1. Broad Based, Grass Roots Reform Movement (1900 – 1920)
Progressive Era
Broad Based, Grass Roots Reform Movement
(1900 – 1920)

2. Roots of Progressivism
Land of the Free
Arose from Laissez Faire debate…
Gov could be used to improve American life

3. Disempowerment Diverse Support
Urban middle class.
Writers – Muckrakers.
Farmers – former populists.
Industrial workers & labor unions.
Evangelical Protestants
Women
Political leaders – Teddy Roosevelt (R), Wilson (D).

4. Progressive Beliefs World had Changed.
Individualistic Freedom (apart from) Interconnected Freedom (a part of)
Wage labor  Living wage
Freedom in Marketplace, not just workplace.
All Americans free to participate in shared consumer society – including women

5. Forward-Looking (Progress…ive)
Liked Industrialization
Did not want to return to agrarian past
Only wanted to correct evils and abuses of Gilded Age
Gov corruption, unfair business practices, child labor, loose morals
Believed in ability of experts to solve problems
But….

6. Moderate Reform Movement
Not radical / socialist
Democracy for the Able not everyone
Limited change
No racial equality
Limitation of immigration

7. Practical Goals of the Progressives:
Political:
Direct control over gov’t (initiative & referendum, recall, direct primaries)
Suffrage for women
Reduce corruption (secret ballot)
Economic:
Reform Business Practices & power
Bread & Butter Issues
End Child Labor
Social:
Protect Environment
Prohibition

8. Progressive Era Decision-Making
Use FRAME to create specific proposals in your area, focusing on Mental Simulation:
1. Workers
2. Food Safety
3. Corruption
4. Inequality / Monopolies
5. City Problems
Consider G reasoning (Parts/Wholes), CE, and Comps
Also implementation – how will your ideas happen?
Agree / Disagree – Discuss your proposals
Evaluate your proposal as compared to outcomes.

9. Federal Accomplishments
16th Amendment (1913) – national income tax.
17th Amendment (1913) – Direct election of senators.
18th Amendment (1919) – Prohibition (alcohol)
19th Amendment (1920) – Women’s right to vote.
Consumer protection– Pure Food & Drug Act.
Protection for union activities.
Sherman Antitrust Act
Restrict Big Business (Teddy Roosevelt)
Break Up Big Business (Woodrow Wilson)

10. State and Local Accomplishments –
Welfare benefits, workers’ comp laws.
Labor laws, including child labor
Consumer protection & health protection.
Democratic Reforms: Initiative, Referendum, Recall, Secret Ballots.
Environmental Protections
Schools

11. Women’s Movement Arguments
Women should be given the right to vote. Like men, they deserve the fundamental rights of mankind – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Central to political liberty is the right to vote.
Women should be given the right to vote. Their nature as compassionate, angelic creatures will clean up the corrupt politics of the Gilded Age. Besides, women are far more educated than the male immigrants and blacks who currently vote.

12. Reasoning
The Progressive Movement emerged from a number of forces in American society at the turn of the century. Former populists and labor organizations formed in the conflicts of the late 1800’s led the movement for better economic conditions for the common man. This was a central goal of the Progressives, so these groups supported laws requiring a 40-hour workweek, a minimum wage, worker safety and protection for unions and banning child labor. Second, writers known as muckrakers caused the Progressive Movement. Finally, Progressives were supported by urban middle class reformers who witnessed the horrible conditions of the nation’s cities.