progressive era literature
However he strongly opposed Wilson's foreign policy, and mobilized the large German and Scandinavian elements which demanded neutrality in the World War I. The weakened economy and persistent federal deficits led to changes in fiscal policy, including the imposition of federal income taxes on businesses and individuals and the creation of the Federal Reserve System. The book was published as a series of articles in McClure's Magazine from 1902 to 1904. [124], President Taft signed the March 4, 1913, bill (the last day of his presidency), establishing the Department of Labor as a Cabinet-level department, replacing the previous Department of Commerce and Labor. Both opposed corruption and trusts. "The National Progressive Republican League and the Elusive Quest for Progressive Unity.". ", John D. Buenker, "An American kulturkampf: The birth pangs of cultural pluralism. Jail time?)? "Progressive" during the Progressive Era means both progress in passing a great amount of economic, political, social, and environmental reforms, as well as the advancement of people's thoughts with "muckraking" and more liberal ideas towards workers and women. But often the assimilation of machine values was not so covert. ", Ira M. Wasserman, "Prohibition and ethnocultural conflict: The Missouri prohibition referendum of 1918.". [88] Other Wisconsin Idea scholars at the university generated the plan that became the New Deal's Social Security Act of 1935, with Wisconsin expert Arthur J. Altmeyer playing the key role. The Progressive Era is considered as the combination and interaction of a variety of different ideas and activities that emerged during the years of 1890 and 1920 as a consequence for needed new reforms by pressure groups in responding to various social, political, and economic To prevent Democratic factionalism the Southern states turned to primaries, with the proviso that candidates who competed in the primaries and lost could not run as independents in the fall election. Such scientific management applied to the domestic sphere was presented as a solution to the dilemma and the black middle-class women faced in terms of searching for meaning and fulfillment in their role of housekeeping. This affected both the government and the public reformers. As membership grew it worked with other private organizations to petition the state legislature, which was not responsive. [74], There were legal efforts to curtail the oil monopoly in the Midwest and South. In the black community, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, built the Palmer Memorial Institute to educate the black leadership class, Brown worked with Booker T. Washington (in his role with the National Negro Business League), who provided ideas and access to Northern philanthropy.[104]. "[263] Some social historians have posited that the KKK may in fact fit into the Progressive agenda, if Klansmen are portrayed as "ordinary white Protestants" primarily interested in purification of the system, which had long been a core Progressive goal. Progressives argued these needs deserved a higher priority. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2012). The face of the Progressive Education Movement in America was John Dewey, a professor at the University of Chicago (18961904) who advocated for schools to incorporate everyday skills instead of only teaching academic content. "Organized Crime: Challenge to the American." Why is this era called the Progressive Era? Since poverty, mental illness, and different racial and ethnic backgrounds were considered biologically undesirable traits, the process of sterilization was used as an unethical means to "cleanse" humanity of biological weaknesses. The Socialists, with a strong German and union base in Milwaukee, joined the progressives in statewide politics. New York State took the lead in 1898, and by 1916 the old system had been discarded in every area. Progressives drew support from the middle class, and supporters included many lawyers, teachers, physicians, ministers, and business people.[13]. A 1907 report to Secretary of War Taft provided a summary of what the American civil administration had achieved. Roosevelt gave these journalists their nickname when he complained they were not being helpful by raking up too much muck. The five recent works discussed here all define their territory as the Progressive Era, which means that they share an interest in understanding the period's middle- and working-class reform politics rather than its notoriously overconsuming elite or the fringe radicalism of anarchistic plots, free love, and so on. Edwards, "Putting Hoover on the Map: Was the 31st President a Progressive" p 60. Finally, in 1920, Iowa got woman suffrage with the rest of the country by the 19th amendment to the federal Constitution. There was a concern towards working class children being taken out of school to be put straight to work. He challenged Taft for the Republican presidential nomination in the 1912 presidential election, but his candidacy was overshadowed by Theodore Roosevelt. Google map location Syracuse, New York 13244-5290 ; 315.443.5534; f: 315.443.5545; supress@syr.edu This book offers a one-stop reference work covering the Gilded Age and Progressive Era that serves teachers and their students.This book helps students to better understand key pieces in literature from the Gilded Age and Progressive Era by putting them in the context of history, society, and culture through historical context essays, literary analysis, chronologies, documents, and suggestions . This new form of art was accurately named Realism. Are there still more robbers barons today, Yes. The most important Republican was Jonathan Bourne Jr. (senator 