Progressivism Problems caused by Industrialization and Immigration and America’s Solutions
Progressivism Defined: Large movement in society from the
mid 1890s-WWI. Progressivism reflected worry about
the state of society due to the effects of industrialization and urbanization social disorder, political corruption, and a host
of other issues.
What are the issues? Activity
Government Corruption Political Machines- Political
bosses showing favoritism in return for votes Ex: Boss Tweed
Business leaders having monopolies and trusts- one company controlling market Ex: JD Rockefeller, Andrew
Carnegie
How Did America Discover Problems? Muckrakers:
Theodore Roosevelt coined the unflattering term in 1906 to describe the practice of exposing the corruption of public figures.
Examples of articles are:Ida Tarbell’s scathing “History of the Standard Oil
Company”
Lincoln Steffen’s “The Shame of Minneapolis”
Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”
Lincoln Steffen’s “Tweed’s days in St. Louis “
Economic Issues Unequal
distribution of wealth- huge difference between the rich and the poor Large gap between rich
and poor
Business practices- Increase production
Social Issues Child labor Women’s Rights Workplace
conditions Moral decision
making High crime rate Excessive drinking to
mask “tough times”
Environment and Living Conditions Pollution in society
Air pollution, trash, harmful land usage
Poor food and water quality No government
regulations
Living conditions in the slums Tenement housing Fires
Overcrowding in cities
How Will the Progressives Respond?