7.1 - Progressivism and Social Reform
Roots of Progressivism:
- Caused by Industrialization:
- Big businesses and corporations
- Exploitation of workers
- Laissez - faire and government regulation/accountability
- Fairer wealth distribution - graduated income tax
- Pragmatism: philosophy that the truth can be discovered through experience and that the value
of ideas should be measured by their consequences (effects)
- Muckrakers: journalists who wanted to expose corruption and building more support for
progressivism
Female Progressivism and Women’s suffrage:
- Hull House - settlement houses that served as a center of social reform, providing low-class with
education and the resources necessary to improve their lives
- Philosophies:
- Civic housekeeping: women could only protect their own households from the effects of
industrialization by attacking sources of chaos → organizations and unions
- Suffragists: supporters of women’s voting rights and equality
- Feminism: men and women should have equal opportunities
- National Association of Colored Women: largest federation of black womens’ clubs who
promoted collective interests and defend/protect these interests and rights
- Muller v. Oregon (1908): SC decision that established a 10h workday for women
- Sheppard-Towner Act: allowed nurses to offer healthcare information to women and mothers,
designed to reduce infant mortality rates..
- Nineteenth Amendment (1920): granted women the right to vote
- National American Women’s Suffrage Association (1980): organization that contributes to the
passage of the nineteenth amendment ← a major gain
Racial Equality and Progressivism:
- Tuskegee Institute: institution dedicated to educating black people for job skills and industrial
habits
- NAACP: progressive organization that fought for racial equality through court cases
- Organizations were established, but white supremacists continued to disenfranchise black people,
and presidents (WW, TD, etc. did not do much about this issue)
- Booker T Washington and Web DuBois: Opposing views on the issues with racial equality.
- Washington claims that they should accept their situation, work together as a whole to
some together and rise, but believe it is the fault of African Americans for the state they
continue to be in.
- Web DuBois claims that Washinton’s claims are indifferent, careless and don’t have much
thought. He says his program accepts the inferiority of Negro races, telling them to give
up their equality, political power, insistence on civil rights, etc.
Morality, Prohibition and Social Control:
- Women’s Christian Temperance Union (1874): campaigned to ban the sale of alcohol, drugs,
etc. to “protect the home”
- Eighteenth Amendment (1918): banned the sale of liquor, alcoholic beverages; repealed in 1923
, -
Mann Act (1910): banned the transportation of white women across state borders for
prostitution, reinforced racial segregation, standards of moral behavior and social roles for
women; this also affected black men seen with white women
- Attempt to control women through court cases by claiming their actions ‘violated’ social norms
- They used eugenics to get rid of people who didn’t fit into their idealistic view; not wanting to
create ‘unfit’ children, Margaret Sanger introduced the idea of contraception, claiming it would
raise the quality of the white race
………….
7.2: Progressivism and Political Reform — How and why is the US still so
conservative?
New Immigrants and New Challenges:
- Triangle Shirtwaist fire (1911): industrial fire that pushed progressivism further and revealed
that workers were put under unsafe measures
- Nothing really changed for immigrants, they did not gain any improvements related to their
standards of living, they were not directly at the front, leading the Progressive movements, they
were more affected by it
Teddy Roosevelt, Woordrow Wilson and Presidencies:
- Teddy Roosevelt believed that the president should have a stronger position in government,
nominated by Progressives, he sought to fix many social issues like meat inspection, suffrage, etc.
- New Nationalism - agenda for his 1912 campaign that called for the increased regulation
of large corporations, the active role of the government and the extension of social justice
- “Square Deal” - his economic plan to provide stability to the nation and guarantee
workers’ rights; corporate laws, conservationism, and worker protections
- Bully pulpit - term he used to decisive his office of presidency, believing the president
should use his position to promote programs and connect with people
- Elkins Act (1903) - promote competition and eliminate complete dominance in the
railroad industry by outlawing the rebates of railroads to smaller businesses and shippers
who had to pay high rates.
- Hepburn Act - standardized shipping rates and took a stance on conserving public lands
- Department of Commerce and Labor, which gathered and reported information,
ensuring fair business practices.
- Roosevelt Corollary (1904) - addition to the Monroe Doctrine saying that it is in the
right of the US to intervene in the internal conflicts of Caribbean and Latin American
countries, justifying imperialism through protection
- “Big stick” diplomacy - aggressive foreign diplomacy backed by the threat of force
“speak softly and carry a big stick” - “negotiating peacefully but also having strength in
case things go wrong.”
