Progressive Era in the US and Texas

Overview

This lecture covers the Progressive Era in the US (1901–1920), focusing on social, political, and economic reforms, and their specific impacts in Texas.

The Progressive Era: National Overview

• Progressivism was promoted by middle-class reformers in both parties, aiming for social and economic reform via government action.
• Key goals included eliminating child labor, regulating factories, promoting competition, and securing women's right to vote.
• Prior to 1900, churches, charities, and voluntary organizations mainly handled social issues.
• Industrialization and urbanization led to unsafe working and living conditions due to lack of regulation.
• Influential investigative journalists, called "muckrakers," exposed societal problems.
• Progressives focused on reforming capitalism, not overthrowing it.
• Central tenet: government—especially federal—should take a more active role in reform.
• President Theodore Roosevelt led early federal Progressive reforms: trust-busting, consumer protection, and conservation.

Major Progressive Reforms

• Woman's suffrage movement resulted in the 19th Amendment (1920), granting women the right to vote.
• Prohibition movement, led by middle-class women, culminated in the Volstead Act and later constitutional amendments banning alcohol.
• Other reforms aimed at eliminating child labor, improving factory safety, and making democracy more direct.
• Political changes included direct election of US Senators (17th Amendment), primaries, initiative, referendum, and recall.

Progressive Era in Texas

• Texas passed anti-trust laws and regulated railroads and insurance before federal action.
• The 1900 Galveston hurricane led to a new commission form of municipal government, focusing on expert management.
• The city manager system was introduced in Amarillo in 1912.
• Texas adopted party primaries and runoff elections to improve candidate selection, crucial in the one-party Democratic system.
• Women in Texas formed organizations for suffrage and prohibition, but Black and Mexican-American women had to create separate groups.
• The Texas economy remained focused on cotton, cattle, and later, oil after the Spindletop discovery in 1901.
• Rapid urban growth occurred, especially in Houston due to port expansion.
• Mexican immigration increased due to the Mexican Revolution; Mexican-Americans formed their own communities and organizations.
• Racial segregation and Black disenfranchisement intensified as cities grew.

Notable Texas Progressives and Politics

• Governor Thomas Campbell expanded progressive reforms, especially in education and prison conditions.
• Progressive and conservative Democrats alike supported white supremacy.
• "Dries" supported prohibition; "wets" opposed it.
• Senator Joseph Bailey led opposition to progressivism ("Baileyism").
• Jim Ferguson, elected governor in 1914, appealed to poor farmers, opposed prohibition, and was later impeached for corruption.

World War I and Texas

• Most Texans supported US involvement after the Zimmerman Telegram proposed a German–Mexican alliance to invade the US.
• Texans enlisted in large numbers; military bases and spending in Texas increased.
• Anti-German sentiment led to symbolic acts like renaming towns and discontinuing German language education.
• Prohibition gained popularity partly due to its association with German breweries.

Women’s Suffrage and Politics in Texas

• Annie Webb Blanton became the first woman elected statewide in 1918.
• Texas ratified the 19th Amendment early, granting women the vote.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Progressivism — movement for reform via government to address social and economic injustices.
• Muckrakers — investigative journalists exposing societal problems.
• Prohibition — banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol.
• Woman’s Suffrage — movement to secure women’s right to vote.
• Direct Election of Senators — 17th Amendment allowed citizens to vote for US Senators.
• Commission Government — city government led by experts/commissioners for each major function.
• City Manager System — professional manager runs city’s administrative operations.
• Baileyism — conservative opposition to progressive reforms, named after Senator Joseph Bailey.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Watch the recommended video on the Galveston hurricane and its aftermath (as mentioned in the lecture).
• Review the main Progressive Era amendments (17th, 18th, 19th) to the US Constitution.
• Prepare for the next lecture on the 1920s "Prosperity Decade."