The Origins of Progressivism

Political, economic, and social change in late 19th century America leads to broad progressive reforms.

Chapter 9, Section 1

Four Goals of Progressivism• Reformers aim to restore economic

opportunity, correct injustice by:

• protecting social welfare• promoting moral improvement

• creating economic reform

• fostering efficiency

Protecting Social Welfare

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Four Goals of Progressivism

Continued . . .

• Florence Kelley, political activist, advocate for women, children, helped pass laws prohibiting child labor, limit hours for women

Promoting Moral Improvement

Prohibition—banning of alcoholic drinks (also called Temperance Movement)

Carry Nation

Four Goals of Progressivism

Creating Economic Reform

Muckrakers—journalists who expose corruption in politics, business

Fostering Efficiency• Scientific management—time

and motion studies applied to workplace

• Assembly lines speed up production, make people work like machines

- cause high worker turnover

Reforming Local & State GovernmentReform Mayors

Reform Governors

Galveston, TX:

Dayton, OH:

Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin:

Hurricane = 5 member commission, each expert takes charge of different city department.

Flood = City Council and City Manager

“Fighting Bob”Fought against big business. Railroad Industry

Did not mean to “Smash corporations, but to drive them out of politics & then to treat them exactly the same as other people are treated.”

The City of Blue Springs has a council-administrator form of government. The council is the governing body of the city elected by the public, and the administrator is hired by council to carry out the policies it establishes.

The City Administrator is responsible for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations, and personnel management.

The City is organized into departments, each managed by a professional, municipal Department Director who reports to the City Administrator, Deputy City Administrator of Development, or Assistant City Administrator of Finance and Administrative Services.

Blue Springs:

Reforming Working Conditions• National Child Labor Committee

• gathers evidence of harsh conditions

• Labor unions argue children’s wages lower all wages

• Groups press government to ban child labor, cut hours

Reforming Elections

• Initiative—bill proposed by people, not lawmakers, put on ballots• Referendum—voters, not legislature, decide if initiative becomes law• Recall—voters remove elected

official through early election

Direct Election of Senators• Seventeenth Amendment-permits popular election of senators– people vote!