Progressive Era Lecture (1890-1920)

Progressive Era (1890-1920)

  • The Progressive Era was a significant period in American history characterized by social and political reforms aimed at addressing issues arising from industrialization and urbanization.

Introduction to the Progressive Era

  • Timeline: 1890 to 1920

  • Background Context:

    • Previous modules covered American Imperialism, the Gilded Age, Industrial Explosion, and Western Expansion.

    • The Gilded Age: An era marked by surface prosperity but underlying corruption and social issues.

  • The Progressive Era emerged as a response to problems brought on by rapid changes in America, including:

    • Industrialization

    • Urbanization

    • Immigration

    • Political corruption is linked to the economic power of businesses

Key Topics in the Progressive Era

  • Focus of the section:

    • Who were the progressives?

    • What problems did they aim to address?

    • How did the government handle reform?

    • Role of muckrakers in society

    • Significance of the 19th Amendment

Understanding Progressivism

  • Main Concept: Reform

    • Progressivism encompassed various ideas and actions aimed at addressing societal problems.

    • Problems included:

    • Urbanization and its effects

    • Industrialization and its hazards

    • Political corruption and the influence of big businesses on politics

  • Demographics of Progressives:

    • Composed of members from both major parties (Democrats and Republicans).

    • Predominantly white, Protestant, and from upper and middle classes.

    • Included African Americans, although they were a minority and often overlooked.

    • Typically college-educated, residing in urban areas.

    • Included:

    • Journalists

    • Social workers

    • Politicians

    • Educators

    • Clergy

  • Progressive Beliefs:

    • All social problems in America stemmed from urbanization and industrialization.

    • Goals included:

    • Improving workplace conditions.

    • Increasing voting population.

    • Cleaning up urban areas.

    • Promoting social equality for women.

    • Curbing the power of political bosses and machines.

Progressive Views on Government

  • Belief that the government had to be reformed to address societal problems.

  • Advocated for:

    • A more active role of government in solving social issues.

    • Opposition to laissez-faire policies.

    • Belief in fixing the government with the help of experts in various fields.

  • Sociologists, criminologists, and historians were viewed as necessary to guide reforms.

  • Noted issue: Despite expertise, many had biases regarding race and immigrants.

Main Objectives of Progressives

  • Direct Primary:

    • Aimed to diminish the power of political machines by allowing all party members to vote for candidates in the primary elections, diminishing the control previously held.

  • Initiative:

    • Allowed citizens to propose new laws, which would then be subject to state legislative approval.

  • Referendum:

    • Legislation passed by state legislators could be submitted to voters for approval.

  • Recall:

    • Voters could demand special elections to remove elected officials.

  • 17th Amendment (1912):

    • Established direct election of U.S. senators by voters rather than state legislatures.

Women's Suffrage Movement

  • Women were challenging traditional American values, moving away from domestic roles.

  • Key Points:

    • An increase in women attending colleges and seeking divorces empowered their activism.

    • Women's suffrage was seen as a potential large voting base for progressives.

  • Organizations formed to support suffrage included:

    • National Women's Suffrage Association (NWSA) - Founders included Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

    • American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA) - Included leaders like Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe.

    • Merged in 1890 to create the National American Women's Suffrage Association.

  • African American Women's Groups:

    • Formed their own organizations, such as the National Association of Colored Women (1896) led by I.D.B. Wells, due to exclusion from mainstream suffrage organizations.

  • Historical Context:

    • The 15th Amendment allowed black men to vote but largely excluded women, leading to discontent among black and women suffragists.

  • Racial Tensions:

    • Segregation within the suffrage movement; many white suffragists resisted Black women's voting rights.

Historical Progress on Voting Rights

  • Map indicating women's voting rights varied significantly across the country:

    • By region, differences were seen based on state laws regarding women's suffrage.

  • By 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified:

    • Stated: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

Issues of Labor and Social Justice

  • Context of Labor Reforms:

    • Industrial accidents were frequent, raising significant concerns about worker safety.

    • Notable incidents such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911), leading to the deaths of 150 women due to unsafe working conditions.

  • Muckrakers' Role:

    • Investigative journalists who highlighted issues of corruption, inept conditions, and workplace safety.

    • Notable muckrakers included:

    • Ida Tarbell: Exposed the monopoly tactics of Standard Oil.

    • Upton Sinclair: Authored The Jungle, which led to reforms in the meatpacking industry.

  • Significant Legislative Outcomes:

    • Muckrakers and progressive reformers led to:

    • The Meat Inspection Act (1907)

    • The Pure Food and Drug Act (1907)

  • Changes and protections that arose from the Progressive Era included:

    • Labor laws, workers' compensation, promotion of unionization, establishing an eight-hour workday, minimum wage laws, child labor laws, and compulsory education laws.

Conclusion

  • The Progressive Era established the groundwork for many modern labor protections and highlighted significant social reform movements.

  • Encouraged ongoing activism for rights and reforms, influencing future generations.

  • Contact Information: Questions and concerns can be addressed via email to the instructor.

  • Wishing Success: Best wishes to all students for a successful week ahead!