What does progress mean?

As

we talked about last week with Jacob Riis photography, he used this certain media to bring about change in urban areas which were primarily inhabited by working poor/immigrants. The turn of the century marked a time period of reform movements. Reformers prior to this time period had roots in nativism, prohibition, purity crusades, electoral reform, charity reform, settlement houses.

 New

reformers reacted to the effects of the eras rapid industrialization, immigration, and urbanization.

Prosperity or poverty? Congestion in the cities due to factory jobs? Government expands public services but what gets in the way?

What

should be done if private charity is not enough to improve the lives of the industrial poor? Progressive Era defined as 1890-1920

 Not

everyone who identified as a Progressive shared the same views. Why? 4 categories: Social, moral, economics, and political. Generally, Progressives were of average wealth and education

 Four

basic believes despite the different attributes of Progressives:

Government should be more accountable to its citizens. Government should curb the power and influence of wealthy interests. Government should be given expanded powers so that it could become more active improving the lives of its citizens. Governments should become more efficient and less corrupt so that they could competently handle an expanded role.

 The

early progressives rejected Social Darwinism. Why? Progressives were people who believed that the problems society faced (poverty, violence, greed, racism, class warfare) could best be addressed by providing good education, a safe environment, and an efficient workplace. They concentrated on exposing the evils of corporate greed, combating fear of immigrants, and urging Americans to think hard about what democracy meant

 On

a national level, progressivism gained a strong voice in the White House when Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901.

TR believed that strong corporations were good for America, but he also believed that corporate behavior must be watched to ensure that corporate greed did not get out of hand (trustbusting and federal regulation of business) Was it getting out of hand?

 Review/Americans

take action

Union movement grew in the 1890s but slowly If unions succeeded in forming, business leaders could often count on courts to issue injunctions, court orders that prohibit a certain activity.

Ex: Prohibited workers going on strike

Socialists

Many wanted to end capitalism 1902 they formed the Socialist Party of America

 Social

Welfare Programs

Help ensure a minimum standard of living Included

Unemployment benefits, accident and health insurance, and a social security system for the disabled and elderly.

Progressives

envisioned a government that relied on experts and scientists to plan efficient programs managed by professionals, not politicians.

 Municipal=city;

those seeking reform of municipal governments came from within and outside of those governments. Cities were home to most of the settlement workers, club members, and professionals who pressed for changes. Some municipal reformers worked for home rulea system that gave cities a limited degree of self-rule.

Allowed cities to escape domination by state governments controlled by political machines or by business or rural interests

Municipal Reform Cities take over utilities Welfare Services Relief efforts

State Reforms
More power to the voters Reform in the workplace to maintain safety Government efforts to control working conditions met legal opposition.

Federal Reforms

Antitrust Activism, Railroad Regulation, Protecting Public Health, Environment

 Municipal

reformers opposed the influence of political bosses. http://educationportal.com/academ y/lesson/gildedage-politicspolitical-machinescivil-servicereform.html#lesson