- Woodrow Wilson believed in a more confined role of the president, he governed after Taft, from
1912 to 1921 throughout WW1, some liked him, others didn't… Under his presidency:
- New Freedom Agenda - alternative to TR: small businesses, a confined government role
to ensure competition and that people should make the best of their opportunities (BT.W)
- Sixteenth Amendment - provided a legal basis for graduated income tax (you
are taxed based off of profit)
, - Underwood Act - reduced tariffs on imported goods and reintroduced the federal
income tax (16th Amend.)
- Clayton Antitrust Act - strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act banning certain
corporate operations: price discrimination, unfair treatment, etc.
- Adamson Act - established an 8 hour workday and overtime for private workers
- Keating - Owen Act - outlawed child labor in interstate commerce, but ruled
unconstitutional in 1918
- Workmen’s Compensation Act - guaranteed the rights of federal employees to
receive financial compensation or pursue legal action on a case of being injured
- Under this policy, he believed the Germans could pick themselves up from the
ground they kept digging themselves into, he believed he could hold them
accountable for their actions so he didn’t intervene during the first 3 years of
WW1
- He did not think of the German’s government, or the government of any other
country in that case, oppressive, he only thought that of Mexico and Cuba who
had “military dictatorships” wanting to institute democracy
Conservation and the Preservation of the Environment:
- Conservationism: preservation and protection of the natural environment
- The goal of this was to provide companies with large land who had the funds to purchase and
preserve the environment
- Hetch Hetchy Dam/Valley: when SF was engulfed in flames, this dam was used to solve that
problem. Debates about its use revealed the progressives did not consider all Americans in their
movements, they did not consult with the Mono Lake Paiutes when using this dam
- Muckrakers: exposed corruption, scandal and focused on building support for progressivism
- The Jungle was published to expose the poor conditions that workers in the meat industry were
placed under, but people saw the book in a different view:
- The Food and Drug Act: prevented the manufacturing, sale and distribution of
“harmful” foods, drugs, etc.
- Meat Inspection Act: benefited consumers, not workers, and large businesses who were
able to outspend other smaller businesses to meet the meat requirements
Populists v. Progressives:
Populists Progressives
- Farmers - Government intervention
- Industrial Workers - Women - on the front line, working from
- Desire for Silver Coinage home, not working in factories like in
- Outside the government Period 6
- Middle Class Workers
- Reform and action guided by human
experiences and ethics (social gospel)
- Addressed issues caused by immigration,
corruption, urbanization, etc.
- “Insider looking out (government)”
, 7.3: Awakening of Imperialism (Intro to Spanish-American War, WW1 and the
Philippines)
Economics and Justifications of Expansion:
- US wanted to expand because they thought it would be necessary to counter the period of great
industrialization and capitalism they had just experienced
- They wanted to gain control of overseas markets and territories to continue making profit and
“improving”
- Main goal was a market with China, they had recently experienced an overall decline in
economics after the boom-bust cycles
- White-supremcy was a main justification for the eventual control of overseas territory
- They believed people of Latin American, China, Africa and Asia to be a threat and wanted to
spread aspects of Chrisitan life overseas (missionaries were used to do just that)
- Jingoist: term used to describe the supported of westward expansion and imperialism through
military power, patriarchal and wanted a war
War with Spain:
- Spanish American War (1898) - War where the US sided with Cuba to gain its independence
from Spain, they wanted to take control of these latin american countries to dominate powers in
europe and compete
- Cuba Libre - vision of Cuban independence with social and racial equality - aspect was never
applied after Cubans won independence from Spain
- Teller Amendment (1898) - an amendment to the Cuban declaration of war against Spain that
stipulated Cuba should be free and independent
- Yellow journalism - american intervention in Cuba that claimed Cuba needed further support and
intervention, they were ruled under a tyrant
- Platt Amendment (1901) - act stating that Cubans’ sovereignty should be ignored and limited,
pressured into the Cuban constitution
Philippine War:
- Same thing with Cuba, US wanted to take over the Philippines because they wanted a closer
connection to the Chinese market
- Justified if through yellow journalism and the belief that these people could not self-govern
- Anti-Imperialist League (1898) - organization opposing the annexation of the Philippines
(viewed Philippines as unworthy of an asset, a competition from cheap labor, etc.)
- Racist sentiments arose but the US took it too far, overbearing steps to gain control over the
Philippines..
