Progressive Reform
Americans Ch. 6-9
History Alive! Ch. 12-18
Enduring Understandings
1. The process of
not only on the economy, but the entire culture.
in the United States had positive and negative impacts,
2. Individuals and groups can actively participate to
the government and
reform society, but are often met with opposition by those who want to protect the status quo.
3. Social
is a product of society, not just individual differences.
Essential Questions
1. Who benefits and who suffers during the times of profound economic change?


The growing industrial economy created profound changes in wealth, opportunity, and equality.
How working conditions changed and how the workers responded to new industrial conditions.
2. How can people change society?




How the Progressives responded to the distinctive needs of an industrial society.
Progressive attempts at social and moral reform, including legislation and Constitutional amendments.
Women petitioned and protested in order to gain the right to vote.
Presidential leadership in obtaining passage of reform and conservation measures.
3. Did this period of reform move America closer or further away from its founding ideals?

How the ideals of liberty, equality, opportunity, rights and democracy were exemplified or contradicted during
this time period.
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION
In the decades following the C
(1870 – 1910)
War, industrialization moved America further and further away
from Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a country populated by independent and self-sufficient
industrial era was characterized by the development of the transcontinental
. The
, which served as a
major catalyst for western expansion and national economic growth and fueled the rise of heavy
and large
. By the end of the 19th century, the United States had become a technologically
society — an economic colossus that produced close to one-
advanced and increasingly
of the
world’s goods. There was an explosion of discovery in the late 19th century with the invention of such
technologies as the t
,e
light bulb and p
. Incredible new
evolved so that inventions such as these could be produced for a mass market. Americans were proud of
what these businesses accomplished and looked to industry and science as a
to many of the
world’s problems. These large and powerful corporations, headed by often philanthropic “c
industry” such as Andrew C
and John D. R
of
, dominated their competition.
However, in the process of acquiring vast wealth, they exploited not only many of the nation’s natural
, but also the thousands of European
who worked for them.
Environmental groups responded to threats to the natural environment and developed programs to try to
America’s natural wonders. Movements also arose to address problems of p
d
faced by an over
favored
and under
and
urban workforce. The struggle between those who
economic growth and those demanding better working conditions and a more
livable environment would continue for generations to come.
Time Line
1862 — The Federal H
Act is passed.
1864 — President L
sets aside the Yosemite Valley for preservation.
1865 — The Civil War ends.
1869 — The
railroad is completed in Promontory, Utah.
1869-1870 — The Utah and Wyoming territories give women the right to
1871 — Y
.
National Park is created.
1873 — Thousands of businesses close during a major financial
.
1876 — Alexander Graham Bell holds the first public demonstration of the telephone at the Centennial
Exposition in P
.
1879 — Thomas
develops the first practical light bulb.
1885 — The Santa Fe Railroad to southern California is completed.
1892 — John Muir helps to establish the S
Club.
Progressive Movement
(~1890s-WW I era)
The Progressive Movement at the turn of the
th century was a response to the major social problems left in the
wake of the nation’s unbridled
expansion and the massive influx of new
.
from Europe. Progressive-era reformers sought to gain citizen control over the nation’s monopolistic corporations
and had some success in improving the
conditions of America’s industrial workforce.
and
Activists such as Jane Addams and Ida Tarbell addressed issues of women’s
and exposed corporate excesses.
and child labor
like Lincoln Steffens and Upton Sinclair attacked
and squalid conditions in America’s
, political
industry. Other more
processing
. groups such as the Socialists and the Industrial Workers of the World emerged
and had substantial political adherents, but they were often maligned and mistreated because their beliefs placed them
outside of the
of the nation. While Progressive crusaders did not actively address issues of
, African-American leaders Ida B.Wells-Barnett, Booker T.Washington and W.E.B. DuBois advocated
different approaches for dealing with lynching, racism and cultural
future progress in the area of
, setting the course for significant
rights. Progressives found political
.in Presidents Theodore
Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Although they had different political agendas, both helped ensure that
such as the Pure Food and Drug Act, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act and the Federal Reserve Act were passed. While
brought the Progressive Movement to a halt, the spirit of reform would reemerge strongly
in the future.
Time Line
18
—Clara Barton assists in founding the American Red Cross.
1881—Booker T. Washington founds the T
Institute in Alabama.
1889—Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Star open
1890—The
in Chicago.
Anti-Trust Act is enacted.
1892—Almost two hundred African-Americans are
in the United States.
1901—President McKinley is assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt becomes president.
1904—Ida Tarbell writes an expose of the Standard
1905—I
W
Trust Company.
of the W
1906—Upton Sinclair publishes The
is formed (a.k.a The
.
1906—The federal Meat Inspection Act is passed.
1906—The
19
Food and Drug Act is enacted.
—The NAACP is founded.
1909—The National Conservation Commission is formed.
1912—W
W
1914—The Clayton Anti-Trust Act is passed.
19
—World War I begins in Europe.
is elected president of the United States.
