The Contradictions of
the Progressive Era
The Contradiction
• Most progressives were WASP
Reformers who were
indifferent to minorities
− They wanted everyone to follow
the white-middle class way of life
− A type of Social Control
− Americanization: the belief that
assimilating immigrants into
American society would make
them more loyal citizens
Dress like them, speak English only, replace
the foods & customs of their homeland
Racism Limits the ultimate goals
• Many Progressives were
prejudice of non-whites
• Some people more fit
then others to be leaders
• Social Darwinism
− They agreed with laws that
kept A.A. from voting
− “They must accept in the
white man’s country the
place assigned to them by
the white man.”
• Segregation was rampant and
supported by govt.
• African Americans would not
be denied
• Booker T. Washington, visible
African American leader urged
patience
•
While others like W.E.B. Du
Bois & William Monroe
Trotter urged AA to demand
the rights guaranteed by the
constitution immediately
Niagara Movement
• Du Bois & Trotter got
together and formed a
movement to combat
segregation and give AA the
right to vote.
• The Niagara Movement: that
met in Canada because not
hotel along the border would
room them
• Despite their bold ideas this
movement never grew bigger
than a few hundred strong
Denounced Waiting around
Wanted equal education
So that AA could think for themselves.
Organizations Form to Fight for
Equal Rights
• Springfield riots cause
progressives to reexamine their views
• They acknowledge the
following
− The need to help AA
protect their lives
− Win the right to vote
− Secure civil rights
1909 the got together with
the leaders of the Niagara
movement to form the
NAACP
• The National Association for
the Advancement of Colored
People
− Help AA be free physically
from abuse, ignorance, insult,
and politically free to have a
voice
− White & Black Progressives:
Jane Addans, Florence Kelley,
Ida B. Wells, & Ray Stunnard
Baker
− Use the court to challenge
unfair laws
− Equal access to housing &
careers
Urban League
• NAACP helped middle class black
struggle for justice
• The Urban League was formed
• A network of churches & clubs
that set up employment agencies &
relief efforts for AA in the cities
Both the NAACP & The
Urban League still aide
African Americans Today
− Focused on poorer workers
− Helped families buy cloths, food, and
send children to school
− Helped maids & factory workers find
jobs.
Problems Faced By Other Minorities
• Jews in New York fought for their
rights & formed groups to aide
Jewish families
• The Anti-Defamation League
1913: main goal was and is to defend
Jews & others to secure justice and
fair treatment for all citizens alike.
• Mexican Americans formed their own
organizations
− PLM: Partido Liberal Mexicano
− Mutualistas: groups that made loans,
provided legal assistance, & insurance if
you were to sick to work
Octaviano Larrazolo:
Progressive Governor of New Mexico
•Protected latinos from discrimination
•Favored bilingual education
•Rights for women
Asian Americans Fight Unfair Laws
• 1913 California law said that
only American citizens could
own land
• Japanese immigrants were not
allowed to become citizens, so
they could not own land
• Takao Ozawa fought the law
that denied him citizenship but
the Supreme Court ruled
against him in 1922
Welcome to America!
Problems Faced By Other Minorities
Cont.
• Many Mexican Americans were forced
into unfair labor contracts that kept
them indebt to those they worked for
• 1911 Supreme Court outlawed these
contracts
• Native Americans were just as ignored
− Dawes Act: allowed their land to be sold
away
− Carlos Montezuma, a Native American from
Arizona helped establish The Society of
•Preserve their culture
American Indians to protest federal Indian
•Build their own lives
policy
•Avoid being dependent
On govt.