Understanding the Progressive Era Reforms

Mar 7, 2025

Heimler's History: The Progressive Era

Introduction

  • Focus: Compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.
  • Progressive Era: Diverse groups united under government intervention to correct societal issues.

Who Were the Progressives?

  • Diverse group: Protestant leaders, feminists, labor unions, African Americans.
  • Main goals:
    • Address power of big business.
    • Economic uncertainties, Panic of 1893.
    • Labor conflicts, political machines, Jim Crow laws.
    • Women's suffrage, prohibition.
  • Central belief: Government intervention is essential for societal change.

Progressive Era Journalists (Muckrakers)

  • Exposed societal corruption through investigative journalism.
  • Notable figures and works:
    • Upton Sinclair: "The Jungle" - unsanitary meatpacking industry.
    • Ida Tarbell: ExposĂ© on Standard Oil.
    • Jacob Riis: "How the Other Half Lives" - living conditions in NY tenements.
  • Goal: Influence public to pressure for change.

Expansion of Democracy

  • Targeted political corruption and aimed to return power to the people.
  • Key reforms:
    • Secret Ballot: Voting in private to reduce political machine influence.
    • Direct Election of Senators: 17th Amendment, 1913.
  • Other amendments:
    • 18th Amendment: Prohibition of alcohol.
    • 19th Amendment: Women's suffrage.
  • Legislative reforms:
    • Initiative, referendum, recall - tools for direct voter influence on legislation.

Government Efficiency

  • Frederick Taylor: Scientific management to improve efficiency.
  • Idea: Apply efficiency models to government.

Racial Justice Efforts

  • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Legalized segregation, "separate but equal."
  • Key organizations:
    • Niagara Movement, led by W.E.B. DuBois.
    • NAACP: Aimed to abolish segregation, expand education.

Progressivism on the National Stage

  • Teddy Roosevelt: Prominent Progressive president.
    • Square Deal: Fair treatment for business and labor.
    • Trust Busting: Distinction between good and bad monopolies.
    • Consumer Protection: Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act.
    • Conservation: Reserved 150 million acres of land.

Conclusion

  • Progressive Era marked by significant reforms aimed to address corruption, expand democracy, and improve efficiency.
  • Roosevelt's leadership highlighted national efforts in reform.

Additional Resources

  • Continue to explore more on Unit 7 through linked playlists and resources.

Heimler out.

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