US Imperialism: Extended
- In 1900, Teddy Roosevelt succeeded Mckinley as president, believing that the intervention of the
government in economic and social affairs would help/protect the US
- Hay-Pauncefote Treaty: treaty with britain that allowed the US to construct the Panama canal,
which would allow the US to expand its influence and gain more economic profit
- “Big-stick” diplomacy: “speak softly and carry a big stick” - aggressive diplomacy used by TD
through the threat of force
Roots of Progressivism:
- Caused by Industrialization:
- Big businesses and corporations
- Exploitation of workers
- Laissez - faire and government regulation/accountability
- Fairer wealth distribution - graduated income tax
- Pragmatism: philosophy that the truth can be discovered through experience and that the value
of ideas should be measured by their consequences (effects)
- Muckrakers: journalists who wanted to expose corruption and building more support for
progressivism
Female Progressivism and Women’s suffrage:
- Hull House - settlement houses that served as a center of social reform, providing low-class with
education and the resources necessary to improve their lives
- Philosophies:
- Civic housekeeping: women could only protect their own households from the effects of
industrialization by attacking sources of chaos → organizations and unions
- Suffragists: supporters of women’s voting rights and equality
- Feminism: men and women should have equal opportunities
- National Association of Colored Women: largest federation of black womens’ clubs who
promoted collective interests and defend/protect these interests and rights
- Muller v. Oregon (1908): SC decision that established a 10h workday for women
- Sheppard-Towner Act: allowed nurses to offer healthcare information to women and mothers,
designed to reduce infant mortality rates..
- Nineteenth Amendment (1920): granted women the right to vote
- National American Women’s Suffrage Association (1980): organization that contributes to the
passage of the nineteenth amendment ← a major gain
Racial Equality and Progressivism:
- Tuskegee Institute: institution dedicated to educating black people for job skills and industrial
habits
- NAACP: progressive organization that fought for racial equality through court cases
- Organizations were established, but white supremacists continued to disenfranchise black people,
and presidents (WW, TD, etc. did not do much about this issue)
- Booker T Washington and Web DuBois: Opposing views on the issues with racial equality.
- Washington claims that they should accept their situation, work together as a whole to
some together and rise, but believe it is the fault of African Americans for the state they
continue to be in.
- Web DuBois claims that Washinton’s claims are indifferent, careless and don’t have much
thought. He says his program accepts the inferiority of Negro races, telling them to give
up their equality, political power, insistence on civil rights, etc.
Morality, Prohibition and Social Control:
- Women’s Christian Temperance Union (1874): campaigned to ban the sale of alcohol, drugs,
etc. to “protect the home”
- Eighteenth Amendment (1918): banned the sale of liquor, alcoholic beverages; repealed in 1923
, -
Mann Act (1910): banned the transportation of white women across state borders for
prostitution, reinforced racial segregation, standards of moral behavior and social roles for
women; this also affected black men seen with white women
- Attempt to control women through court cases by claiming their actions ‘violated’ social norms
- They used eugenics to get rid of people who didn’t fit into their idealistic view; not wanting to
create ‘unfit’ children, Margaret Sanger introduced the idea of contraception, claiming it would
raise the quality of the white race
………….
7.2: Progressivism and Political Reform — How and why is the US still so
conservative?
New Immigrants and New Challenges:
- Triangle Shirtwaist fire (1911): industrial fire that pushed progressivism further and revealed
that workers were put under unsafe measures
- Nothing really changed for immigrants, they did not gain any improvements related to their
standards of living, they were not directly at the front, leading the Progressive movements, they
were more affected by it
Teddy Roosevelt, Woordrow Wilson and Presidencies:
- Teddy Roosevelt believed that the president should have a stronger position in government,
nominated by Progressives, he sought to fix many social issues like meat inspection, suffrage, etc.
- New Nationalism - agenda for his 1912 campaign that called for the increased regulation
of large corporations, the active role of the government and the extension of social justice
- “Square Deal” - his economic plan to provide stability to the nation and guarantee
workers’ rights; corporate laws, conservationism, and worker protections
- Bully pulpit - term he used to decisive his office of presidency, believing the president
should use his position to promote programs and connect with people
- Elkins Act (1903) - promote competition and eliminate complete dominance in the
railroad industry by outlawing the rebates of railroads to smaller businesses and shippers
who had to pay high rates.
- Hepburn Act - standardized shipping rates and took a stance on conserving public lands
- Department of Commerce and Labor, which gathered and reported information,
ensuring fair business practices.
- Roosevelt Corollary (1904) - addition to the Monroe Doctrine saying that it is in the
right of the US to intervene in the internal conflicts of Caribbean and Latin American
countries, justifying imperialism through protection
- “Big stick” diplomacy - aggressive foreign diplomacy backed by the threat of force
“speak softly and carry a big stick” - “negotiating peacefully but also having strength in
case things go wrong.”
