote their time to home and family.
By the late 19th and early 20th century, women were visible in the workforce.
Rebecca Latimer Felton
Read pages in your Georgia Studies Book.
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7. Child Labor Laws
Progressives increased regulation to protect child laborers
Minimum wage
Compulsory school attendance laws
Laws protecting children against work in dangerous places and using dangerous equipment (for example: mines)
In Georgia, most child workers in cotton fields or textile factories
In the North, child workers were in “sweatshops”