7-1: ORIGINS OF THEPROGRESSIVE ERA, 1900-1920

Overview

▪ Progressivism a response to

Political corruption

Economic instability

Social concerns

▪ Call for greater government action

Origins of Progressivism

▪ Attitudes and Motives

Response to Gilded Age excesses

Income disparities

Lavish lifestyles

Practices of “robber barons”

Rejection of Social Darwinism

Government as a vehicle to solve social problems

Origins of Progressivism

▪ Goals

Increase democracy

Reform local governments

Regulate big business

Origins ofProgressivism

▪ Muckrakers

Investigative reporters

Exposed corruption

Exposed urban problems

Promoted reform

Leading Muckrakers

Upton Sinclair—meatpacking

Ida Tarbell—trusts

Jacob Riis—poverty

Ida Wells—lynchings

Political Reforms

▪ Voter Participation

Australian (Secret) Ballot

Primaries

Direct Election of Senators (17th

Amendment)

Initiatives, Referendums, Recalls

Political Reforms

▪ Municipal Reform Commissions and city managers

Weakens power of political machines

▪ State Reform Temperance and Prohibition

(18th Amendment/Volstead Act)

Social Welfare Dorothea Dix—treatment of

mentally ill

Mann Act—prostitution illegal

Child and Women Labor Working hours limited