)
Vocabulary
—A monopolistic oil company, founded in the late 19th century by John D. Rockefeller,
that controlled much of the production, refining and transport of oil in the United States.
—An American reform movement within both major political parties, from about 1890
to World War I, that pressed for legislation to reform many aspects of America’s urban and industrial system.
Hull House—The first social settlement house in America. Founded by Jane
and Ellen Gates Star in
Chicago in 1889, it served as a shelter and an educational center, especially for children of immigrants
child labor reform—One of the political and social
of Progressives which sought to regulate the age and the
conditions of work for children.
—The act of getting people of different ethnic cultures to change their ways by
adopting American culture.
Tammany Hall—First organized after the Revolution as a patriotic society in New York City, it later became a
political club and then the Democratic political machine that controlled the
of the city.
—A term first used by President Theodore Roosevelt to describe writers and
journalists such as Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, and Upton Sinclair, who exposed the problems of America’s
industrial system.
The Jungle—A shocking, best-selling 1906 book written by Upton Sinclair that addressed
conditions in America’s meat processing plants.
and
The Pure Food and Drug Act—A 1906 law passed by the Roosevelt administration that created agencies to ensure that
food and medicines produced by American corporations were
.
—During the Progressive Era, the term first used to describe a business monopoly.
trust-busting—A term to describe legal and court actions that attempted to break up the trusts and to make monopolies
.
Clayton Anti-Trust Act—A law approved in 1914 that increased government regulation of business, attempting to
limit monopolistic practices by America’s largest
.
Federal Reserve Act—A law passed by Congress in 1913 that created the Federal Reserve System, the United States
central
system that regulates the nation’s money supply.
The Progressive Party—The political party founded by Theodore Roosevelt to enable him to run as a third party
candidate in the election of 1912, also known as the
Party.
Plessy vs. Ferguson—A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in
through “separate but equal” facilities.
that legalized the segregation of the races
—A particularly brutal vigilante or mob killing of another person. Thousands of African Americans
were killed in the South in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
From the roots of progressivism to settlement houses, muckrakers and city bosses, the United States had become a truly
modern nation. The American people fought the trusts and enacted political reforms that heightened the differences between
the New Nationalism and the New Freedom. This program also follows the Suffrage Movement and introduces progressive
educators like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, as well as political fads like the Socialists and Wobblies.
History Alive!
Chapter 13: Age of Innovation and Industry
Innovations in technology and business boosted American industry in the late 1800s. Large steel, oil, and railroad
corporations dominated the economy, with little governmental control. Industrial expansion produced greater
access to goods and services, and it improved standards of living for many Americans, but not all.
Innovations and inventions Innovations, such as the electric light bulb and kerosene, spurred the growth of new
industries. The telegraph and telephone brought modern communications to homes and businesses. The Bessemer process
lowered the cost of steel and encouraged new forms of construction.
New business techniques Business leaders formed corporations to attract capital from investors, who became owners by
buying stock. They improved production methods in order to mass-produce more goods in less time. By promoting
horizontal or vertical integration, some leaders gained control of major industries. They also sought to reduce competition
by forming monopolies and trusts.
Laissez-faire The federal government generally adopted a laissez-faire policy toward business. This hands-off approach
reflected a belief in social Darwinism. The Sherman Antitrust Act was only feebly enforced.
The Gilded Age While industrialists amassed great fortunes, society was tainted by political corruption and a huge gap
between rich and poor. Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt used some of their wealth to promote the common good.
Historians debate their overall impact, noting increased industrial productivity but also unfair business practices.
Ch. 14: Labor’s Response to Industrialism
The efforts of industrial workers in the late 1800s helped boost the American economy. Yet factory owners often
treated their workers poorly, imposing low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions. Many workers joined
labor unions to fight for better treatment and to raise their standard of living. But hostility between unions and
employers sometimes led to violence.
Working-class conditions The working class suffered greatly during the Gilded Age. Industrial workers accepted low
pay and dangerous conditions because they could not afford to lose their jobs. Many working-class families occupied rundown tenements in poor city slums.
Child labor American industry relied on the labor of whole families, including children, who often worked longer hours
than adults.
Labor unions Workers united to form labor unions and to negotiate better wages and working conditions. Union
membership increased with the rise of national unions and labor federations, such as the American Federation of Labor.
Strikes Failed negotiations led often to strikes and sometimes to violence. The government generally took the side of
business and industry and often helped to break strikes.
Losses and gains for workers Periodic depressions shrank union membership, while violent incidents like the Haymarket
Affair, Homestead Strike, and Pullman Strike helped turn public opinion against unions. However, unions gained wage
increases and reductions in work hours.
Ch. 15: Through Ellis Island and Angel Island
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, large numbers of immigrants came to the United States. Most emigrated from
Europe, but many also arrived from Asia and from other parts of North America. They all saw the United States
as a land of opportunity, but they faced challenges entering the United States and assimilating into American
culture.
