Progressive Movement Notes

Topic 7.4: The Progressives

Introduction

  • Quote by Woodrow Wilson (1912): Wilson expresses his alignment with Progressivism due to America not keeping pace with changes in economic and political conditions.

  • Learning Objective: Compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.

  • Comparison with Gilded Age reformers:

    • Both advocated for a larger government role and greater democracy.

    • The Progressives were more successful in their reforms.

  • Four Constitutional Amendments (illustrating progressivism):

    • Graduated income tax targeting the wealthy.

    • Direct election of senators (17th Amendment) to reform Congress.

    • Women's suffrage (19th Amendment).

    • Prohibition of alcohol (18th Amendment) aimed at societal improvement.

  • Impact: The successes and failures of the Progressive movement are debated, but its impact on American politics is undeniable.

Origins of Progressivism

  • As America transitioned into the 20th century, industrialization introduced unsettling changes:

    • Concerns about the power of big business.

    • Economic inequalities between rich and poor.

    • Violent conflicts between labor and capital.

    • Corruption prevalent in urban political machines.

    • Racism exemplified by Jim Crow laws affecting African Americans.

    • Women's suffrage advocates demanded greater democracy.

  • The Progressive movement built upon previous populist and union efforts, gaining momentum with the election of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.

  • The Progressive era spanned the presidencies of:

    • Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

    • William Howard Taft (1909-1913)

    • Woodrow Wilson (1913-1917)

  • Entry into World War I in 1917 shifted public attention away from domestic reforms.

Who Were the Progressives?

  • The Progressive movement included a wide array of reformers:

    • Protestant church leaders

    • African Americans

    • Union leaders

    • Feminists

  • Shared Beliefs:

    • Society needed changes to limit big business power, improve democracy, and strengthen social justice.

    • Government was the proper agency to implement these changes (local, state, or federal).

    • Preference for moderate reforms over radical changes.

  • Demographics: The majority of Progressives were middle-class, urban citizens. The urban middle class grew, incorporating a myriad of professions, including:

    • Doctors

    • Lawyers

    • Ministers

    • White-collar workers (bankers, managers).

The Progressives’ Philosophy

  • Historical Context: Progressivism viewed as part of a long reform tradition extending back to:

    • Jeffersonians (early 1800s)

    • Jacksonians (1830s)

    • Populists (1890s).

  • Commitment to Democratic Values: Progressives believed in the potential for honest government and just laws to better people’s lives.

  • Pragmatism:

    • Coined by William James and John Dewey.

    • Advocated testing ideas in action within a democratic society, opposing fixed ideas hindering reform.

    • Explains rejection of laissez-faire theories viewed as impractical in modern, complex societies.

  • Scientific Management: Introduced by Frederick W. Taylor, promoting efficiency in organization, believed that government could also be made efficient through expert management.

The Muckrakers

  • Role of Muckrakers: Investigative journalists exposed societal issues, educating the public about political, labor, and societal corruption.

  • Origins of the term: Coined by Theodore Roosevelt, who criticized them for focusing on negative aspects.

  • **Key Muckrakers:

    • Henry Demarest Lloyd**: Exposed corruption of Standard Oil in "Wealth Against Commonwealth" (1894).

    • Samuel Sidney McClure: Founded McClure’s Magazine, which popularized muckraking articles by authors like Lincoln Steffens and Ida Tarbell.

    • Jacob Riis: Author of "How the Other Half Lives" (1890), documenting poor urban conditions.

    • Upton Sinclair: Published "The Jungle," revealing conditions in the meatpacking industry, provoking public outcry leading to regulatory legislation.

Decline of Muckraking

  • By 1910, the popularity of muckraking declined due to:

    • Difficulty in maintaining sensationalism.

    • Economic pressures on publishers from banks and advertisers.

    • Corporations became more aware of their public image, influencing public relations strategies.

  • Legacy: Muckraking profoundly influenced public awareness of corruption leading to reform actions.

Political Reforms in Cities and States

Ideology of Efficient Government

  • Progressive belief in effective governance shaped political reforms:

    • Divided Progressives: some favored experts, while others believed in common citizens’ capacity for decision-making.

  • Voting Reforms:

    • Australian/Secret Ballot: Introduced in 1888, allowing voters to mark votes privately.

    • Direct Primaries: Established by Robert La Follette in 1903 for direct candidate nomination.

    • 17th Amendment (1913): Mandated the direct election of U.S. senators.

  • Initiative, Referendum, Recall: Mechanisms allowing voters to create laws (initiative), vote on laws (referendum), and remove unsatisfactory politicians (recall).

Municipal Reforms

  • Progressive reforms targeted corrupt city bosses:

    • Samuel M. Jones: Introduced comprehensive reforms in Toledo, Ohio.

    • Tom L. Johnson: Advocated tax reform and public ownership of utilities in Cleveland.

    • By 1915, two-thirds of cities owned their water systems, breaking the grip of private companies.

  • New Government Structures:

    • Commission Plan: Elected heads of city departments.

    • Manager-Council Plan: Expert city managers hired by elected councils.

State Reforms

  • Focused on federal versus state power.

  • Governed by reformist leaders such as Charles Evans Hughes and Hiram Johnson.

  • The Wisconsin Idea: Implemented by Robert La Follette, included regulatory commissions and direct democracy mechanisms.

Temperance and Prohibition

  • Rise of the Temperance Movement: Divided urban and rural reformers. The temperance movement sought alcohol prohibition.

  • Drys vs. Wets: Prohibitionists aimed to legislate morality through alcohol restrictions.

Social Welfare

  • Improvement of urban life due to settlement houses and volunteers with leaders like Jane Addams advocating for immigrant and workforce needs.

  • Child and women labor: Progressives sought to create labor protections for children and women, leading to landmark legislation.

Political Reform at the National Level

Theodore Roosevelt

  • Roosevelt's presidency marked an increase in Progressive reforms:

    • Square Deal: Aimed to provide fairness to both labor and business.

    • Trust-Busting: Aggressively pursued antitrust actions.

    • Regulatory Laws: Enforced the Elkins Act and Hepburn Act to regulate railroads.

William Howard Taft

  • Continued Progressive Policies: Focused on antitrust prosecutions and regulatory reforms but faced backlash from Roosevelt supporters.

    • Mann-Elkins Act and 16th Amendment: Strengthening regulation and introducing a federal income tax.

Woodrow Wilson

  • Establishment of New Freedom: Addressed corporate power and initiated economic reforms such as the Underwood Tariff and the Federal Reserve Act.

African Americans in the Progressive Era

Racial Issues Ignored

  • Most Progressive leaders overlooked the plight of African Americans amidst their reforms.

Washington vs. Du Bois

  • Booker T. Washington: Focused on economic advancement and education.

  • W.E.B. Du Bois: Advocated for immediate civil rights.

New Civil Rights Organizations

  • Founded the NAACP in 1908 aiming for civil rights and educational opportunities.

Women and the Progressive Movement

Campaign for Suffrage

  • Women’s activism surged in the Progressive Era, culminating in the 19th Amendment (1920) securing voting rights.

Other Issues Addressed

  • Women’s issues expanded to include education, healthcare, and rights in marriage and business.