Progressive Stations
STATION ONE-PAGE 51
Approaches to Regulating Big Business
Laissez-faire:
•
Belief that government should not get
involved in business; “Hands off” the
economy
•
Led to the free enterprise system in
which individuals made the economic
decisions
Social Darwinism:
•
“Survival of the fittest”
•
Led to the belief that those most able to
succeed and lead would rise to the
occasion
•
The weak would be eliminated
Assignments
Ω Create a poster that displays and explains
Laissez-Faire and Social Darwinism.
∆ Create a story that represents either LaissezFaire or Social Darwinism.
♣ Evaluate the impact of Laissez-Faire and
Social Darwinism on American business and
labor. Describe each compact thoroughly and
provide an illustration for each.
Standard: 8.E.1.1
STATION FOUR-Page 54
A Little About the Progressives
 Set out to tackle the problems of their era
 Did not form one single group
 Largely City Dwellers
 Usually Educated Professionals (Doctors.
Lawyers, Priests etc…)
 Usually wide range of Concern
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Beliefs of Progressives
Usually Optimists
Believed new developments in technology
could improve society
Saw party politics as corrupt
Had faith a strong central government
could correct abuses and protect right
Assignments
All Students: Read the article titled,
Progressivism Sweeps the Nation. Write a
summary of the article.
Directions: Complete an assignment
below based on the symbol you received.
Ω Create two political cartoons that represent
the Progressives. Provide an explanation for each
cartoon.
∆ Pretend that you were a citizen during the
Progressive Era. Create a list of five quotes that
would fit that era.
♣ Create a rap stating the beliefs of the
Progressive Era and the oppositions they faced.
Standard: 8.C.&.G2.2
STATION TWO-PAGE 52
Growth of Labor Unions
Formed by workers as a means to improve
conditions
In collective bargaining union members
negotiated labor issues with management
Most employers disliked unions and attempted to
take measures to stop unions by:
•
Forbidding union meetings
•
Firing union organizers
•
Forcing “yellow dog contracts”—workers
promised never to join a union or go on
strike
•
Prohibiting collective bargaining
Assignments
Directions: Complete an assignment below
based on the symbol you received.
Ω Create a commercial that encourages other to
join a labor union. What are the pros and cons of a
labor union? What are the causes and effects of a
labor union? What impact can a labor union make?
∆ How did working conditions in the late 1800’s
contribute to the growth of labor unions. Be
specific.
♣ What factor do you think limited the growth of
labor unions in the 1800’s? Be specific and use
textual evidence.
Standard: 8H.3.3
STATION FIVE-Page55
Opposition to the Progressives(Dangers)
 Many business leaders opposed business
regulation
 Many workers, and farmers did not even
benefit from Progressive reform
 Neither did other groups-African Americans,
Asians, and Native Americans
 Most business owners were Social Darwinists
(believed in survival of the fittest)
Factors Aiding the Progressives(benefits)
 Worked with national voluntary
organizations, Centered in cities
 Communications (Telephone, and Telegraph
systems)
 Inexpensive mass-circulation periodicals
 Improved economy: Optimistic climate, and
Resources to support reform
Assignments
Directions: Complete an assignment below
based on the symbol you received.
Ω ∆- Many people were opposed to the
Progressive. After reading the oppositions, would
you be for or against the Progressives? Why or Why
not?
♣. Create a campaign advertisement convincing
people of the dangers or benefits of Progressivism.
Standard: 8.H.3.3

STATION THREE- Page 53
Labor Conflict
If bargaining failed unions would use
strikes.

Strike: to stop work in order to force an
employer to comply with demands

Strikes would sometimes end in
violence, and were not always successful
Assignments
ALL STUDENTS-Read the article titled,
Labor Vs. Management. Answer the
following questions.
1. Summarize the information under the
subtitle: Strikes, Boycotts and Sabotage.
2. The text says, owners had strategies on
their own. Explain that statements using
evidence from the text.
Directions: Complete an assignment
below based on the symbol you
received.
Ω Write a thirty second speech explaining the
importance of being able to participate in a
strike.
∆ Create a photo essay or brochure to
chronicle the central idea of the article. Use
specific facts from the article.
♣ Analyze the political cartoon in the article.
Write a description of the cartoon and explain
why it is appropriate for the article. Create
your own political cartoon. Write a brief
explanation to explain the cartoon.
Standard: 8H.3.3
STATION SIX-Page 56
Muckrakers
A journalist who exposed the ills of society;
investigative journalist
Assignments
ALL STUDENTS: Read the article titled
Muckrakers. Answer the following
questions:
1. Create a list of five character traits that you
would use to describe UPTON SINCLAIR.
Explain why you would used that particular
character trait.
2. Interpret the statement, “Sinclair said the
aimed for America’s heart and instead hit is
stomach.”
Directions: Complete an assignment
below based on the symbol you
received.
Ω Create a journal entry as if you were a
Muckraker. Explain a day of your life.
∆ Pretend that you are one of the Muckrakers
listed above. Create a primary source
document that represents what you exposed.
♣ Using the article, which muckraker do you
think made the most impact or “noise”?
Explain your answer by using details from the
text. (In the text it says..)
Standard: 8.C.&G.2.2