1. Chapter 9: The Progressive Era 1890-1920
Section 1: The Origins of Progressivism

2. I. The Origins of Progressivism A. Introduction
1. Progressivism. What is it?
a political movement which sought to improve daily life.
when?
2. The Progressive Movement began in
cities because of industrialization. For example,
urban and rural poverty and blight
child labor
immigration
political corruption
public health
poor working conditions
monopolies 2

3. Industrial Reform (fostering efficiency) Economic Reform
Social Welfare Reform
Goal:
Moral Reform
Goal:
Examples:
Examples:
Four Goals of Progressivism
Summery:
Industrial Reform (fostering efficiency)
Goal:
Economic Reform
Goal:
Examples:
Examples:

4. Industrial Reform (fostering efficiency)
Social Welfare Reform
Goal: To soften some of the harsh conditions of industrialization
Moral Reform
Goal: To uplift immigrants and the poor by improving personal behavior
Examples:
Prohibition
WCTU/Francis Willard
Anti-Saloon League
Examples:
YMCA
Settlement Houses
Salvation Army
Florence Kelly
Four Goals of Progressivism
Summery: Middle Class Reformers addressed problems such as, unsafe working conditions, role of corporations, and making government more democratic.
Economic Reform
Goal: To question the uneven balance among big business, government, and ordinary people under capitalism.
Industrial Reform (fostering efficiency)
Goal: To improve society through science/technology
Examples:
Brandeis Brief
Frederick Winslow Taylor
Scientific Management
Henry Ford
Examples:
Socialism
Eugene V. Debs
Muckrakers
Ida M. Tarbell vs. Standard Oil

5. B. The Four Goals 1. Social Welfare Reform.
Goal: To soften some of the harsh conditions of industrialization
How
Settlement Houses: Homes for the homeless/immigrants/poor
YMCA: libraries and sports for poor
Salvation Army: Soup kitchens
Henry Street Settlement
Hull House

6. Florence Kelly
(September 12, 1859 – February 17, 1932)
Fought against sweatshops and for the minimum wage, eight-hour workdays and children's rights.

7. 2. Promoting Moral Improvement.
Goal: To uplift immigrants and the poor by improving personal behavior
How?
Prohibition: ban alcohol/ Carry Nation
WCTU: went into saloons and made scene
Kindergartens, visiting sick and prisons
(November 25, June 9, 1911)

8. 3. Creating Economic Reform.
Goal: To question the uneven balance among big business, government, and ordinary people under capitalism.
How?
Some people looked for a new economic systems.
Socialism: Eugene V. Debs
Said business had too much power
Government can be trusted more than individuals
Monopolies should be broken apart
(November 5, 1855 – October 20, 1926)

9. Muckrakers: Journalists who wrote about corporate abuses
Ida Tarbell: Wrote The History of the Standard Oil Company in 1904.
Helped lead to the break up of Standard Oil.
(November 5, 1857 – January 6, 1944)
John D. Rockefeller
(July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937)

10. 4. Industrial Reform (Foster Efficiency)
Goal: To improve society through science/technology
How?
Shortened hours, better conditions
Scientific Management
Assembly lines
Not always better for workers
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin
Modern Times (1936)

11. Cleaning Up Local Government
Reforming Local Government
Reform Mayors
Topics:
Topics:

12. Cleaning Up Local Government
Summery: Cities were in trouble. Poverty and political corruption were very common.
Reforming Local Government
Reform Mayors
Topics:
Commission Government (Galveston, Texas)
Council-manager Government (Dayton, Ohio)
People elected city council who in turn selected an Individual to “manage” the city.
Topics:
Hazen Pingree (Detroit)
Fair taxes
Transportation
End corruption
Help the unemployed
Tom Johnson (Cleveland)
Socialist
Took over utilities
Circus tent meetings

13. Statue of Pingree in Grand Circus Park, Detroit.
II. Government Reform
A. City Government
1. Too much corruption
2. Reform Mayor
a. Hazen Pingree: Detroit
Targeted corrupt utility companies, railroads and construction.
Built schools and parks
He gained national recognition through his "potato patch plan," a systematic use of vacant city land for gardens which would produce food for the city's poor.
Hazen Stuart Pingree
(August 30, 1840 – June 18, 1901)
Statue of Pingree in Grand Circus Park, Detroit.

14. II. Government Reform (cont.) A. City Government (cont.)
1. Tom Johnson (Cleveland)
Socialist
Fired corrupt officials
Took over utility companies
Circus tent meetings

15. Efforts to Limit Working Hours
Reform Governors
Efforts to Limit Working Hours
Reform at the State Level
Summery: Reform railroads, industry and other large businesses
Protecting Working Children
Reforming Elections
Direct Election of Senators

16. Efforts to Limit Working Hours
Reform Governors
Efforts to Limit Working Hours
Topics:
Muller v. Oregon, 1908
Bunting v. Oregon, 1917
Injury/death Benefits
Topics:
Robert M. La Follette (Wisconsin)
Railroad
Reform at the State Level
Summery:
Protecting Working Children
Reforming Elections
Direct Election of Senators
Topics:
Secret Ballot
Initiative
Referendum
Recall
Topics:
National Child Labor Committee
Keating-Owen Act, 1916
Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional
Topics:
17th Amendment

17. B. State Government 1. Governor Robert Lafollette (Wisconsin)
Targeted the RR. Why?
To protect children
Too many children working
Earning less pay
Not going to school
Victims of accidents
What would that mean for future?
Used photography to show horrors
Led to the Keatings-Owen Act (1916): stopped transportation of goods produced by children across state lines.
(June 14, 1855– June 18, 1925)

18. C. Election Reforms Promote Democracy and Citizen Action Examples
Initiative
Secrete ballot
Recall
Referendum
17th Amendment: Direct election of Senators

19. Child Labor Today