The History of Progressive Era in the US Presentation

Progressivism

Political movement supporting the ordinary people’s interests through their roles of consumers, employees, parents and citizens.

Progressive Working Class

• High rate of business and industrial development;
• The establishment of labor unions;
• “Making Steel and Killing Men” character of work;
• The spread of protests and strikes;
• The emergency of Populist Party.

Women

• Female labor promotion;
• The emergency of feminists movements and organizations;
• Racism obstacles against black women;
• Female Public Education;
• The spread of children’s labor;
• High rate of divorces;
• Female alcoholism;
• Fight for the rights of women.

Immigrants in Progressive Era

• About 15 million of Immigrants;
• Poor Working Conditions;
• “Americanization” program for immigrants;
• Ethic enclaves;
• The Development of Anti-Immigration tendencies;
• Low wages and terrible living conditions.

City and State Government

City and State Governments’ reforms:

• Social reform – Pingree Hazen, Detroit (1890-1896);
• Structural reform – (1918-1920) Couzen James;
• Municipal reform: city managers, commission government.
• Anti-Trust and Prohibition Acts;
• Federal Trade Commission;
• Pure Food and Drug Act.

Progressive Middle Class Professions

• Middle class is concentrated on Mining sphere development;
• Female fight for infant and maternal health protection;
• Administrative professions;
• Law, business, medicine, religion professions;
• American Medical Association (1901);
• National Education Association (1905);
• Industrial positions.

Presidency and Federal Government

• Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909):
  • “Trust Busting”;
  • The Jungle – 1905;
  • “Meat Inspection Act” – 1906;
• William Howard Taft (1909-1913);
• Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921);

Federal Level:

• Northern Security Company;
• New Nationalism;
• “New Freedom”;
• 1913 – Federal Reserve Board;
• Income Tax Amendment.

Muckrakers and Journalism

• Corruption;
• McClure’s Magazine publishing;
• Social injustice;
• Ida Tarbell’s Standard Oil;
• “The Shame of the Cities”, “The Jungle”.

Progressive Conservation

• National Conservation Congress;
• The Introduction of protecting factory workers law;
• Division between progressives and conservatives.

Socialist Party

• Support to working class;
• Democracy promotion;
• Support to urban areas.

Progressive Era Effects

Positive Impact:

• Changes in all spheres of social activities;
• Democracy promotion;
• Social regulations and reforms;
• Support to Working Class;
• Political and Economic innovations.

References

Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, Williams, Gross & Brands. America Past and Present, 8th edition.

Whose Interests Does Progressivism Represent? Web.

Progressive Era Politics. Web.

Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1929. Web.

Learn about the Progressive Era. Digital History. Web.

Working Class Women. On the Front Lines of Feminism. Web.

Socialist Party USA. Web.