Unit 2, day 2

Page 1 — Progressivism Snapshot

Timeframe: Progressive Era reforms aimed at addressing social, political, and economic problems.
Core idea: Reformers sought to fix society through government action and policy changes, not just private charity.
Theme: Enthusiasts who keep focused on end goals can drive large-scale movements.

Goals of the Progressive Movement included: Returning\ control\ of\ the\ government\ to\ the\ people, Restoring\ economic\ opportunities, Expanding\ public\ education.
Not included: Restricting\ the\ rights\ of\ women\ and\ children (Progressives generally supported expanded rights and protections for women and children, not restrictions).
Bonus prompts: Consider whether a company can become too big; think about modern examples and potential consequences (regulatory response, antitrust concerns).

Who she was: Investigative journalist, educator, feminist; one of the founders of the NAACP.
Whites’ justification for lynching: claimed acts were criminal; Wells showed this was often unfounded and used to control Black people who competed with whites.
Meaning of the quote: Turning the light of truth on wrongs exposes injustice and motivates reform.
Example of Wells’ work: Documenting lynching and exposing its discriminatory use in the South.
Questions to consider: 1) How did whites justify lynching and what did Wells prove? 2) What does her quote mean and what is an example of it?

Core shift: Progressivism moved laws from laissez-faire to regulatory government.
Implication: Government began to intervene to regulate big business, protect consumers, and improve social welfare.

Policy focus: Laissez-faire stance toward business.
Negatives of laissez-faire: Lack of regulation allowed trusts/monopolies, exploitation of workers, unsafe products, and corruption.

Purpose: Expose society’s ills and corrupt practices.
Issues highlighted: Trusts & monopolies, food safety, consumer abuses, environmental abuses.
Key muckrakers: Ida Tarbell (Standard Oil), Upton Sinclair (Meat Packing).
Strategy: Investigative journalism to spur reform and public demand for regulation.

Focus: Unsanitary and dangerous conditions in meatpacking plants; vivid depictions of contamination and disease.
Immediate impact: Public outcry and political pressure for reform.
Legislative outcome linked to this era: Meat Inspection Act and related food safety reforms.
Quote reference: Illustrates how literature can reveal harsh realities behind economic systems.

Teddy Roosevelt: Trust-busting; conservation; Hepburn Act; contributed to court actions and legislative reforms.
Robert La Follette: State-level reform; direct primary; increased government responsiveness.
Upton Sinclair: The Jungle; spurred Meat Inspection and Pure Food/Drug Acts.
John Muir: Conservation of natural lands; helped establish and expand park systems (National Parks).
W. E. B. Du Bois: Civil and voting rights; Niagara Movement; NAACP formation.
Common thread: Progressive reforms spanned political, economic, environmental, and social realms.

Trust-busting & railroads: Sherman Antitrust Act; dissolution of monopolies; promoted competition.
Regulatory acts for railroads: Elkins Act + Hepburn Act (Interstate Commerce) to limit railroad rates and curb exploitation.
Consumer protection: Meat Inspection Act (federal meat inspection) and Pure Food & Drug Act (banned harmful ingredients).
Overall aim: Strengthen federal oversight to protect consumers, workers, and fair competition.

Women & children: Child labor regulation; age and hour limits; women’s suffrage (19th Amendment).
Worker protections: Workplace safety improvements.
Environmental protections: National Park System expansion.
Political reforms: 17th Amendment (Direct election of Senators) increased democracy; initiatives, referendums, and recalls.
Moral reforms: 18th Amendment (Prohibition) reflected women's influence in reform movements.

Describe 2 reforms of the Progressives:
- Example 1: Direct Election of Senators via 17^{ ext{th}} Amendment (increased democratic participation).
- Example 2: Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food & Drug Act (1906) to protect consumers and ensure safer goods, alongside nutrition labeling and regulation.
Optional reflection: Which reform was more successful and why? Consider long-term impacts on democracy, public health, and government power.