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Understanding the Progressive Era Reforms

May 8, 2025

Heimler's History: The Progressive Era

Introduction

  • Focus on Unit 7 of AP U.S. History curriculum
  • Discussing the Progressive Era
  • Main task: Compare goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement

Who Were the Progressives?

  • Diverse group with varied interests:
    • Protestant church leaders
    • Feminists
    • Labor union leaders
    • African Americans
  • Common belief: Society needed government intervention
  • Key issues addressed:
    • Big business influence
    • Economic uncertainties post-Panic of 1893
    • Labor conflicts
    • Political machine control
    • Jim Crow laws and women's suffrage
    • Alcohol problems

Progressive Era Journalists (Muckrakers)

  • Muckrakers: Investigative journalists exposing corruption
    • Term coined by Teddy Roosevelt
  • Key figures:
    • Upton Sinclair: "The Jungle" - unsanitary meatpacking
    • Ida Tarbell: ExposĂ© on Standard Oil
    • Jacob Riis: "How the Other Half Lives" - poor living conditions

Expansion of Democracy

  • Combat political boss influence (e.g., Tammany Hall)
  • Introduced the secret ballot to curb political machine power
  • Direct election of senators (17th Amendment, 1913)
  • Legislative reforms:
    • Initiative: Voters can propose legislation
    • Referendum: Voters can vote on proposed laws
    • Recall: Remove corrupt politicians

Progressive Amendments

  • 18th Amendment: Prohibition of alcohol
  • 19th Amendment: Women's suffrage

Scientific Management

  • Frederick Taylor: Advocate for efficiency in government
  • "Scientific management" to improve productivity

Racial Justice and Black Progressives

  • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Legalized segregation
  • Key organizations:
    • Niagara Movement: Led by W.E.B. DuBois for black rights
    • NAACP: Aims to abolish segregation and improve education

Progressivism on the National Stage

  • Teddy Roosevelt: Progressive president
    • Square Deal: Fair treatment in business disputes
    • Trust-busting: Enforcing Sherman Antitrust Act
    • Consumer protection: Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act
    • Conservation: Reserved 150 million acres of land

Conclusion

  • Progressives tackled diverse issues with government intervention
  • Key changes in democracy, economics, and social justice
  • Roosevelt's presidency marked significant national Progressive reforms

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