Progressive Era Notes #1
The Progressive Era (1890-1920): At odds with corruption and waster in the government, concerned with social injustice, civil
service reform, anti-trust acts, populism, interest in government reform at all levels, muckrakers, conservation, reform, the 16th, 17th,
18th, and 19th amendments, suffrage, prohibition, The Pure Food and Drug Act, Federal Reserve, and the Social Gospel Movement.
PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
WHAT ADVERSITIES DID THEY FACE?
WHERE DID THEY LIVE?
WHAT WERE THEIR JOBS?
HOW DID THEY MOVE FROM PLACE TO
PLACE?
WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES DID
THEY MAKE?
WHAT LAWS DID THEY PASS?
The Progressive Movement
 The end of the ____________________ saw economic and urban growth along with a widening _________
between the rich and the poor.
 The ________________________ movement focused on reforming __________ problems such as workers’
rights, poor sanitation, and ____________________________
 Progressives were usually _____________ born, middle class or upper class, and college educated people.
 Journalist called _____________________ uncovered urban exploitation in investigative reports.
 The ____________________ held that Christianity had an obligation to help the poor and less fortunate.
Protecting Consumers and the Environment
 In his book __________________ Upton _______________ exposed unsanitary and unsafe practices in
American meat packing and food processing plants.
 In 1906 Congress passed the _____________________________________ and the Pure Food and Drug Act
designed to inspect and regulate food and drugs.
 Ida B Wells was an American reformer and leader in the ________________________ crusade and
women’s suffrage movement
What types of images do you see in the political cartoon? (i.e. who and what)
Why did Theodore Roosevelt call the Muckrakers?
According to the artist, how is President Roosevelt as a president?
The Social Gospel Movement
 The social gospel movement was an early ________________ that preached salvation would be obtained
through ___________ to the ______________
 It helped to start the establishment of ___________________________ (community centers in slum
neighborhoods that provided _______________________ to people in the area). Jane Addams was a leader
in this movement.
Famous Female Progressives
 Ida B. Wells was an African American woman who spoke out against ______________________ such
as lynching and _________________________ Wells also wrote and spoke in favor of the expansion of
women’s rights including ________________________
 Susan B. Anthony was an advocate for the rights of women including ____________________ and the
rights of women to ____________ land and retain their wages.
 Jane Addams was also an advocate for Women’s rights including suffrage. Addams fought against racial
______________________ and devoted her life to helping people in need.
 Frances Willard worked on behalf of women and children for increased rights and _________________
She strongly favored women’s suffrage and _________________________
The Workplace
Group
Women
Children
Immigrants
Conditions
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Many young women chose to work in factories that made ________________________
These young ladies were often times _________________ and single
Many times their income for doing the same job as a man remained ___________________ than men’s wages
Many children worked in factories, performing ____________________ jobs.
Children were often times receiving income far _______________ than that of the adult worker
_______________________ immigrants used their trade skills to establish businesses of their own
_________________________ were home factory-like operations where skilled and unskilled laborers worked
in unsavory conditions
Reforming the Workplace
 In 1910 almost half of all working women made less than $6 a week and most children
who worked had _______________ been to ____________________
 Progressives sought to enact ________________________ to limit the number of
_______________ and the _________________ of jobs that women and children could
work.
 By 1912, 39 states had some form of ______________________ laws but a minimum
wage for workers would not come until ______________
Tragedy leads to Reform
 In the early 1900’s the Supreme court favored the rights of ______________________ over those of the
workers, claiming workers always had the right to quit a job if ____________________ were bad
 In 1911, 140 New York City factory workers were killed in a fire. The _____________________________
factory lacked fire exits and outrage over the deaths lead lawmakers to pass protective legislation.
 States began to enact _________________________________ which were laws designed to protect the
health and safety of ______________________ (particularly women and children).
Labor Unions
 Labor unions continued to fight along with ________________________ for labor reforms.
 Between 1900 and 1914 the American Federation of Labor grew by _____________ times but still excluded
unskilled and ______________ workers.
 In 1900 the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union organized the mostly immigrant _____________
workers in sewing shops.
 Some industries wanted to have ________________________ where workers were required to join unions
Do we still need labor unions today?
What are some examples of labor unions today?
Cleaning up the Cities
 Reformers also took on the campaign to ______________________ American cities, literally.
 Various women’s clubs worked with government officials to improve ___________________
 Lawrence Veiller called on irresponsible _____________________ owners to improve living
conditions
 In 1901 the New York State Tenement House Act required new tenements have one
bathroom for every three rooms and open courtyards to allow in light and air.
Essential Vocabulary:
Progressive Movement: ______________________________________________________________________
Jane Addams: _____________________________________________________________________________
Social Legislation: __________________________________________________________________________
Closed Shops: _____________________________________________________________________________
Tenement House Act: _______________________________________________________________________