19071913 and national leader of progressive causes 19111912). The traditionalists said many of their reforms were unnecessary and not worth the trouble of implementing. The system continues strong into the 21st century. In 1911, California governor Hiram Johnson established the Oregon System of "Initiative, Referendum, and Recall" in his state, viewing them as good influences for citizen participation against the historic influence of large corporations on state lawmakers. Fun With History. Direct link to 20runyona's post Muckrakers were needed in, Posted 5 years ago. in Christopher M. Nichols and Nancy C. Unger, eds. The main advocates of progressivism were often middle-class social reformers. [36], Robert M. La Follette, and his family, were the dominant forces of progressivism in Wisconsin from the late 1890s to the early 1940s. State leaders included Governor Charles B. Aycock, who led both the educational and the white supremacy crusades; diplomat Walter Hines Page; and educator Charles Duncan McIver. [150], The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified in 1913, requiring that all senators be elected by the people (they were formerly appointed by state legislatures). Progressives believed that by having a safe environment and a good workplace that the problems in society could effectively be handled. These two assumptions were not shared by political conservatives, who tended to believe that human nature was unchanging, and that the federal government should remain limited in size and scope. While these western Republicans could stir up issues, they could rarely forge a majority, since they were too individualistic and did not form a unified caucus. [157], The Northeast was laggard in adopting the direct primary, with Connecticut and Rhode Island the last states to sign up. [56], Upton Sinclair was an American writer who wrote nearly 100 books and other works in several genres. [156], In New Jersey, on the other hand, the party leaders introduced the primary in every county by 1902. Certain wealthy men of this stamp, whose conduct should be abhorrent to every man of ordinarily decent conscience, and who commit the hideous wrong of teaching our young men that phenomenal business success must ordinarily be based on dishonesty, have during the last few months made it apparent that they have banded together to work for a reaction. We still today depend on that to be able to buy groceries that are safe to eat, and to buy pharmaceuticals that won't have terrible side effects. 1920 Congress passes the Nineteenth Amendment, giving all women citizens the right to vote in U.S. elections. Literature and the early 20th century The Progressive Era The Progressive Era The Progressive Era Summary The Progressive Era in the United States occurred during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The direct primary made it possible to mobilize voters against the previously dominant political machines. In the early 20th century most states adopted the system for local and state racesbut only 14 used it for delegates to the national presidential nominating conventions. The rapidly increasing speed of automobiles, and especially trucks, made maintenance and repair a high priority. During prohibition, the mafia was able to grow their stronghold on illegal activities throughout the United States. [110][111], Women put women's suffrage on the state agenda. "Special message to Congress, January 31, 1908," in Elting E. Morison, ed., Ira M. Wasserman, "Status politics and economic class interests: The 1918 prohibition referendum in California. John Milton Cooper, The Pivotal Decades, 1900-1920. Morton Keller, Regulating a New Economy. More generally the Social Gospel impulse was base on righteousness, typified by the wide influence of theologian Walter Rauschenbusch. The Progressive Era (18961917) was a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States focused on defeating corruption, monopoly, waste and inefficiency. They worked to limit child labor in the textile mills, and supported public health campaigns to eradicate hookworm and other debilitating diseases. Who decided who would be sterilized? [200], Foreign policy in the progressive era was often marked by a tone of moral supremacy. organizations that hoped to protect women and children from exploitation. They remained staunch isolationists deeply opposed to any involvement in Europe. This was done through the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. "Albert Baird Cummins and the progressive movement in Iowa" . Jensen, Richard. [186], Roosevelt's Antitrust record over eight years included 18 civil cases and 26 criminal antitrust cases resulting in 22 convictions and 22 acquittals. To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser. La Follette's refusal to support Roosevelt, and especially his suicidal ranting speech before media leaders in February 1912, alienated many progressives. "The SheppardTowner act: Progressivism in the 1920s. ", Huthmacher, J. Joseph. The Eighteenth Amendment was repealed in 1933, with the passage of the Twenty-First Amendment, thanks to a well-organized repeal campaign led by Catholics (who stressed personal liberty) and businessmen (who stressed the lost tax revenue). The banking system was transformed with the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913. [184], By the start of the 20th century, a middle class had developed that was weary of both the business elite and the radical political movements of farmers and laborers in the Midwest and West. [26][27], The number of rich families climbed exponentially, from 100 or so millionaires in the 1870s to 4000 in 1892 and 16,000 in 1916. Joe Locke, "Making the Bible Belt: Preachers, Prohibition, and the Politicization of Southern Religion, 18771918" (PhD dissertation, Rice University, 2012). American life. Accessed February 11, 2019. Hope that I helped. [112], Disturbed by the waste, inefficiency, stubbornness, corruption, and injustices of the Gilded Age, the Progressives were committed to changing and reforming every aspect of the state, society and economy. He appealed to the businessman with the gospel of efficiency in municipal affairs, run by non-partisan experts like himself. "Review of Jones, Marian Moser, Paul R. Amato, and Shelley Irving, "Historical trends in divorce in the United States." The idea of sterilization was based in part on a misunderstanding of Darwinism and natural selection. Eventually 52 Kansas cities used the system. