Chapter 9 THE AGE OF REFORM

1
Chapter 9 THE AGE OF REFORM

• Section 1 The Progressive Movement
• Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order
• Section 3 Reforming Society

2
Objectives
Section 1 The Progressive Movement

• What were the backgrounds of social reform
  leaders?
• What issues concerned progressives?
• What issues did muckrakers address?
• How did progressive writers and thinkers view
  American society?

3
Backgrounds of social reform leaders
Section 1 The Progressive Movement

• native born
• middle or upper class
• usually urban
• college educated

4
Progressive issues
Section 1 The Progressive Movement

• reform of industrial practices
• end to child labor
• reform of electoral system
• social justice

5
Muckrakers issues
Section 1 The Progressive Movement

• business corruption
• corruption in urban politics
• social problems such as slums and child labor
• racism

6
Progressive views
Section 1 The Progressive Movement

• Industrial society exploited the weak.
• Government should use its powers to promote
  social welfare.
• Private citizens bear a social responsibility.

7
Objectives
Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order

• What workplace problems did progressives target?
• What were the results of the Triangle Shirtwaist
  Fire?
• What rulings did the Supreme Court make on labor
  laws?
• What were the successes and failures of unions in
  the early 1900s?

8
Workplace problems
Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order

• child labor
• low wages for women
• long working hours
• dangerous working conditions
• no minimum wage

9
Results of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order

• public outrage
• passage of strict fire-safety code by New York
  legislature

10
Supreme Court rulings on labor laws
Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order

• In Lochner v. New York, the Court overturned a
  law limiting work to ten hours a day, stating
  that workers should be free to accept any working
  conditions.
• In Muller v. Oregon, the Court upheld a law
  limiting women to a ten-hour workday, claiming
  that womens physical structure justified special
  legislation.
• In general, the Court sided with business owners
  and overturned much early social legislation.

11
Successes and failures of unions
Section 2 Reforming the New Industrial Order

• increased membership
• got wage increases and shorter hours in some
  companies
• got aid from progressive organizations
• accepted women and minorities (IWW)
• excluded unskilled workers and sometimes promoted
  racism (AFL)
• did not get closed-shop status (ILGWU)
• failed to end capitalism and faded from power
  (IWW)

12
Objectives
Section 3 Reforming Society

• How did reformers try to improved life in U.S.
  cities?
• How did reformers hope to improve moral
  standards?
• How did African Americans and American Indians
  organize to improve their lives?
• Why were immigrants left out of some progressive
  reforms, and how did they contribute to other
  reforms?

13
Reformers attempts to improve urban life
Section 3 Reforming Society

• tried rid cities of garbage
• wanted to provide better housing
• desired better public education
• wanted improved public health
• worked to build playgrounds
• wanted to provide city planning and redesign

14
Moral improvements desired by reformers
Section 3 Reforming Society

• crusaded against alcohol
• demanded censorship

15
American Indians
Section 3 Reforming Society

• formed the Society of American Indians to address
  problems and publicize accomplishments.

16
African Americans
Section 3 Reforming Society

• formed the NAACP to work through the courts for
  civil rights
• formed the Urban League to fight for racial
  equality

17
Immigrants and reform
Section 3 Reforming Society

• often left out because of racism and lack of
  respect for immigrants cultures
• worked through political machines to establish
  worker-protection and public-health programs
• used political machines to obtain playgrounds,
  public baths, and parks