Push and pull factors Overcrowded cities, civil unrest, and shortages of food, land, and jobs pushed immigrants out of
their homelands. The promise of wealth, jobs, land, and freedom pulled them to the United States.
Through Ellis Island In the late 1800s, Europeans crossed the Atlantic on steamships, many of them in steerage. In New
York Harbor, steerage passengers underwent a medical inspection and a legal interview at the Ellis Island Immigration
Station. Most of these new immigrants found homes in the ethnic neighborhoods of large cities or on farms in the
Midwest.
Through Angel Island Asians immigrated to the United States in smaller numbers than Europeans. Chinese, Japanese,
Koreans, and Filipinos found work mainly on the commercial farms of the West Coast. After 1910, Asians had to pass a
rigorous inspection at the Angel Island Immigration Station before entering the country.
Across the northern and southern borders Other immigrants came from Mexico and French Canada. Mexican
immigrants tended to settle in the Southwest and California. Immigrants from French Canada settled mainly in New
England and the Great Lakes states. Both ethnic groups faced many of the same challenges as immigrants from other
countries.
Nativism Some Americans objected to mass immigration, especially from Asia and southern and eastern Europe. Strong
opposition from nativists led to the persecution of immigrants and restrictions on immigration.
Ch. 16: Uncovering Problems at the Turn of the Century
Americans faced social, political, and environmental problems at the turn of the century. Many of these problems
were the result of rapid changes brought on by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration.
Industrialization The rapid growth of industry resulted in poor working conditions for many workers. Monopolies took
over industries, squeezing out competition. Some companies also made unsafe products. Muckraking journalists like
Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, worked to expose these problems.
Urbanization Cities grew rapidly with the rise of industry and increased immigration. The infrastructure in many cities
could not meet the demands of a growing population. Many immigrants were crammed into poor ethnic neighborhoods,
such as New York's Lower East Side, where they had few services.
Environmental damage Industry and urbanization produced air and water pollution. Ranching, logging, and extractive
industries also damaged the natural environment.
Political corruption Political machines, like New York's Tammany Hall, fueled corruption in city government. Big
businesses influenced state and national governments. Congress passed the Pendleton Act to clean up the federal
government by creating a professional civil service.
Tensions in society A growing gap between rich and poor fueled social tensions. African Americans suffered racism and
mob violence, while women also faced discrimination. The temperance movement tried to limit or even ban alcohol
consumption. Social changes strained American families, and many people feared the loss of traditional family bonds.
Ch. 17: The Progressives Respond
In the early 1900s, progressives worked to reform American society. Inspired by reform movements like populism
and the Social Gospel, progressives tackled a variety of problems. They tried to improve living and working
conditions in cities, clean up state and local government, and advance the rights of women and minorities.
Urban living conditions Progressives like Jane Addams, the cofounder of Hull House, worked to fix up poor city
neighborhoods. They tried to improve tenement housing, sanitation, and garbage collection.
Worker protection Progressives fought to improve working conditions. They promoted laws limiting work hours and
guaranteeing workers' compensation. They formed the National Child Labor Committee to campaign against child labor
and get more children into school.
Clean, responsive government Progressives sought to end government corruption at the local level. They worked to curb
the power of political machines and restructure local government. They also worked to expand democracy at the state
level. They supported reform governors like Robert La Follette and passed electoral reforms like the secret ballot, direct
primary, recall, initiative, and referendum.
Struggle for equal rights Women and African Americans sought to advance their rights. Reform goals included voting
rights for women and an end to lynching and segregation. NAWSA led the struggle for women's suffrage, while the
NAACP tried to secure equality for African Americans.
Ch. 18: Progressivism on the National Stage
Three progressive presidents—Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson—held office
from 1901 to 1921, during the Progressive Era. Their goals and styles of leadership differed, but they all worked to
bring about reforms on the national level.
Three distinct leaders Despite their varying leadership styles, the progressive presidents believed in using government to
improve society. In carrying out reform programs, such as Roosevelt's Square Deal and Wilson's New Freedom, they
increased the power of the presidency.
Addressing the effects of industrialization Reformers passed laws to break up monopolies and help workers. They tried
to protect consumers through such laws as the Pure Food and Drug Act. They also tried to preserve the environment by
conserving resources.
Sixteenth Amendment This amendment established a federal income tax, which progressives favored as a means to fund
government programs. Congress made the tax a graduated income tax, which placed a heavier tax burden on the wealthy.
Seventeenth Amendment This amendment established the direct election of U.S. senators, another progressive goal. It
replaced the election of senators by state legislatures.
Federal Reserve System Congress set up the Federal Reserve to bring stability to the banking system and prevent
financial panics. The Fed, which consists of 12 federal banks, lends money to private banks and sets policies that govern
interest rates and the amount of money in circulation.
Eighteenth Amendment This amendment established prohibition, or a ban on alcohol. Many progressives believed that
alcohol consumption was a serious social ill.
Nineteenth Amendment This amendment guaranteed women the right to vote. This was an important progressive goal
designed to advance democratic rights.