The Age of Progression

The Age of Progression

Period: Jan 1, 1890 to Dec 31, 1920

Florence Kelley

Dec 12, 1893

One of the woman who worked tirelessly for the labor cause, helping to persuade the Illinois legislature to prohibit child labor and limit the number of hours women could work. Her efforts caused several laws to pass in the interest of women, children, shorter hours, and safety. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Kelley

Samuel M. Jones

Dec 12, 1897

Successfully ran for mayor of Toledo. In the next 7 years, he overhauled the police force, improved municipal services, set a minimum wage for city workers, and opened kindergartens for children. Was one of the most successful city governement reformers in office. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_M._Jones

Robert La Follette

Dec 11, 1900

Governor of Wisconsin who insitituted reforms and became an energetic leader. Vigorously backed the "Wisconsin Idea" which became a model for other states. This increased taxes on railroads and public utilities, and regulated them in the public interest. Also passed laws to curb excessive lobbying and backed social legistlation. Continued to battle for reform until his death. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M._La_Follette,_Sr.

Ida Tarbell

Dec 12, 1900

Became a writer of a popular biographical series in McClur's. Published 18 articles on the Standard Oil Company attacking it's business practices. The readers shared in her anger of the corruption of the business and her articles were considered the "most spectacular succes of the muckraking school of journalism". http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/peopleevents/images/tarbellp4.jpg

John Dewey

Dec 12, 1900

Progressive philosopher who urged reformers to gather data about society's ills through observation and experimentation, and then test solutions. Through this proposal, progressives initiated many soical research projects with the help of universities. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3435315925_a92b09d7a8_o.gif

Corrupt Practices Reform - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Boss_Tweed,_Thomas_Nast.jpg/225px-Boss_Tweed,_Thomas_Nast.jpg

Dec 12, 1900

Roosevelt and other progressive reformers found corruption in all levels of government. From city machines demanding bribes, to state machines catering to special interests, and US senators accepting bribes to vote the way corporations wished. Reformers began to restore honest government by rectifying the election process and voting process. They supported the direct primary, direct election of US senators, the secret ballot, and the initiative, referendum, and recall.

Teddy Roosevelt

Dec 11, 1901

Addressed the problems that needed reform in his inaugural speech, stating that he was aware of the issues and prepared to fight them. Passed the "square deal" which sought to create a moral approach to many social problems. Tried to enforce existing anti-trust laws, and proposed control of big business. He also discussed the corruption in business and how he will reform corporations and reduce their power. http://pileusblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/teddy_roosevelt.jpg

Lincoln Steffens

Oct 5, 1902

Published "Tweed Days in St. Louis" which marked the beginning of the muckraking school of journalism. This compared the politcal machine in St. Louis and it's corrupt governement to the one led by Boss Tweed in New York. Their magazine went on to publish hundreds of articles on political and corporate corruption, working conditions, and slum life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Steffens

Jane Addams

Dec 5, 1902

Started the settlement-house movement by providing college-educated woman the opportunity to learn more about life from life itself. This sparked reform in child labor, health care, urban renewal, and publi education. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Addams

Business Reform - http://media.photobucket.com/image/monopoly/sticom/Squidoo/monopoly-large.jpg

Dec 12, 1903

Roosevelt sought to regulate large corporations, believing they played an important role but should do so responsibly. He sued monopolies and campaigned against the trusts that were deemed "bad" drawing the line against misconduct rather than wealth. He also promoted railroad regulation forgbidding rebates and setting railroad rates. In addition, many steps were taken to fight dangerous aspects of the food and drug industry. These included the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.

