the progressive era– what was it? period of wide-spread reform (1890-1920) economic, political,...
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The Progressive Era– The Progressive Era– What Was It?What Was It?
Period of wide-spread reform (1890-1920) economic, political, social & moral reforms reaction against laissez-faire government
“Progressives” saw an opportunity to fix societal problems Progressives aim to end the “excesses” of the
“Gilded Age” (a time of great income disparity caused my industrialization)
Remember the excerpts from this book?
These were some of the conditions Progressives were
trying to reform
Political ReformPolitical Reform
Politicians debated: more or less democracy? Debate over efficiency of government
Progressive politicians did not believe in “hands-off” government Government needed to help fix all the problems
Before reforms, “political machines” were led by “bosses” (political party leaders)
The “bosses” had great power in the big cities Often these bosses were corrupt Corrupt leadership of cities became a significant problem
Political Reform = 1. Establishing “Direct Primaries”
Allowed voters to choose political candidates (as opposed to the “bosses”)
2. 17th Amendment (1913) Direct election of US Senators (governors used
to elect Senators and the Progressive wanted to give the American people the power to do this)
3. 19th Amendment (1920) Allowed women to vote
Political ReformPolitical Reform
What is this cartoon saying? (The cat is suppose to be the Democratic Party in Cleveland and the shirt represents the effects of
reform)
Social ReformSocial ReformFocused on crime, illiteracy, alcohol abuse,
child labor & health and safety
Child Labor Kids often worked long hours for little pay
“Breaker boys”: Worked in coal mines for 60 cents/hr; 10 hr days
Labor laws & compulsory education laws reduced number of kids working
Safety Codes Required safe working conditions & workers
compensation (if an worker was injured)
“Breaker boys”
Children worked long hours in dirty, un-safe factories like the one pictured here
Social reform also focused on more individual issues like alcohol use
Temperance Movement & Anti-Saloon League were opposed to alcohol consumption
Led to 18th Amendment (also known as “The Volstead Act” or “Probation”)
“Prohibition” outlawed the sale, manufacturing, and transport of alcohol within the United States between 1920 and 1933
Social Reform at HomeSocial Reform at Home
The Temperance League was in favor of Prohibition. Here is one of their posters from the time period—what is it saying?
Detroit police inspecting equipment found in a clandestine (secret) underground brewery during the Prohibition era
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