The Progressive Era1890-1920

Definition of Progressive Era

Time period (1890-1920) when efforts were made to reform or eliminate many social problems.

◦ Economic Reform Regulate business, improve working conditions, consumer protection

◦ Social Reform education, women’s suffrage

◦ Political Reform government accountable to the people

◦ Environmental Reform Protect the environment from industry

Economic Reform (Regulate trade)

Sherman Anti-Trust ActBreak up monopolies-monopolies were unfair and not in the best interest of the American people

- Theodore Roosevelt was known as the “trust buster”

What does this political cartoon say about monopolies and the men who controlled them?

Economic Reform (Consumer protection)

Pure Food and Drug Act

Meat Inspection Act

“The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair◦Exposed the appalling

working conditions in meat packing facilities

◦Led to federal food safety laws

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

As you listen to this segment from The Jungle, think about the following questions:

What is in the sausage?

How is the workplace unsanitary?

Would people eat this sausage if they knew how it was made?

Economic Reform (Improve working conditions)

Workplace and Labor reforms:◦8 hour workday◦Improve safety

conditions◦Minimum wage◦Unionization◦Child labor laws

Tragedy leads to safer working conditions

Triangular Shirtwaist Factory Fire

March 25, 1911

145 workers burned to death

Deaths were preventable:◦Locked doors◦Neglected safety

features

Social Reform

Goal-Protection and expansion of individual rights.

Women’s Suffrage

Women’s Suffrage

Seneca Falls Convention (1848)◦1st national meeting

for women’s rights Susan B. Anthony Elizabeth Cady

Stanton

19th Amendment:-women can vote (1920)

Political Reform

End corruption◦Politicians taking

bribes Boss Tweed in NYC

People elect their senators (not the state legislatures)◦17th amendment

Boss Tweed

Environmental Reform

President Theodore Roosevelt is known as the “conservationist President”

Established the Forest Service in 1906

5 National Parks

Protected 230 million acres of public land