Progressive Movement Notes

The Progressive Movement

Definition

  • The Progressive Era (1896–1916) was a period of widespread social activism and political reform in the United States.
  • Objectives: Addressing problems caused by:
    • Industrialization
    • Urbanization
    • Immigration
    • Political corruption

Muckrakers

  • Reform-minded journalists, writers, and photographers.
  • Exposed corruption and wrongdoing in established institutions.
  • President Roosevelt gave them the name in 1906.

Consumer Protection

  • Problems:
    • Dangerous chemicals used to preserve food (formaldehyde).
    • Unregulated drug industry (opium, morphine, cocaine, alcohol).
  • Solutions:
    • Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Imposed fines for mislabeling food and drugs.
    • Meat-Inspection Act (1906): Federal inspectors in packing houses.

Addressing Problems in Cities

  • Problems:
    • Rapid population explosion leading to overwhelmed city services.
    • Tenement housing issues: Disease, filth, fire.
    • City governments prone to corruption.
  • Political Machines: Offered services & jobs to voters in exchange for support.
    • Political Bosses controlled city jobs, licenses, building projects.
    • Kickbacks, bribes (graft).
  • Solutions:
    • Commission Form of Government: 5 elected officials to run city politics.
    • City-Managers: Hired to run the city like a business.
    • City-owned utilities.
    • Settlement House Movement: Community centers (e.g., Hull House by Jane Addams) offering social services.

Addressing Corruption in Government

  • Problems:
    • Special interest groups influencing government officials.
    • Party leaders selected candidates.
    • U.S. Senators chosen by state legislatures.
    • Elections were conducted in public.
    • The Spoils System.
  • Solutions:
    • Recall: Removing an officeholder from office.
    • Initiative: People putting questions up for a vote.
    • Referendum: Putting questions before the public.
    • Direct Election of Senators (17th Amendment).
    • Direct Primary Elections.
    • Secret ballot elections (Australian Ballot).

Addressing Labor Problems

  • Problems:
    • Women and Children in factories for 10-14 hours a day, 6-7 days a week.
    • Low pay, dangerous conditions, no protection.
    • Unskilled unions highly ineffective.
  • Solutions:
    • States begin passing minimum wage and maximum working hours.
    • Muller v. Oregon: Upheld maximum working hours for women.
    • Compulsory Education Laws (Reduced child Labor).
    • Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire: Led to building safety codes and workmen's compensation laws.

Addressing Unequal Distribution of Wealth

  • 1% of the population controlled 50% of the wealth.
  • Public schooling through high school only in cities.
  • Solutions:
    • Imposing graduated income taxes (16th Amendment).
    • Compulsory Education Laws.
    • More technical high school education.
    • Creation of more State Colleges and Universities (trade schools).

Addressing the Rise of Big Business

  • Problems:
    • Large Corporations and Trusts used methods like price-fixing, underselling, and rebates to take over industries.
    • Corporations influenced politicians.
  • Solutions:
    • Resurrection of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
    • Presidents Roosevelt and Taft as "Trust-Busters".
    • Creation of a Department of Commerce to regulate the practices of the private sector.

Addressing Gender Inequality

  • Fifteenth Amendment (1871): Granted African-American men the right to vote but disappointed many women.
  • National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Strategies:
    • Win suffrage state by state.
    • Pass a Constitutional Amendment.
  • 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.