Lecture Notes on the Progressive Era

Summary

This lecture covers the Progressive Era with a focus on the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement. The lecture delves into who the Progressives were, their diverse backgrounds and causes, and their shared belief in the necessity of significant government intervention to address societal issues. Key topics include the roles of muckrakers, expansion of democracy, scientific management, and the civil rights efforts of black Progressives. The lecture concludes with a look at Progressive presidents, especially Teddy Roosevelt's policies and reforms.

Major Themes and Key Points

1. Characteristics of Progressives

• Progressives were diverse in terms of background and issues they targeted.
• Common concerns included: big business power, uncertain economy post-1893 Panic, labor conflict, political corruption, Jim Crow laws, women's suffrage, and alcohol issues.
• Foundational belief: societal deterioration needed significant government intervention.

2. Muckrakers and their Impact

• Progressive Era journalists known as muckrakers exposed societal and corporate corruption.
  • Upton Sinclair: Revealed unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry in his book The Jungle.
  • Ida Tarbell: Critically exposed the operations of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil.
  • Jacob Riis: Documented the poor living conditions of New York’s working class in How the Other Half Lives.
• Their goal was to inform the public and pressure reforms through public outcry.

3. Expansion of Democracy

• Secret Ballot: Introduced to protect voters from the coercive practices of political bosses.
• Direct Election of Senators: Pushed by Progressives, culminating in the 17th Amendment (1913) allowing for direct election by the people.
  • Before amendment, senators were often appointed in favor of business interests.
• Additional Voting Reforms
  • Initiative: Allowed voters to compel legislators to consider neglected bills.
  • Referendum: Enabled direct voter decisions on proposed laws.
  • Recall: Provided mechanisms to remove corrupt officials from office.
• Constitution Amendments for societal reforms:
  • 18th Amendment: Established Prohibition.
  • 19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote.

4. Scientific Management

• Introduced by Frederick Taylor; focused on increasing industrial efficiency through timing tasks and optimizing workflows.
• Some Progressives envisioned applying similar principles to government operations to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

5. Civil Rights Efforts by Black Progressives

• Response to Plessy v. Ferguson which legalized racial segregation under "separate but equal" doctrine.
• Niagara Movement: Led by W.E.B. Du Bois focused on civil rights protests and plans.
• NAACP: Aimed to end segregation and expand educational opportunities for African Americans, although mainstream Progressive movements often overlooked black issues.

6. Progressive Presidents and National Impact

• The era saw several Progressivist presidents; Teddy Roosevelt is highlighted:
  • Square Deal: Roosevelt’s policy aimed at fair treatment for all sides in labor and business matters.
    • Example: Intervention in the anthracite coal strike.
  • Trust Busting: Enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act differentiating between 'good' and 'bad' monopolies.
  • Consumer Protection: Led to the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act post-publication of The Jungle.
  • Conservation Efforts: Utilized the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 to protect 150 million acres of land from industrial exploitation.

This lecture gives a comprehensive overview of the Progressive Era, highlighting the varied but unified efforts for reformation and the key figures that influenced policy and societal norms during this period.