Chapter 4: The Progressive Era (1890–1920)
Summary
The Progressive Movement was started to fight for a variety of political, social, and religious problems. Journalists, also known as muckrakers, and fiction writers brought social problems to the public's attention. As Progressives gained support, they achieved reforms for the poor and children and improved the education system and working conditions for industrial workers. Progressives made changes to local governments and reformed election rules to give citizens more power. Progressive leaders were elected into offices in many states, making it easier for reforms to occur. During the Progressive Movement, many women took steps to gain reform for working conditions and family life. Racism was prevalent even among Progressives, and segregation became the norm in many areas of the country. African American leaders organized to gain reforms. Their efforts led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League. Jews, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Mexican Americans formed groups to help fight for their rights in the early 1900's.
Chapter Outline
Section 1: The Drive for Reform. Reformers called Progressives believed that the use of logic and reasoning could create a more efficient society and thus cure the problems caused by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration.
Section 2: Women Make Progress. Middle-class women grew tired of working in the background. They organized campaigns for temperance, birth control, working women, education, and especially the vote.
Section 3: The Struggle Against Discrimination. During the Progressive Era, minorities and immigrants organized themselves into groups like the NAACP, Urban League, and Anti-Defamation League to work against discrimination.
Section 4: Roosevelt's Square Deal. Theodore Roosevelt was an energetic president who used the power of his office to help the common person by trustbusting, supporting workers, managing natural resources, and passing consumer protection laws.
Section 5: Wilson's New Freedom. President Woodrow Wilson reformed the national banking system, passed anti-trust laws, and lowered tariffs. His New Freedom reforms put strict controls on big business while assisting small businesses and workers.
The Progressive Movement was started to fight for a variety of political, social, and religious problems. Journalists, also known as muckrakers, and fiction writers brought social problems to the public's attention. As Progressives gained support, they achieved reforms for the poor and children and improved the education system and working conditions for industrial workers. Progressives made changes to local governments and reformed election rules to give citizens more power. Progressive leaders were elected into offices in many states, making it easier for reforms to occur. During the Progressive Movement, many women took steps to gain reform for working conditions and family life. Racism was prevalent even among Progressives, and segregation became the norm in many areas of the country. African American leaders organized to gain reforms. Their efforts led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League. Jews, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Mexican Americans formed groups to help fight for their rights in the early 1900's.
Chapter Outline
Section 1: The Drive for Reform. Reformers called Progressives believed that the use of logic and reasoning could create a more efficient society and thus cure the problems caused by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration.
Section 2: Women Make Progress. Middle-class women grew tired of working in the background. They organized campaigns for temperance, birth control, working women, education, and especially the vote.
Section 3: The Struggle Against Discrimination. During the Progressive Era, minorities and immigrants organized themselves into groups like the NAACP, Urban League, and Anti-Defamation League to work against discrimination.
Section 4: Roosevelt's Square Deal. Theodore Roosevelt was an energetic president who used the power of his office to help the common person by trustbusting, supporting workers, managing natural resources, and passing consumer protection laws.
Section 5: Wilson's New Freedom. President Woodrow Wilson reformed the national banking system, passed anti-trust laws, and lowered tariffs. His New Freedom reforms put strict controls on big business while assisting small businesses and workers.