Progress Everywhere

Progress in various areas including economy, politics, social life, industry, and environment sustainability.
Shift from Agriculture to Industry
Description
Women got voting rights
Description
Women's Suffrage
Ratification of 19th amendment to guarantee voting rights to women
Political elite vs. common man?
Description
Rise of Professionalism
State governments passed laws requiring licenses for doctors & lawyers.
Help for Immigrants
Settlement houses for immigrants called Hull houses run by college women. Adapt to the way and language of America.
Help for the Poor
Salvation army established in the US; it was a fusion of religion and reform.

Social Improvements

  • Widowed mother's pension system later became Social Security System
  • Children's bureau in Labor Department
    • Ending of Boss Rule
    Tom Johnson fought against party bosses and corporate interests.

    Political/Govt Improvements

    Description
    African American
    Du Bois worked for immediate improvement in social stature of African Americans.
    Race in Progresssivism
    Booker advocated self improvement for the African Americans. If they work under the radar and improve themselves, they will gain equality in due course.
    Race Reform
    NAACP challenged racism in the legal system by going to court as needed.
    Square Deal
    President Roosevelt advocated for fair deal using the media.
    Meat Industry Reform
    President Roosevelt gathered evidence on unhygienic conditions in meat industry through undercover agents and made them reform.

    Industrial Improvements

    Description
    Environment Conservation
    Restricted use of environmentally sensitive areas for industrial purpose; and added them to National Forest System.
    US Forest Service Creation
    Mr. Pinchot helped create US Forest Service and served as its first director. This agency promoted policies to protect to carefully manage the development.

    Environmental Reforms

    Description
    Children in Mining (Breaker Boys)
    Great mining strike 1902 was due to working conditions in mines. Roosevelt intervened and mediated:
  • Strikers got 10% wage increase and 9 hour day
  • However, miners didn't get recognition for their union.
    • Republican Party strenghtening
    Roosevelt, after leaving presidency, went on speaking tour to unite and strengthen the Republican Party.
    Tariff Rates
    Wanted to lower tariffs, but didn't make effort to get the support needed. Eventually, did result in Payne-Aldrich Tariff which didn't reduce tariffs much.
    New Freedom
    Monopoly was unjust and inefficient. We should not just regulate it, but destroy it. WW won a landslide victory.
    New Nationalism
    Roosevelt advocated for accepting economic concentration (monopolies) and using government to regulate and control it.

    Economic Improvements

    Description
    Exposing Corruption
    Muckrakers were aggressive journalists who exposed corruption in the government. Their first target was government sponsored trusts esp in railroads.
    Social Gospel
    Faith and "social gospel"
    Emphasis on Expertise
    Proposed that government power reside among highly trained engineers or professionals (as opposed career politicians??)
    Creation of New Middle Class
    Education led to improved opportunities and creation of middle class.
    Social Regression
    Description
    New Women
  • Progressive women, even though coudn't vote or hold office, nevertheless advocated for social reform, esp. child labor.
  • Club women helped with parks, hospitals, schools, libraries, movement against alcohol, etc.
  • Women started looking beyond home making.
  • Some women shunned marriage altogether and neglected families.
  • Boston Marriages: First lesbian marriages.
    • Assault on Parties
    Rise of Independent Republicans and other parties to reduce the influence of traditional Republican and Democratic parties.
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