🗽US History – 1865 to Present Unit 4 – Progressive Era: Reform & Change (1890-1920)

Key Events and Timeline

• The Progressive Era spanned from the 1890s to the 1920s, a period marked by significant social, political, and economic reforms in the United States
• The Panic of 1893 led to a severe economic depression, highlighting the need for economic and social reforms
• In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated, and Theodore Roosevelt became president, ushering in a new era of progressive leadership
• The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and the Meat Inspection Act (1906) were passed to protect consumers and improve public health
• The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911) exposed the dangerous working conditions in factories and led to increased support for labor reforms
• World War I (1914-1918) temporarily halted the Progressive Era, as the nation's focus shifted to the war effort
• The ratification of the 19th Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote, a major victory for the women's suffrage movement

Major Social Issues

• Rapid industrialization led to poor working conditions, low wages, and child labor, prompting calls for labor reforms
• Growing economic inequality between the wealthy industrialists and the working class fueled social unrest and demands for change
• Urban poverty and overcrowding in cities due to rapid urbanization and immigration created public health concerns and social welfare issues
• Political corruption and the influence of big business in politics eroded public trust in government and sparked demands for political reforms
• Racial discrimination and segregation, particularly against African Americans, persisted despite the abolition of slavery, leading to calls for racial equality and civil rights
• Women's suffrage and gender inequality remained significant issues, with women advocating for the right to vote and equal treatment under the law
• Temperance and the prohibition of alcohol gained momentum as a social reform movement, driven by concerns over the negative effects of alcohol on society

Progressive Reformers and Movements

• Muckrakers, such as Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell, exposed corruption, social injustices, and unfair business practices through their investigative journalism
  • Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle" (1906) exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act
• The Settlement House Movement, led by reformers like Jane Addams, established community centers in urban areas to provide social services and education to the poor
  • Jane Addams founded Hull House in Chicago (1889), which became a model for other settlement houses across the country
• The Women's Suffrage Movement, led by activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, fought for women's right to vote
  • The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was formed in 1890 to coordinate the suffrage movement on a national level
• The Temperance Movement, spearheaded by organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), advocated for the prohibition of alcohol to address social problems
• The Conservation Movement, championed by President Theodore Roosevelt, aimed to protect the nation's natural resources and establish national parks
• The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), founded in 1909, fought against racial discrimination and promoted civil rights for African Americans

Political Changes and Legislation

• The 16th Amendment (1913) established a federal income tax, enabling the government to generate revenue for social welfare programs and other reforms
• The 17th Amendment (1913) provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, reducing the influence of state legislatures and political machines
• The 18th Amendment (1919) prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, leading to the era of Prohibition
• The 19th Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote, a major milestone in the women's suffrage movement
• The Pendleton Act (1883) established the Civil Service Commission, which aimed to reduce political patronage and ensure a merit-based system for government jobs
• The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) prohibited monopolies and anti-competitive business practices, aiming to promote fair competition and protect consumers
• The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and the Meat Inspection Act (1906) were passed to ensure the safety and quality of food and drugs, protecting public health

Economic Developments

• The rise of big business and monopolies, such as Standard Oil and U.S. Steel, led to concerns over corporate power and anti-competitive practices
• The growth of labor unions, such as the American Federation of Labor (AFL), sought to improve working conditions, wages, and hours for workers
  • The AFL, led by Samuel Gompers, focused on skilled workers and used collective bargaining to negotiate with employers
• The Progressive Era saw the emergence of new industries, such as the automobile industry, which transformed transportation and the American economy
  • Henry Ford's introduction of the Model T (1908) and the assembly line revolutionized mass production and made automobiles more affordable
• The Federal Reserve Act (1913) established the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States, to provide a more stable and flexible financial system
• The introduction of scientific management, or Taylorism, aimed to increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace through the application of scientific principles
• The rise of consumer culture and advertising changed the way goods were marketed and sold, as businesses sought to create demand for their products
• The Progressive Era witnessed the growth of the middle class, as education and white-collar jobs became more accessible, leading to changes in social structure and consumer habits

Cultural Shifts and Innovations

• The Progressive Era saw a surge in immigration, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe, leading to increased cultural diversity in the United States
  • The melting pot concept emerged, promoting the idea of assimilation and the creation of a unified American culture
• The rise of mass media, including newspapers, magazines, and radio, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and spreading progressive ideas
  • Muckraking journalists used the power of the press to expose social and political issues and advocate for reforms
• The Progressive Era witnessed a growing interest in education and the expansion of public schools, as reformers sought to provide equal access to education for all children
  • John Dewey's progressive education philosophy emphasized hands-on learning, critical thinking, and the development of social skills
• The City Beautiful Movement, led by architects and urban planners, aimed to improve the aesthetics and functionality of cities through the creation of parks, boulevards, and public spaces
• The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement centered in New York City's Harlem neighborhood, celebrated African American art, literature, and music
  • Writers such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston emerged as prominent figures in the Harlem Renaissance
• The rise of popular entertainment, such as vaudeville shows and motion pictures, provided new forms of leisure and entertainment for the masses
  • The first nickelodeons, or movie theaters, opened in the early 1900s, making movies accessible to a wider audience

Impact on Different Demographics

• Women gained political influence through the suffrage movement and increased their participation in the workforce, education, and social reform efforts
  • The number of women in the workforce increased significantly during the Progressive Era, particularly in clerical and professional positions
• African Americans continued to face racial discrimination and segregation, despite the efforts of civil rights activists and organizations like the NAACP
  • The Great Migration saw millions of African Americans move from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West in search of better economic opportunities and less oppressive conditions
• Immigrants faced challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination as they sought to integrate into American society
  • Settlement houses and other organizations provided support and resources to help immigrants adapt to life in the United States
• The working class benefited from labor reforms, such as improved working conditions, higher wages, and reduced working hours, although progress was gradual and uneven
  • Child labor laws, such as the Keating-Owen Act (1916), sought to restrict the employment of children in certain industries
• The middle class experienced growth and increased access to education, consumer goods, and leisure activities, leading to changes in lifestyle and social mobility
  • The rise of department stores and mail-order catalogs catered to the growing consumer culture and the needs of the middle class
• Native Americans continued to face forced assimilation policies and the loss of tribal lands, despite some efforts to improve their living conditions and protect their rights
  • The Dawes Act (1887) aimed to break up tribal lands and encourage Native Americans to adopt European-American culture and farming practices

Legacy and Long-Term Effects

• The Progressive Era laid the foundation for modern American government, with an increased role in regulating business, protecting consumers, and providing social welfare
• The reforms and legislation passed during this period, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Federal Reserve Act, continue to shape American society and economy today
• The expansion of women's rights and increased participation in politics and the workforce set the stage for further advances in gender equality in the following decades
• The Progressive Era's focus on social justice and equality paved the way for future civil rights movements and efforts to address ongoing issues of racial and economic inequality
• The rise of organized labor and the establishment of labor laws and protections had a lasting impact on workers' rights and the role of unions in the American economy
• The conservation movement's emphasis on protecting natural resources and establishing national parks helped to preserve America's natural heritage for future generations
• The cultural and intellectual developments of the Progressive Era, such as the Harlem Renaissance and progressive education, had a lasting influence on American art, literature, and education
• The Progressive Era's legacy of reform and activism continues to inspire social and political movements seeking to address contemporary issues and promote social justice