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [137], Rural blacks were heavily involved in environmental issues, in which they developed their own traditions and priorities. A higher level of education also gained popularity. What is the role of a truant officer. The Progressive movement split into hostile factions. [142][143][144] As white Progressives sought to help the white working class, clean up politics, and improve the cities, the country instated the system of racial segregation known as Jim Crow. He failed to win the nomination for governor in 1896 and 1898 before winning the 1900 gubernatorial election. John Thomas, Alternative America: Henry George, Edward Bellamy, Henry . Women's. [138][139] George Washington Carver (18601943) was a leader in promoting environmentalism, and was well known for his research projects, particularly those involving agriculture. He broke decisively with the state Republican leadership, and took control of the party by 1900, all the time quarreling endlessly with ex-allies.[81]. His liberal goals were part of his commitment to American republicanism. You could argue both sides. [114], When candidates for office were selected by the party caucus (meetings open to the public) or by statewide party conventions of elected delegates, the public lost a major opportunity to shape policy. Progressive scholars, based at the emerging research universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin, and California, worked to modernize their disciplines. He was elected to a full term in 1904 and continued to promote progressive policies, some of which were passed in Congress. There were 2.4million miles of rural dirt rural roads in 1914; 100,000 miles had been improved with grading and gravel, and 3000 miles were given high quality surfacing. He managed to convince lawmakers on the issues of money and banking by the creation in 1913 of the Federal Reserve System, a complex businessgovernment partnership that to this day dominates the financial world. The number of schools in the nation increased dramatically, as did the need for a better more-rounded education system. It promoted expansion of the university through the UW-Extension system to reach all the state's farming communities. The middle class lived in leafy neighborhoods in the city and took the trolley to work in downtown offices. Outside of government, Jane Addams, Grace Abbott, Edith Abbott, and Sophonisba Breckinridge were influential reformers. ", Theresa Ventura, "From Small Farms to Progressive Plantations: The Trajectory of Land Reform in the American Colonial Philippines, 19001916. Why were muckrakers needed in American society? Jack B. Rogers and Robert E. Blade, "The Great Ends of the Church: Two Perspectives". During World War I, the Progressives strongly promoted Americanization programs, designed to modernize the recent immigrants and turn them into model American citizens, while diminishing loyalties to the old country. The 1906 federal Pure Food and Drug Act, which was pushed by drug companies and providers of medical services, removed from the market patent medicines that had never been scientifically tested. Taft's attorney general George W. Wickersham personally supervised the most important cases against Standard Oil and American Tobacco. Wilson used a similar moralistic tone when dealing with Mexico. "Business Disunity and the Progressive Movement, 19011914,". [102] The South was targeted in the 1920s and 1930s by the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which contributed matching funds to local communities for the construction of thousands of schools for African Americans in rural areas throughout the South. It was elitist, and emphasized education and expertise. The most prominent organizations were the La Proteccin de la Infancia, and the National Federation of Women's Clubs.[207]. In 1913, Congress passed the WebbKenyon Act, which forbade the transport of liquor into dry states. The federal government responded to Sinclair's book and the NeillReynolds Report with the new regulatory Food and Drug Administration. The social structure in rural Philippines was highly traditional and highly unequal. Taft defeated Roosevelt for the 1912 Republican nomination and Roosevelt set up an entirely new Progressive Party. [161] Many cities set up municipal reference bureaus to study the budgets and administrative structures of local governments. [75][76] The new framework after 1914 had little or no impact on the direction and magnitude of merger activity. William B. Wilson was appointed as the first Secretary of Labor on March 5, 1913, by President Wilson. [229] In 1907, Georgia and Alabama were the first states to go dry followed by Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee in the following years. [192] In combination with the racist attitudes of the time, there was a fear that large numbers of unskilled, low-paid workers would defeat the union's efforts to raise wages through