Origins of Progressivism Notes

1
Origins of Progressivism Notes

• Angela Brown
• Chapter 8 Section 1

2
New Reform Ideas

• Two leading reformers
• 1879 Henry George Progress and Poverty stated
  speculation prevented productive use of land.
• Single-tax clubs single tax on the value of
  land to discourage speculation
• (Had a tax on improvements already)

http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
henrygeorge.org/images/ bob1.jpgimgrefurlhttp//
www.henrygeorge.org/chp1.htmh219w287sz 19hl
enstart1tbnid9l_6TawX3cjcMtbnh88tbnw115
prev/images 3Fq3DHenry2BGeorge2BProgress2Ban
d2BPoverty26svnum3 D1026hl3Den26lr3D26rls
3DGGLD,GGLD2005-11,GGLDen
3
http//www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images2/bellamy_e1.j
pg

• 1888 Edward Bellamy
• Looking Backward
• A man undergoes hypnosis wakes up in year 2000.
• The government had taken over largest companies.
• The goal was meeting human needs not making
  profit.

4
Socialists

• socialism an economic and political philosophy
  favoring public or government control of property
  and income
• Many American socialists wanted to end
  capitalism, distribute wealth and nationalize
  industry
• 1901 Socialist Party of America
• 1912 1000 municipal or city government, offices

5
The Labor Movement

• If unions were successful despite discouragement,
  employers could count on courts to issue
  injunctions or court orders, prohibiting workers
  from going on strike

http//www.npr.org/news/specials/democracy/money/b
osses.html
6
Municipal Reform

• Civil service system based on merit instead of
  favors would keep appointees out of important
  jobs enforcing labor laws.
• Worked for home-rule system by which cities
  exercise a limited degree of self-rule
• Allowed escape from domination of state
  government controlled by political machines.

7
II. Muckrakers

• TRs name for Journalists that alerted public to
  wrongdoing in politics and business.
• Based on character to busy raking filth on earth
  to lift eyes to heaven.
• TR approved of legitimate exposure of wrongdoing.
• Many respected writers Lincoln Steffens, Ida
  Tarbell, Upton Sinclair

8

• (Systematic Manner for Change)
• investigated issues scientific data/expert
  testimony
• publicized results
• readers pressured legislators (womens clubs and
  charitable groups key)

9
The Goals of the Progressives

• Many Americans were inspired to take action by
  joining reform organizations by Muckrakers.
• All groups working to bring about progress in
  society therefore period referred to as the
  Progressive Era.
• Most progressives did not support sweeping
  economic and political changes feared violence
  of revolution average wealth didnt want to
  lose high standard of living

10

• Free government of corruption so it could be more
  efficient in helping others.
• Sister Carrie (1900) novel by Theodore
  Dreisers heroine goes unpunished for sins
  too shocking did not sell well 1981 published
  in original form

11
An Expanded Role for Government

• Wanted government to develop more Social Welfare
  Programs ensure a basic standard of living for
  all Americans
• Expected government to rely on experts/scientists
  to plan efficient programs, which professionals,
  not politicians would manage
• Unemployment, accident, health insurance, social
  security for disabled and elderly

12
Women Work for Reforms

• Chicago Hull House worked with Jane Addams
  Florence Kelley 1893 law prohibiting child
  labor limiting working hours for women,
  regulating sweatshop conditions
• Governor put Kelley in charge of enforcing.
• Earned a law degree in order to take legal action
  herself.
• 1897 replaced by new government spoils system
  became involved in Municipal reform

http//chswg.binghamton.edu/kelley.jpg
13

• Ask why animals are worthy of government
  protection but not the children of our race and
  their mothers.
• Her legacy lasted long after her death in 1932.
• Issues workplace, temperance, right to vote

14
Resistance to Progressive Reforms

• Progressives thought government should have say
  in housing, health care, content of movies.
• Child labor laws employers and families who
  needed the income objected
• Progressives were perceived as being insensitive
  to poor the ones they sought to help

15
Exit Slip

• Who were the Progressives?
• What did Progressives want?
• Name 3 changes to society that Progressives
  sought.