Ch. 21_Progressive Era 2

Lesson Overview

• EQ: How did Progressives influence American society and what is the continued impact of that influence?

Progressive Morality and Regulating Entertainment

• Concerns Over New Entertainment:

  • Emergence of movies and Nickelodeon, vaudeville shows, jazz, and ragtime music raised concerns among conservative segments of society.

  • Influential figures included:

    • "It Girl": Theda Bara

    • Charlie Chaplin: Mega-star of silent films.

• Regulatory Measures:

  • Regulation aimed at controlling perceived moral hazards in attractions like amusement parks and dark movie theaters.

  • Development of film censorship boards to ensure content aligned with moral standards.

  • Supreme Court challenges to censorship ruled against 1st Amendment rights in 1915.

Progressive Morality and Prostitution

• Urban Challenges:

  • Prostitution viewed as a significant urban issue; many women pursued it for better pay.

  • Moral reformers sought to eliminate prostitution, following the approach of study and solution presentation.

  • John D. Rockefeller financed the establishment of the American Social Hygiene Association (1914) to address the issue.

• Legislative Actions:

  • Mann Act (1910): Made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes, responding to the white slave hysteria.

  • Reform efforts resulted in the eradication of prostitution in most major cities in the U.S.

Prohibition: Background and Development

• Roots of the Temperance Movement:

  • Founded in the 1830s due to rising alcoholism in the U.S.

  • Primarily driven by Protestant ministers and women.

  • Aim to combat perceived moral decay associated with alcohol.

• Early Organizations:

  • Washington Temperance Societies (1837): Formed by former alcoholics promoting sobriety through religious and communal support.

  • Martha Washington Societies: Women acted as gatekeepers for their husbands' sobriety, ensuring family commitment to temperance.

• Shift to Prohibition:

  • Transition from personal temperance efforts to codified prohibition at local and state levels.

  • Consumption rates of liquor fell by 50% during the active years of the movement.

  • The impact of the Civil War disrupted early prohibition efforts.

Controlling Morality: Prohibition Movement

• Changing Tactics in the Progressive Era:

  • Anti-Saloon League (1895) focused on legislative measures rather than individual abstinence.

  • Urban alcoholism was recognized as a contributor to domestic abuse, health issues, and workplace injuries.

  • Key participant demographics included women, Protestants, and professionals.

• Key Organizations:

  • Women’s Christian Temperance Union (1873): Founded by Frances Willard, promoted anti-alcohol education in schools.

  • Carry Nation: Advocated for the destruction of saloons and became an iconic figure of the movement.

Prohibition Legislation

• Anti-Saloon League:

  • One of the most effective national prohibition advocates started by Frances Willard and Wayne Wheeler.

  • The organization capitalized on anti-immigrant sentiment to further its agenda.

• 18th Amendment (1919) and Volstead Act:

  • Legally prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.

  • Volstead Act established enforcement measures but included numerous loopholes that made enforcement challenging:

    • Doctors prescribed whiskey for medical use.

    • Religious exemptions for sacramental wine.

    • Home production of limited quantities of wine.

Consequences of Prohibition

• Rise of Crime:

  • Prohibition fostered organized crime, including bootlegging and illicit distilling.

  • Violence increased as crime syndicates fought for control of territory.

  • Health risks: Use of denatured alcohol resulted in significant fatalities.

• Cultural Shift:

  • Emergence of speakeasies and illicit drinking establishments, epitomized by Franklin County, VA, known for moonshine operations.

  • Speakeasies became common despite being illegal, often protected by local authorities.

Ending Prohibition

• 21st Amendment (1933):

  • Repealed the 18th Amendment amid widespread disregard for prohibition laws, signaling a governmental recognition of its impracticality.

  • Key reasons for repeal included lost revenue, ineffective enforcement, and high-profile violations among officials.

Impact of Prohibition

• Long-term Changes in Alcohol Consumption:

  • Although legislation failed to eliminate alcohol use, overall consumption decreased significantly and remains lower than past generations.

  • Prohibition-era laws still exist in some form across the U.S., reflecting ongoing regulation of alcohol.

Curbing Morality: Drug Abuse

• Drug Challenges:

  • During the Progressive Era, drug abuse issues, particularly regarding heroin, morphine, and cocaine, became prominent.

  • Narcotics Act of 1914 (Harrison Act): Established strict regulations for distribution, allowing licensed professionals to dispense these substances, reflecting ongoing concerns about addiction.