Progressivism was a period from 1895-WWI aimed at improving living and working conditions. Progressives wanted to tackle issues like labor conditions, immigration, racism, sanitation, and powerful corporations. Journalists called "muckrakers" exposed these issues, like Jacob Riis documenting NYC slums and Ida Tarbell criticizing Standard Oil. Labor issues included dangerous conditions and lack of control. Immigration brought concerns over Americanization and limitation. Racism led to segregated schools and Jim Crow laws. The Niagara Movement organized the NAACP to fight for voting rights and equality. Sanitation issues involved city sewage and meat packing. Prohibition aimed to reduce alcohol's social costs like injuries and lost productivity.
2. What is progressivism? Concern for the state of society Lasted from 1895?- World War I Major areas of concern Economic- Large Corporations Social- Immigration and Labor Political- efficiency and democracy
3. Specific issues progressives wanted to tackle Labor (safety, hours, pay) Immigration (Americanization and limitation) Racism (Blacks, Asians, and Mexicans) Sanitation (city and food industry) White slavery (peonage and prostitution) Alcohol Large dominating corporations
4. The Muckrakers Journalists who wanted the truth exposed Jacob Riis Poverty in NYC Exposed the slums in photographs Ida Tarbell Criticized Standard Oil Company Lincoln Steffens Brought to light the corruption of city governments
6. Labor Management’s focus was speed and efficiency Repetitive tasks Dangerous Sliced fingers Workers lost control of machines Often locked in
7. Immigration Americanization Henry Ford’s melting pot “I am a good American” Graduation ceremony Old dress American made clothes Limitation on Immigration set 2% rule 150,000 a year
8. Inequality and Racism Southern states mandate segregated schools in 1876 SC spent $14 on a white student and $1 on a black student 80% of African Americans still live in rural areas Jim crow laws LA Grandfather clause
9. Niagara Movement and the NAACP Met on Canadian side Pledged action Voting Equal access Integration Equality before the law Conference organized the NAACP
10. Sanitation City sewage Meat packing industry Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”
11. Prohibit alcohol Men spend more time at tavern than at home Waste of money Show up late to work Causing injuries at work Lowering productivity
13. The Large Corporation Ida Tarbell brings it to the common person Rural areas receive mail, now know what is going on Rockefeller- 80% of oil J. P. Morgan Busting up the trust
15. The Progressive Era Who were the muckrakers and what did they want to accomplish? What was the Niagara Movement? Was it successful? Why was their a push to prohibit alcohol?
