PROGRESSIVISMPROGRESSIVISM“It is just plain wrong for

some people, by tricks and wiles, to get a stranglehold

on business and politics, while others are cheated out

of the opportunity.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

PROGRESSIVE IDEALS AND PROGRESSIVE IDEALS AND OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

How did progressives address How did progressives address the country’s social the country’s social problems? problems?

How did progressives change How did progressives change government? government?

FOUR GOALS OF FOUR GOALS OF PROGRESSIVISMPROGRESSIVISM

1.1. Protect social welfareProtect social welfare

2.2. Promote moral improvementPromote moral improvement

3.3. Creating economic reformCreating economic reform

4.4. Fostering efficiency Fostering efficiency

SOCIAL REFORMSSOCIAL REFORMS Social welfare reform Social welfare reform

movementmovement Moral reform movementMoral reform movement Economic reform movementEconomic reform movement Movement for industrial Movement for industrial

efficiencyefficiency Movement to protect workersMovement to protect workers

PROGRESSIVISM:PROGRESSIVISM:Fixing Social ProblemsFixing Social Problems

New laws (codes) New laws (codes) required buildings to:required buildings to:

•Be properly litBe properly lit

•Properly ventilatedProperly ventilated

•Have running waterHave running water

PROGRESSIVISM:PROGRESSIVISM:Fixing Social ProblemsFixing Social Problems

““Planning” city growth.Planning” city growth.

City PlannersCity Planners•Zoning lawsZoning laws•Safe building Safe building codescodes•Public parksPublic parks

Civil EngineersCivil Engineers•Planned street Planned street pavingpaving•Bridge buildingBridge building

Sanitation EngineersSanitation Engineers•Solved waste and Solved waste and water problemswater problems

PROGRESSIVISM:PROGRESSIVISM:Fixing Social ProblemsFixing Social Problems

John DeweyJohn Dewey Education ReformerEducation Reformer Stressed critical Stressed critical

thinking and problem thinking and problem solvingsolving

““True learning is based True learning is based on discovery guided by on discovery guided by mentoring rather than mentoring rather than the transmission of the transmission of knowledge”. knowledge”.

Reforming the WorkplaceReforming the WorkplaceObjectivesObjectives

How did progressives attempt How did progressives attempt to change labor laws? to change labor laws?

How did the Supreme Court How did the Supreme Court react to labor legislation?react to labor legislation?

How did labor organize to How did labor organize to improve working conditions? improve working conditions?

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: Child Labor LawsChild Labor Laws

In 1900 1.75 million In 1900 1.75 million children under 15 children under 15 worked in mines, mills, worked in mines, mills, and factories. and factories.

Florence Kelley led the Florence Kelley led the fight against child fight against child labor.labor.

Congress passes child Congress passes child labor laws.labor laws.

Supreme Court finds Supreme Court finds them unconstitutional. them unconstitutional. Says it’s a state issue. Says it’s a state issue.

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: Other Labor ReformOther Labor Reform

Eight-hour workdayEight-hour workday Higher wagesHigher wages Minimum wage lawsMinimum wage laws Maximum hour laws Maximum hour laws

for women and for women and childrenchildren

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 146 women died146 women died Doors were lockedDoors were locked Made people call for Made people call for

changechange

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: Labor OrganizationsLabor Organizations

Union membership in 1900: Union membership in 1900: 800,000 people.800,000 people.

Union membership in 1920: Union membership in 1920: 5 million people. 5 million people.

Industrial Workers of the Industrial Workers of the World World Wanted socialism – Wanted socialism –

government ownership of government ownership of means of production.means of production.

All workers in one large union.All workers in one large union. The union was too radical for The union was too radical for

most people.most people.

POLITICAL REFORMSPOLITICAL REFORMS

Movement to reform local Movement to reform local governmentgovernment

State reform of big businessState reform of big business

Movement for election reformMovement for election reform

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: Changing GovernmentChanging Government

Expanding DemocracyExpanding Democracy

Reducing the Influence Reducing the Influence of Political Machinesof Political Machines

•Secret ballotSecret ballot

•Direct primaryDirect primary

•1717thth Amendment Amendment

•RecallRecall

•InitiativeInitiative

•Referendum Referendum

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: Changing GovernmentChanging Government

“Fighting” Bob LaFolletteFighting” Bob LaFollette

•Wisconsin GovernorWisconsin Governor

•Challenged power of Challenged power of bossesbosses

•Wisconsin IdeaWisconsin Idea

•hired experts from hired experts from University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin to make write laws, help to make write laws, help government. government.

PROGRESSIVISM: PROGRESSIVISM: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

1414thth Amendment used to Amendment used to defend corporations defend corporations against labor laws.against labor laws.

Lochner v. New YorkLochner v. New York States could not restrict the States could not restrict the

rights of employers and rights of employers and workers to enter into workers to enter into contracts.contracts.

Muller v. OregonMuller v. Oregon Women’s hours could be Women’s hours could be

limited. Women’s health limited. Women’s health was a matter of public was a matter of public concern. concern.