The Progressive Era 1_CH

THE PROGRESSIVE ERA

• The Progressive Era was characterized by significant reforms that changed politics, society, and business in the United States.

Before the Progressives: The Populists

• Populist Party Origin:

  • Emerged as a farmers' movement against corporate farmers in the Plains states.

  • Expanded to include immigrant workers, urban slum residents, and laborers disadvantaged by government favoritism towards big business.

Populist Party Platform

• Key Proposals (adopted 1892):

  • Graduated income tax.

  • Government ownership of railroads and telegraphs.

  • Free silver policy.

  • Bank regulation.

  • Direct election of Senators.

• 1892 Presidential Election:

  • Candidate: James B. Weaver received 8.5% of the vote.

  • Limited urban East popularity, particularly amongst Republicans in the Midwest.

Economic Depression of the 1890s

• Cause: Began with the Panic of 1893 due to:

  • McKinley Tariff and repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.

  • Failures of major railroads and stock market crashes.

  • Resulted in widespread business failures and bank runs.

• Impact:

  • Severe economic hardship for urban poor (20-25% industrial unemployment).

  • Harsh winter compounded unemployment leading to starvation.

  • Rural America faced a nearly 20% drop in farm prices.

  • Cleveland sought help from J.P. Morgan, averting total financial collapse.

  • Gold discovery in Alaska later resolved the gold crisis.

Shifts in Government View

• As the Depression continued, public perception of government responsibility shifted towards more active involvement in business and social issues, ushering in the Progressive Era.

1896 Election Overview

• Democratic Party:

  • Nominated William Jennings Bryan focusing on free silver.

  • Aimed to win over farmers, reluctantly endorsed by Populists.

• Republican Party:

  • Nominated William McKinley advocating for the gold standard and high tariffs.

  • Utilized modern campaigning techniques focusing on advertisements over personal engagement.

  • Supported by big businesses.

• Outcomes:

  • Republicans won, due to superior funding and broader appeal.

Reasons for Democratic Loss

• Contributing Factors:

  • Outspent and limited constituency failed to connect with urban workers or middle-class citizens.

  • Lost traditional voter base including Jews and Catholics due to Bryan's positions.

  • Misalignment with a rapidly changing American society predominantly focused on industrial and urban contexts.

The Fizzling of Populism

• Gold discovery made the silver issue irrelevant, leading to the decline of the Populist Party.

• The essence of Populism was absorbed into the Ideals of the new Progressive Party formed in the early 1900s, leading to a resurgence of populism in major parties today.

What was the Progressive Movement?

• A response to industrialization's problems, primarily catalyzed within urban centers.

• Goals included enhancing democratic governance, addressing urban issues, and curbing corporate power.

Distinctions of the Progressive Movement

• Not a movement:

  • To overthrow the social order.

  • To eliminate business, but to reform it towards humaneness.

Key Figures in the Progressive Movement

• Composed mainly of middle-class women, political machines, intellectuals, and journalists.

Rise of the Middle Class

• The Second Industrial Revolution spawned a new middle class of white-collar workers (e.g., secretaries, technicians, etc.) who initiated reform efforts.

Middle Class Progressives

• Middle-class women, especially, led movements for reform through settlement houses and women’s clubs focused on aiding the needy.

Political Machines and Corporate Leaders

• Acknowledged that city issues were complex and beyond personal resolution. However, some corporate leaders eventually adopted progressive reforms.

Areas of Reform Sought by Progressives

• Political, economic/business, social, and labor reforms.

Progressive Approach to Reform

• Emphasized study and organization of issues, showing respect for scientific findings and expertise in solutions.

The Role of Artists and Writers

• Muckrakers:

  • Investigative journalists uncovering misconduct in various sectors.

  • Notable publications: McClure’s and Collier’s.

Famous Muckrakers

• Ida Tarbell: Investigated Standard Oil, contributing to the company's downfall.

• Lincoln Steffens: Exposed political corruption in cities.

• Upton Sinclair: Revealed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, instrumental in passing the Meat Inspection Act.

• John Spargo: Highlighted child labor issues in mining.

Photojournalists

• Jacob Riis: Documented slum conditions in "How the Other Half Lives."

• Lewis Hine: Captured images of child labor, driving reform movements.

Political Reforms Overview

• Focused on improving government structures and accountability, addressing urban mismanagement and corruption.

City Government Reforms

• Council-Manager Systems: Elected councils appoint a professional manager, reducing immigrant influence.

Key Political Reforms

• Secret Ballot: Introduced to reduce coercion in elections.

• Direct Primary: Allowed party members to select their presidential candidates.

17th Amendment

• Enabled the direct election of Senators, increasing democratic accountability.

Initiative, Referendum, and Recall

• Initiative: Voters can propose legislation.

• Referendum: Legislators can refer bills to voters for direct approval.

• Recall: Mechanism for voters to remove elected officials.

Labor Conditions

• Rise of Corporations: Despite wage growth, many remained in poverty; families depended on every member working, including children as young as 10.

• Dangerous work environments plagued by high fatality rates in industries.

Worker Safety Regulations

• Advocated by political bosses responding to worker safety crises, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, leading to various safety laws.

Florence Kelley's Advocacy

• Investigated factory conditions, successfully pushing for laws against child labor and limits on women’s work hours.

Social Reforms in Cities

• Included public parks, improved sanitation, health facilities, and beautification projects (e.g., Burnham's Plan of Chicago).

Rise of Socialism

• Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) emerged to advocate for public ownership of major industry sectors.

• Democratic socialism gained traction, focusing on social ownership while maintaining democratic governance with an emphasis on worker-managed enterprises.

Final Thoughts

• Initial reform movements spurred significant political and social change with broad support across various societal segments, setting the stage for future reforms, albeit many required time to truly influence society.

• Which reform resonated most, and why?

• Are there Christian concerns regarding these reforms?

• Which reform discussed has had the most long-term impact, and why?

Sure! Here are some quiz questions based on the Progressive Era notes:

1. What was the main purpose of the Populist Party in the late 1800s?

2. Name two key proposals from the Populist Party platform adopted in 1892.

3. What event triggered the economic depression of the 1890s in the United States?

4. What significant shift occurred in public perception regarding government responsibilities during the Progressive Era?

5. Who was the Democratic candidate in the 1896 presidential election, and what was his stance?

6. How did the Republican Party campaign differ from the Democratic Party in the 1896 election?

7. Which muckraker wrote about the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry?

8. What significant political reform was established by the 17th Amendment?

9. What social reform initiatives emerged in cities during the Progressive Era?

10. What advocacy work did Florence Kelley accomplish regarding child labor?