- Woodrow Wilson believed in a more confined role of the president, he governed after Taft, from
1912 to 1921 throughout WW1, some liked him, others didn't… Under his presidency:
- New Freedom Agenda - alternative to TR: small businesses, a confined government role
to ensure competition and that people should make the best of their opportunities (BT.W)
- Sixteenth Amendment - provided a legal basis for graduated income tax (you
are taxed based off of profit)
, - Underwood Act - reduced tariffs on imported goods and reintroduced the federal
income tax (16th Amend.)
- Clayton Antitrust Act - strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act banning certain
corporate operations: price discrimination, unfair treatment, etc.
- Adamson Act - established an 8 hour workday and overtime for private workers
- Keating - Owen Act - outlawed child labor in interstate commerce, but ruled
unconstitutional in 1918
- Workmen’s Compensation Act - guaranteed the rights of federal employees to
receive financial compensation or pursue legal action on a case of being injured
- Under this policy, he believed the Germans could pick themselves up from the
ground they kept digging themselves into, he believed he could hold them
accountable for their actions so he didn’t intervene during the first 3 years of
WW1
- He did not think of the German’s government, or the government of any other
country in that case, oppressive, he only thought that of Mexico and Cuba who
had “military dictatorships” wanting to institute democracy
Conservation and the Preservation of the Environment:
- Conservationism: preservation and protection of the natural environment
- The goal of this was to provide companies with large land who had the funds to purchase and
preserve the environment
- Hetch Hetchy Dam/Valley: when SF was engulfed in flames, this dam was used to solve that
problem. Debates about its use revealed the progressives did not consider all Americans in their
movements, they did not consult with the Mono Lake Paiutes when using this dam
- Muckrakers: exposed corruption, scandal and focused on building support for progressivism
- The Jungle was published to expose the poor conditions that workers in the meat industry were
placed under, but people saw the book in a different view:
- The Food and Drug Act: prevented the manufacturing, sale and distribution of
“harmful” foods, drugs, etc.
- Meat Inspection Act: benefited consumers, not workers, and large businesses who were
able to outspend other smaller businesses to meet the meat requirements
Populists v. Progressives:
Populists Progressives
- Farmers - Government intervention
- Industrial Workers - Women - on the front line, working from
- Desire for Silver Coinage home, not working in factories like in
- Outside the government Period 6
- Middle Class Workers
- Reform and action guided by human
experiences and ethics (social gospel)
- Addressed issues caused by immigration,
corruption, urbanization, etc.
- “Insider looking out (government)”
, 7.3: Awakening of Imperialism (Intro to Spanish-American War, WW1 and the
Philippines)
Economics and Justifications of Expansion:
- US wanted to expand because they thought it would be necessary to counter the period of great
industrialization and capitalism they had just experienced
- They wanted to gain control of overseas markets and territories to continue making profit and
“improving”
- Main goal was a market with China, they had recently experienced an overall decline in
economics after the boom-bust cycles
- White-supremcy was a main justification for the eventual control of overseas territory
- They believed people of Latin American, China, Africa and Asia to be a threat and wanted to
spread aspects of Chrisitan life overseas (missionaries were used to do just that)
- Jingoist: term used to describe the supported of westward expansion and imperialism through
military power, patriarchal and wanted a war
War with Spain:
- Spanish American War (1898) - War where the US sided with Cuba to gain its independence
from Spain, they wanted to take control of these latin american countries to dominate powers in
europe and compete
- Cuba Libre - vision of Cuban independence with social and racial equality - aspect was never
applied after Cubans won independence from Spain
- Teller Amendment (1898) - an amendment to the Cuban declaration of war against Spain that
stipulated Cuba should be free and independent
- Yellow journalism - american intervention in Cuba that claimed Cuba needed further support and
intervention, they were ruled under a tyrant
- Platt Amendment (1901) - act stating that Cubans’ sovereignty should be ignored and limited,
pressured into the Cuban constitution
Philippine War:
- Same thing with Cuba, US wanted to take over the Philippines because they wanted a closer
connection to the Chinese market
- Justified if through yellow journalism and the belief that these people could not self-govern
- Anti-Imperialist League (1898) - organization opposing the annexation of the Philippines
(viewed Philippines as unworthy of an asset, a competition from cheap labor, etc.)
- Racist sentiments arose but the US took it too far, overbearing steps to gain control over the
Philippines..
US Imperialism: Extended
- In 1900, Teddy Roosevelt succeeded Mckinley as president, believing that the intervention of the
government in economic and social affairs would help/protect the US
- Hay-Pauncefote Treaty: treaty with britain that allowed the US to construct the Panama canal,
which would allow the US to expand its influence and gain more economic profit
- “Big-stick” diplomacy: “speak softly and carry a big stick” - aggressive diplomacy used by TD
through the threat of force
