Turn-of-the-Turn-of-the-Century Century Reform Reform

MovementsMovements

Social and Political Change in the United States

at the Turn-of-the Century

Life in 1903Life in 1903 Average life expectancy in the U.S. was Average life expectancy in the U.S. was

4747 Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub.Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub. Only 8% of the homes had a telephone.Only 8% of the homes had a telephone. Three minute call from Denver to NY Three minute call from Denver to NY

city cost eleven dollars.city cost eleven dollars. There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S.

and only 144 miles of paved road.and only 144 miles of paved road. Maximum speed limit in most cities was Maximum speed limit in most cities was

10mph.10mph.

Average U.S. worker made Average U.S. worker made between $300 and $500 per year.between $300 and $500 per year.

More than 95% of all births in the More than 95% of all births in the U.S. took place at home.U.S. took place at home.

Sugar cost .12 cents a pound. Sugar cost .12 cents a pound. Eggs were .14 cents a dozen. Eggs were .14 cents a dozen. Coffee cost .15 cents a pound.Coffee cost .15 cents a pound.

Most women washed their hair Most women washed their hair once a month and used borax or once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.egg yolks for shampoo.

There were 230 reported There were 230 reported murders in the entire U.S. murders in the entire U.S.

Canada passed a law prohibiting Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the poor people from entering the country for any reason.country for any reason.

American flag had 45 stars.American flag had 45 stars. Canned beer and iced tea hadn’t Canned beer and iced tea hadn’t

been invented.been invented. No Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.No Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

One in ten U.S. adults couldn’t One in ten U.S. adults couldn’t read or write. read or write.

Only 6% of all Americans had Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school.graduated from high school.

Progressive MovementProgressive Movement Progressives wanted to change Progressives wanted to change

society for the bettersociety for the better Women votingWomen voting Labor ReformLabor Reform African American RightsAfrican American Rights Stop drinkingStop drinking

Settlement House Settlement House MovementMovement

Well-educated young women and men hoped to relieve the effects of poverty by providing social services for people in the neighborhood.

Most famous of this experiment was Hull House in Chicago – opened by Jane Addams in 1889

Houses taught English to immigrants, pioneered early childhood education, taught industrial arts, and established neighborhood theaters and music.

By 1910 over 400 settlement houses. These houses provided foundation for

professional social worker. Also political activists who crusaded

for child-labor laws, housing reform and women’s rights.

Progressive Progressive IssuesIssues

Civil RightsCivil Rights Minorities were ignored for the most Minorities were ignored for the most

part.part. From 1900 to 1905 an African-American From 1900 to 1905 an African-American

was lynched almost every other day!was lynched almost every other day! Racial discrimination increased during Racial discrimination increased during

the early 20the early 20thth century. century. Two key problems faced by African-Two key problems faced by African-

Americans: Americans: Money issues and no rights in society Money issues and no rights in society

(second class citizens)(second class citizens)

Racial SegregationRacial Segregation Based on RaceBased on Race Directed primarily against African Directed primarily against African

Americans, but other groups were Americans, but other groups were kept segregatedkept segregated

Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws Made discrimination legalMade discrimination legal Unequal opportunities in housing, Unequal opportunities in housing,

work, education, and governmentwork, education, and government

Two Leaders Two Leaders EmergeEmerge Booker T. Booker T.

WashingtonWashington – – Believed equality Believed equality could be could be achieved through achieved through vocational vocational education; education; accepted social accepted social separationseparation

www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/race/art/washington.jpgshows/race/art/washington.jpg

W.E.B Du BoisW.E.B Du Bois – believed in – believed in full political, full political, civil, and civil, and social rights social rights for African for African AmericansAmericans

www.americaslibrary.gov/.../ aa_dubois_subj_e.jpg

Women’s Women’s MovementMovement By late 19By late 19thth century the “new century the “new

woman” was emerging. More woman” was emerging. More time outside the home: 10% time outside the home: 10% never married and divorce never married and divorce rising.rising.

Older generation of Older generation of Susan B. Susan B. AnthonyAnthony and and Elizabeth StantonElizabeth Stanton were Suffragists.were Suffragists.

What did they want?What did they want? Increased educational opportunitiesIncreased educational opportunities The right to voteThe right to vote EqualityEquality

Labor (Work) ReformLabor (Work) Reform Wanted to change the following bad Wanted to change the following bad

things in the workplacethings in the workplace Child Labor (wanted to place Child Labor (wanted to place

restrictions)restrictions) Low wages and long hours (wanted to Low wages and long hours (wanted to

reduce work hours and increase pay)reduce work hours and increase pay) Unsafe working conditions (wanted to Unsafe working conditions (wanted to

improve the safety conditions)improve the safety conditions)

Anti Trust Anti Trust MovementMovement Sherman Anti Trust Act 1890Sherman Anti Trust Act 1890

The act declared illegal "every contract, The act declared illegal "every contract, combination in the form of trust or combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations." States, or with foreign nations."

Criminal penalties were provided for Criminal penalties were provided for violators of the law, and aggrieved persons violators of the law, and aggrieved persons were entitled to recover three times the were entitled to recover three times the amount of losses suffered as a result of amount of losses suffered as a result of the violation. the violation.

Temperance MovementTemperance Movement People wanted to ban the making People wanted to ban the making

and consuming (drinking) of alcohol.and consuming (drinking) of alcohol.

Supported the 18Supported the 18thth Amendment Amendment which prohibited (didn’t let) people which prohibited (didn’t let) people manufacture (make), sell, or manufacture (make), sell, or transport alcoholic beverages.transport alcoholic beverages.