collective bargaining. The movement's attempts at introducing urban reforms to rural America often met resistance from traditionalists who saw the country-lifers as aggressive modernizers who were condescending and out of touch with rural life. Sinclair's work was well known and popular in the first half of the 20th century, and he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1943. Rural residents also disagreed with the notion that farms needed to improve their efficiency, as they saw this goal as serving urban interests more than rural ones. [52] He was the first to demonstrate the practicality and profitability of managing forests for continuous cropping. The main themes ended during American involvement in World War I (1917-1918) while the waste and efficiency elements continued into the 1920s. Certain key groups of thinkers, writers, and activists played key roles in creating or building the movements and ideas that came to define the shape of the Progressive Era. [149] These Progressive reforms were soon replicated in other states, including Idaho, Washington, and Wisconsin, and today roughly half of U.S. states have initiative, referendum and recall provisions in their state constitutions. The Wilson administration, for instance, despite its embrace of modernity and progress, pursued a racial agenda that culminated in the segregation of the federal government. ", Collin, Richard H. "Symbiosis versus Hegemony: New Directions in the Foreign Relations Historiography of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Some was based on personalitiesespecially La Follette's style of violent personal attacks against other Progressives, and some was based on who should pay, with the division between farmers (who paid property taxes) and the urban element (which paid income taxes). The purpose of eugenics was to eliminate "undesirable" attributes from the human race. Have you heard about the recent college admissions scandal (. [259], The politics of the 1920s was unfriendly toward the labor unions and liberal crusaders against business, so many if not most historians who emphasize those themes write off the decade. It was radically egalitarian in favor of the disadvantaged classes. Richard Jensen and Mark Friedberger, "Education and Social Structure: An Historical Study of Iowa, 18701930" (Chicago: Newberry Library, 1976, Ballard Campbell, "Economic Causes of Progressivism,", Vincent W. Howard, "Woodrow Wilson, The Press, and Presidential Leadership: Another Look at the Passage of the Underwood Tariff, 1913,", James C German Jr "The Taft administration and the Sherman Antitrust Act,", George W. Wickersham, "Recent Interpretation of the Sherman Act.". Relying on their own investigative journalism, muckrakers often worked to expose social ills and corporate and political corruption. "Changing interpretations of Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive era." Constitution. On the one hand, Roosevelt was acting to sabotage Taft's campaign promises. Nevertheless statewide progressive movements were organized by Democrats in every Southern state. During the 1880s, referendums were held at the state level to enact prohibition amendments. [30] Several major foundations aided the blacks in the South and were typically advised by Booker T. Washington. [fact or opinion? From hounding and driving prosperous businessman to beggery and suicide, to holding up and plundering widows and orphans, the little dealer in the country and the crippled peddler on the highwayall this is entered into the exploits of this organized gang of commercial bandits. And I wonder how an act like that was passed even know people in powerful positions at that time were mostly white males. Labor unions, especially the American Federation of Labor (AFL), grew rapidly in the early 20th century, and had a Progressive agenda as well. Some of the most famous Progressive reformers were, Progressive reformers successfully influenced the passage of much substantive legislation, including several amendments to the US Constitution. Muckrakers were journalists who encouraged readers to demand more regulation of business. He called for government ownership of railroads and electric utilities, cheap credit for farmers, stronger laws to help labor unions, and protections for civil liberties. Jim Crow and disenfranchisement of Black voters was even higher on the agenda. Inspiration for the initiative movement was based on the Swiss experience. Wickersham to Taft August 23, 1912 in Record, p 179. When the city council balked at his proposals, he threatened to move the National Cash Register factories to another city, and they fell in line. Philanthropic Reformers and Business Reformers in the Progressive Era,". The pace was set in Detroit, Michigan, where Republican mayor Hazen S. Pingree first put together the reform coalition as mayor 18891897. ", Dewey W. Grantham, "Southern congressional leaders and the new freedom, 19131917. Kansas was a leader, where it was promoted in the press, led by Henry J. Allen of the Wichita Beacon, and pushed through by Governor Arthur Capper. State Executive Committee. [256], Much less settled is the question of when the era ended. While the progressive movement pushed us forward from a agrarian society to an industrial society and paved the way for greater technology and achievements it also paved the way for eugenics. [4] Both of them invited Syed Fakhruddin Balley (known as Balley Alig)to join. [38] Starting as a loyal organizational Republican, he broke with the bosses in the late 1890s, built up a network of local organizers loyal to him, and fought for control of the state Republican Party, with mixed success.
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