Study Notes on Progressivism and Reform

PROGRESSIVISM - THE PUSH FOR REFORM

Overview of Progressivism (1890-1920)

  • Progressivism emerged as a reform movement in response to the rapid industrialization and the social issues it created.

  • The push for reform was driven by:

    • Middle class businessmen and professionals.

    • Women advocating for various social changes.

  • Key issues included:

    • Prohibition of alcohol.

    • Women's suffrage (the right to vote).

Goals of Progressives

  • The movement encompassed a variety of goals aimed at improving society:

    • Regulation: To control and regulate various sectors of industry.

    • Ending Corruption: To eliminate corruption at all levels of government and industry.

    • Antitrust Laws: Enacting legislation to break up monopolies and promote competition.

    • Political Machines: To dismantle political machines and corrupt bosses influencing elections and governance.

    • Social Reforms: Introducing reforms to help the urban poor, including:

    • Addressing child labor issues.

    • Improving working hours and conditions for laborers.

    • Enhancing safety standards in workplaces.

Muckrakers

  • Definition: Muckrakers were journalists and writers who highlighted serious abuses within political, social, and economic systems.

  • Notable Muckrakers and their contributions:

    • Ida Tarbell and Henry Lloyd: Investigated and attacked the practices of Standard Oil, exposing its ruthless business behaviors.

    • Frank Norris: Wrote The Octopus, depicting the struggles of wheat farmers against railroad monopolies.

    • Lincoln Steffens: Authored Shame of the Cities, focusing on the corruption between big businesses and government.

    • Upton Sinclair: Wrote The Jungle, which revealed the horrific practices within the meat-packing industry.

    • Jacob Riis: Created How the Other Half Lives, depicting the dire living conditions in slums and tenements.

Battling Social Ills

  • Key court cases and events that influenced social change:

    • Muller v. Oregon (1908): Established limits on women’s working hours, recognizing that long hours could undermine women’s health and the welfare of families and communities.

    • Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911): A catastrophic event that led to increased awareness and prompted laws to regulate working hours and improve conditions in sweatshops.

    • Supreme Court Rulings (1917): The court upheld a law that mandated a 10-hour workday for factory workers, acknowledging the need for labor reforms.

Political Progressivism: State and Local

  • Reforms at state and local levels were crucial in breaking the control that political machines had:

    • State Reforms Include:

    • Australian (Secret) Ballot: To ensure voter privacy and reduce intimidation.

    • Direct Primaries: Allowing voters to select their party’s candidates directly.

    • Direct Election of Senators: Enabling citizens to vote for their senators directly.

    • Initiative: Empowering voters to propose legislation.

    • Referendum: Allowing citizens to vote directly on proposed laws.

    • Recall: Providing citizens the ability to remove corrupt officials from office.

    • Local/City Reforms:

    • Focus on controlling public utilities.

    • Instituting city commissions and managers for better governance.

    • Robert "Fightin' Bob" La Follette: A significant figure known for his efforts against political machines and corruption in Wisconsin, advocating for progressive reforms at the state level.