The American Yawp Chapter 20: The Progressive Era

Summary

This transcript explores the rise of Progressivism in the early 20th-century United States, a movement that sought to solve the social, economic, and political problems created by rapid industrialization and urbanization. It highlights the roles of muckrakers, women reformers, settlement houses, and expanding professional fields, as well as major political reforms like initiatives, referendums, and the secret ballot. The narrative follows key figures such as Jane Addams, W.E.B. Du Bois, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson, showing how their efforts reshaped government power, promoted social justice, regulated big business, and ultimately transformed the federal government into a central force for national reform.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Progressive Era emerged in response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of America, with progressives aiming to impose order and justice on a society facing growing crises.
• 😀 Progressives believed in the potential for improvement through purposeful human and government intervention, contrasting with the laissez-faire attitudes of the past.
• 😀 Muckrakers, crusading journalists, were the first to adopt the progressive viewpoint, exposing corruption in trusts, railroads, and urban political machines, sparking widespread public outrage.
• 😀 The Social Gospel movement, influenced by religious traditions, transformed social justice into a moral commitment, motivating people to take action.
• 😀 Women played a crucial role in progressive reforms, forming women's clubs and advocating for the regulation of labor conditions, public health, and even the prohibition of alcohol.
• 😀 The fight for women's suffrage became one of the largest reform movements, with suffragists arguing that women’s maternal influence would improve politics and society.
• 😀 Progressives sought to challenge political party dominance, using measures like the secret ballot, initiatives, referendums, and recall to empower voters and improve governance.
• 😀 Robert M. La Follette, a key figure in progressive state reform, helped turn Wisconsin into a 'laboratory of progressivism,' passing major reforms like workers' compensation and railroad regulations.
• 😀 The Progressive Era saw the rise of interest groups, such as professional organizations, labor unions, and social workers, which sought to advance reforms outside the traditional party system.
• 😀 The Progressive movement also had significant impacts on race relations, with figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and the NAACP fighting against segregation and lynching while advancing civil rights for African Americans.

Q & A

What was the main belief of Progressives during the early 20th century?

Progressives believed that society could be improved through constant effort, with the government playing a key role in intervening to create a stronger nation. They sought to impose order and justice in a society facing issues due to rapid industrialization and urbanization.

Who were muckrakers, and what was their role in the Progressive Era?

Muckrakers were journalists who exposed social, economic, and political injustices in America. They targeted trusts, especially railroads, and urban political machines, shining a light on corruption and stirring public outrage, which led many to advocate for social justice.

How did the Social Gospel influence the Progressive movement?

The Social Gospel, inspired by Christian moral teachings, encouraged Americans to view social justice as a moral duty. It inspired many to engage in reform efforts, such as establishing settlement houses like Hull House, and advocating for better conditions for women and children.

What role did women play in the Progressive Era?

Women were central to the Progressive movement, especially in reforming labor conditions, securing women’s and child labor laws, and advocating for suffrage. Women's clubs became powerful in pushing for social changes, and women also played key roles in areas like teaching, nursing, and social work.

What was the significance of the women’s suffrage movement in the Progressive Era?

The women's suffrage movement was one of the largest and most important reforms of the Progressive Era. Suffragists argued that women’s maternal influence would improve politics, and after years of campaigning, the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote.

How did Progressives attempt to challenge political dominance at the local and state levels?

Progressives implemented reforms such as the secret ballot to reduce party control over voters. They also advocated for initiatives, referendums, direct primaries, and recall processes to increase voter power and challenge corruption in local and state governments.

What were some key reforms introduced by Robert M. La Follette in Wisconsin?

Robert M. La Follette’s reforms in Wisconsin included direct primaries, worker's compensation, regulating railroads and utilities, a graduated tax on inheritances, and higher taxes on corporations. His efforts turned Wisconsin into a 'laboratory of progressivism.'

How did the Progressive movement influence the development of interest groups in American politics?

As Progressives worked to reduce the power of major political parties, they gave rise to interest groups. These groups, including professional organizations, labor unions, and social reformers, played an increasingly important role in advocating for their interests outside the traditional party system.

What were the key goals of Progressive reformers with regard to racial issues?

Progressive reformers, including African American leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois, worked to challenge racial segregation and address issues such as lynching. The Niagara Movement, which later merged into the NAACP, was a major force in advocating for racial equality.

How did Theodore Roosevelt contribute to Progressive reforms, especially in regard to corporate power?

Theodore Roosevelt was a champion of regulating large corporations, particularly monopolies. His antitrust efforts, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, aimed to curb corporate abuses while maintaining a competitive market. Roosevelt's conservation efforts also played a key role in the Progressive Era.

What were the main features of Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom program?

Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom program focused on breaking up monopolies, lowering tariffs, and creating a more equitable banking system. His administration passed the Federal Reserve Act, created the Federal Trade Commission, and supported measures to regulate child labor and improve labor rights.