6.1.1: the progressive era
the age of reform
“A better America for all Americans”
Definition:
- Movement to improve American life by expanding democracy and achieving economic and social justice
- use government as an agency of human welfare
Objectives:
- accepted and hailed the benefits of the machine age but sought to correct its evils and problems
- began to look for ways to provide welfare & justice for everyone - ALL Americans
- restore the public’s belief in free enterprise and equality of opportunity – (American Dream was a myth not reality)
Aims:
- Political Reform → wanted to restore control of government to the people
- Economic & Social Reform → correct the abuses in American life
- Restore Equality of Opportunity → sought business and labor reforms
who were progressives?
- Unifying Characteristic: CAUSE!! (not ONE cause – just a Cause!)
- General Characteristics:
- “SPIRIT” or “ATTITUDE” >> call to Action!!!
- Cut across party lines – economic groups – classes – gender — race
- New middle class (young, educated professionals)
- Central Belief: America should be a better place for all people
roots of the progressive movement
- scientific investigation
- observation, experimentation, facts/truth
- idealism (“high” principles)
- Abraham Lincoln widely considered the hero of the progressive movement
- radical traditions
- politicians, radicals, socialists → writers: Lloyd, Veblen, Riss
- religion
- Christianity, spread of the social gospel
- feminists
- largely middle class, fought for gender equality and women’s suffrage
- civil rights
- fight for equality of the races, black power and increased suffrage