Overview of Progressivism and Its Key Figures

Progressivism

A reform movement in the early 20th century aimed at addressing problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption.

Four goals of Progressivism

1) Protecting social welfare 2) Promoting moral improvement 3) Creating economic reform 4) Fostering efficiency

Progressives

Middle-class reformers including journalists, teachers, politicians, and clergy who wanted to improve society.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption, poverty, and injustice in order to promote reform.

Upton Sinclair

Writing The Jungle, which exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.

Significance of The Jungle

It led to public outcry and the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.

Jane Addams

Founding Hull House and promoting social reform through the settlement house movement.

Settlement houses

Community centers in urban areas providing services to the poor and immigrants.

Reforms women fought for during the Progressive Era

Suffrage, labor rights, education, and prohibition.

Temperance movement

A campaign to limit or ban alcohol consumption, eventually leading to Prohibition.

Social Gospel

A movement that applied Christian ethics to social problems like poverty and inequality.

Ida B. Wells

An African-American journalist and activist who led an anti-lynching campaign.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote in 1920.

Progressives' efforts to make government more democratic

Through initiatives like direct primaries, referendums, recalls, and the 17th Amendment.

17th Amendment

Allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.