The Emergence of Modern AmericaThe Emergence of Modern America
The Progressive Era
Progressive Movement
Progressivism: lasted from mid-1890s through World War I
Progressivism was a set of attitudes as well as a definable movement
Reflected worry about the state of society and social issues
A spirit of hopefulness and confidence in human progress
Focus of the Progressive Movement
1. Political - aimed to return control of the government to the people
2. Economic - restore economic opportunities
3. Social - correct injustices in American life
4. Moral - Stressed individual morality and collective action
Progressivism Characteristics
1. Concern about the effects of industrialization and the conditions of industrial life
2. Fundamental optimism about human nature (investigate, educate and legislate)
Progressivism Characteristics
3. Willingness to intervene in people’s lives
4. Used government at all levels
5. Looked to change the environment
Muckrakers
Journalists who wrote about the corrupt side of business in mass circulation magazines
Ida TarbellJacob RiisUpton Sinclair
Ida Tarbell
attacked Standard OilOligopoly – the control
of commodity or service by a small number of large powerful companies
The History of Standard Oil
led to the outlawing of monopolies in the United States
Jacob Riis
Photo journalistBook “How the Other
Half Lives”Riis was successful in
awakening public awareness to the plight of New York's tenement
Jacob Riis
Upton Sinclair
“The Jungle” Revealed the despair
of immigrants working in Chicago’s stockyards and revealed the unsanitary conditions of the industry.
The Jungle
Turn to page 556 – read the excerpt form The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
A Modern Progressive PresidentA Modern Progressive President
Teddy Roosevelt - “Square Deal”Teddy Roosevelt - “Square Deal”◦ 1901-19091901-1909◦ Assertive, loud New York Governor – moved into VP Assertive, loud New York Governor – moved into VP
position by Political Machine to get him out of NYposition by Political Machine to get him out of NY Became president when McKinley assassinatedBecame president when McKinley assassinated
◦ Managed Natural ResourcesManaged Natural Resources National Park Systems & ReservesNational Park Systems & Reserves
◦ Supervised Big BusinessSupervised Big Business Passed Sherman Anti-Trust ActPassed Sherman Anti-Trust Act Battled MonopoliesBattled Monopolies Arbitration of StrikesArbitration of Strikes
◦ Protected ConsumersProtected Consumers Meat Inspection & Pure Food & Drug ActsMeat Inspection & Pure Food & Drug Acts
Progressive President #2Progressive President #2
William TaftWilliam Taft◦ 1909-19131909-1913◦ Attacked trustsAttacked trusts
Standard Oil & American Standard Oil & American TobaccoTobacco
◦ Expanded National ForestsExpanded National Forests◦ Supported Workplace Safety Supported Workplace Safety
LawsLaws◦ Established Children’s BureauEstablished Children’s Bureau
Progressive President #3Progressive President #3
Woodrow Wilson – “Wilson’s Woodrow Wilson – “Wilson’s New Freedom”New Freedom”◦ 1913-19211913-1921◦ Ran against Teddy Roosevelt w/ Ran against Teddy Roosevelt w/
Bull Moose PartyBull Moose Party◦ Supported by Party Bosses, but Supported by Party Bosses, but
attacked political corruption after attacked political corruption after electedelected
◦ ““New Freedom” reduced tariffs, New Freedom” reduced tariffs, reformed banks, regulated trusts, reformed banks, regulated trusts, protected workersprotected workers
Political Cartoons
The Gilded Age became known for both prosperity and social ills. The Progressive Era advocated a wide range of reforms.
Many “Muckrakers” created political cartoons to depict the issues of the time period.
Analyze 4 out of the 6 political cartoons using the Cartoon Analysis Guide
http://www.authentichistory.com/images/postcivilwar/cartoons/1900_jd_rockefeller_01.html
“The Octopus,” 1904
“The Bosses of the Senate,” 1890
“The Robber Barons of Today,” 1889
Your Turn
Create a political cartoon that focuses on one of the issues of the Progressive Era.
Look at Chapter 17 in your book for ideas.Your cartoon must be neat and it must be
colored.On the back of your cartoon write an
explanation of the meaning of your cartoon.
Be ready to share with the class.