History Standard 14

Some progressive era journalist (muckrakers) (Jacob Riis) (uptown Sinclair the jungle) attacked what they saw as political corruption, social injustice, and economic inequality, while reformers, often from the middle and upper classes and including many women, worked to effect social changes in cities (triangle shirtwaist) and among immigrant populations

The progressive (Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson)(Robert lafollette)(Eugene V. Debs) (election of 1912) were divided over many issues. Some progressives supported southern segregation, while others ignored its presence. Some progressives advocate expanding popular participation in government (17th amendment), while others called for greater reliance on professional and technical experts to make government more efficient (city manager plan). Progressives also disagreed about immigration restriction.

On the national level, progressive sought federal legislation that they believed would effectively regulate the economy (trust busting) (Lochner v New York) (muller v Oregon), expand democracy, and generate moral reform. Progressive amendments to the constitution dealt with issues such as prohibition and women suffrage (19th amendment).

Preservations and conservationist both supported the establishment of national parks while advocating different government responses to the overuse of natural resources

Origins of Progressivism: built on work of populist reforms and union activists of the gilded age, 3 progressive presidents: Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson

What were the progressives: 1. Society needed change to limit power of big business, improve democracy and strengthen social justice 2. Government was proper agency making changes 3. Moderate reforms were better than radical

Who were the progressives? 1. Urban middle class 2. Professional class 3. Religion (missionary spirit, social gospel, Christian’s had responsibility to help urban poverty) 4. Leadership (strong leaders, William Jennings Bryan, La Follett, and presidents) 5. Progressives’ philosophy (committed to democratic values, government could improve peoples’ lives 6. Pragmatism (truth must pass public test of observable results, in democracy should experiment with ideas test in action) 7. scientific management (organizing people in efficient manner)

The Muckrakers: investigative journalists exposing political corruption, Jacob riis How the other half’s lives (1890) and Upton Sinclair The jungle (1906)

Political reforms: secret ballot, direct primary, direct election of senators, initiative, referendum, and recall

McClures magazine: one of the more popular magazines in the early 1900s, focused on social commentary, politics, and reform, and Ida M. Tarbell, investigative journalist; published “history of the standard oil company as a 19 part series in McClures in 1904; sweeping expose of the tactics of John d. Rockefeller; exposed corrupt practices; collision with railroad companies to snuff out competition in the oil business, his use of predatory pricing, and his efforts to get around federal anti-trust laws; public backlash against Rockefeller was severe; 1911, Supreme Court ruled that standard oil had violated the Sherman antitrust act and ordered that the company be broken up

Lincoln Steffens; investigative journalist; published “the shame of the cities” in 1903; report on the unspeakable and working conditions for the urban poor

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