PROGRESSIVE ERA

The Progressive Era was a time period between the 1890's to the 1920's which saw widespread social activism and political reforms across the United States. Progressive movements aimed at eliminating problems

caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political/economic corruption in government from the Gilded Age; as well as

advancing women and minority rights. 

Recall Warm-UpRead the paragraph and analyze the images above to jog your memory. Describe the major economic, social, and political issues from this era.

Economic Social Political

PROGRESSIVE ERANeed to Know Terms/People1.) Muckrakers- Journalists who attacked business and government leaders as corrupt in order to raise awareness of the many issues left over from the Gilded Age.2.) Women’s Suffrage- The right to vote for women, given by the 19 th Amendment in 1920.3.) Prohibition/Temperance- The movement to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol, which went into effect with the 18 th amendment in 1920.4.) Upton Sinclair- Wrote 1906 novel The Jungle which exposed health violations and insanitary practices in Chicago meatpacking industry= Pure Food and Drug Act to be passed by the federal government 5.) W.E.B. Du Bois- African American early civil rights leader who founded the NAACP in 1909 6.) Ida B. Wells- African American woman and early civil rights leader who helped found NAACP, supported women’s suffrage, and wrote about lynching the South7.) Susan B. Anthony- Huge supporter for women’s suffrage and rights8.) Settlement Houses- Reformist social movement with the goal of getting the rich and poor to live more closely together in an interdependent community. (Jane Addams)9.) Anti- Trust Laws (Trust Busting)- Competition law that seeks to maintain market competition by regulating anti-competitive conduct by companies (Theodore Roosevelt) (labor strikes/unions helped support this)10.) Federal Reserve Act- Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, this allows the U.S. government to issue federal notes (U.S. dollars) as legal tender in order to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. (central banking system for US)11.) Initiative, Recall, Referendum- Expanded citizens’ direct participation in the democratic process12.) 16th Amendment- Congress can collect a federal income tax from the people.

Problem Before Reform The Reform(s) and ReformersSpoils System/Patronage, Political Machines, Election Fraud, and Party BossesPolitical leaders often took advantage of immigrants and voters. Traded favors and bribes for votes. The election process was sometimes corrupt and politicians were not always responsive to voters. Victorious candidates used the spoils system to give government positions to friends and supporters; however, many of these “friends” lacked qualifications to do a good job.

Voters Don’t Select CandidatesCandidates running for office were often chosen by a small group of party leaders. Voters did not have a way to help choose candidates for public office. There was an indirect election of senators to Congress

Suffrage Restricted to MalesOnly male citizens 21 or older could vote.

Child LaborChild workers were on the job 12 to 14 hours a day, six or seven days a week. Low wages and dangerous working conditions were issues for all workers but hit children harder.

MonopoliesMany big businesses became monopolies or trusts. One company, or several companies working together, gained control of an industry and then could charge high prices because there was no competition.

Environmental DestructionWilderness areas were being ruined or disappearing and often government land and mineral resources were sold cheaply or even given away.

Racial Discrimination Southern Jim Crow laws passed after Reconstruction in 1877 made it very difficult for African Americans to achieve equal status in society.

Unsanitary Food HandlingRats and dirty conditions were common in factories, even those that handled food!

13.) 17th Amendment- Establishes the popular election of United States Senators by the people of the states14.) Civil Service Reform- Government jobs given based on merit NOT spoils system/patronage (Pendleton Act)

PROGRESSIVE ERA: STAAR Questions

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