H.G. Wells

Dec 11, 1905

An English author who was an outspoken socialist. Wrote novels covering the low-middle class life as well women's suffrage. Sought a better way to organize society and wrote several Utopian novels. http://www.henrymakow.com/hgwells.jpg

Samuel Hopkins Adams

Dec 12, 1905

Journalist who exposed drug industry abuse and and charged that the drug companies' claims of curing almost everything all amounted to fraud. His journals helped to aware consumers of the dangers of these companies. http://i1.ebayimg.com/07/s/000/77/3d/053c_2.JPG

Upton Sinclair

Feb 28, 1906

Published "The Jungle" which vividly exposed the conditions of the meat packing industry and was part of the heath/safety reform. http://img.tfd.com/authors/sinclair.jpg

Charles E. Hughes

Dec 9, 1906

Became prominant as council of New york legislative committees investigating abuses in the life insurance and utilities industries. Served as governor of New York between 1907-1910 and pushed the passage of the Lessland Act which woud allow him to fire corrupt officials. Later delt with other forms of governmental reform. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Evans_Hughes

William Jennings Bryan

Dec 8, 1908

Ran for presidential election three times, and was known as "The Great Commoner" for his faith in righteousness of the common people. Was a supporter of the temperance movement, a leader of the silverite movement, and an opponent of banks and railroads. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jennings_Bryan

William Howard Taft

Dec 12, 1908

As president, his administration filled 90 antitrust suits and he passed the Mann-Elkins Act extending regulatory powers of the ICC to telephone and telegraph companies. He also advanved the cause of coservation, adding vast areas of forest reserves. He supported labor reforms and he was partially responsible for the adoption of the 16th amendment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard_Taft

Louis D. Brandeis

Dec 12, 1908

Boston lawyer hired by Florence Kelley to argue a case of upholding the 10-hour work day law she had pushed through. Made sound legal points, and included extensive evidence of the bad effects that long labor hours had on workers. His research not only convinced the Court to uphold the 10-hour work day law, but also became a model for the defense of other social legislation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Brandeis

Herbert Croly

Dec 12, 1909

As a progressive intellectual, he proposed solutions in his novel "The Promise of American Life" praising Alexander Hamilton's call for a strong activist central government. But he held that the governement should promote the welfare of all its citizens by expanding opportunities, offering social reform. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Croly

Woodrow Wilson

Dec 9, 1910

Elected governor of New Jersey and became the 28th president. He was the presidential choice of progressivism in the Democratic party as an outspoken reformer. He dealt with governmental reform, putting out a program suggesting the revival of small businesses allowing them freedom from big businesses and the government. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodrow_Wilson

Eugene Debs

Dec 11, 1910

American union leader and candidate for presidency of the Socialist party which supported worker control of the government and public ownership of all major industries. Played a large role in the founding of the American Railway Union, International Labor Union, and the Industrial Workers of the World. http://debsfoundation.org/images/personalhistory2.jpg

Labor Reform - http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/honor.gif

May 12, 1911

Men and women would labor long hours in dangerous, unhealthy conditions. They received little pay for the number of hours they worked and child labor was a debated issue. Progressives campaigned for laws that prohibited child labor and improved conditions/hours for women workers. They sought to raise wages and improve safety as well. Eventually, public outcry was so great that lawmakers were pressured into passing protective legislation.

16th Amendment

Dec 9, 1913

Authorizes a national tax based on individual income, which was long supported by progressives as a way to fairly fund government programs. http://charlesgoyette.com/uploaded_images/heavy-tax-burden-763990.jpg

17th Amendment

Dec 9, 1913

This was reform for the government, stating that the people of the state had direct election of their senators rather than state legislation. Moved the country more towards a republic. http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-IR675_17_CV_20100601103001.jpg

Alice Paul

Dec 12, 1913

Broke away from NAWSA and formed another ogranization called the National Woman's Party. This focused on passing an amendment to the Constitution guarenteeing women the right to vote. Was another social justice reformer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Paul

Carrie Chapman Catt

Dec 12, 1916

Highly skilled organizer of the NAWSA followed traditional political means to attain voting rights for women. She launched her "winning plan" which won a string of successes for state level suffrage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Chapman_Catt

18th Ammendment

Jan 16, 1919

Barred the manufacture, sale, and importation of alcoholic beverages. Effect of the temperance movement and urban moral reform. http://1stopbedwetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/alcohol-detoxing.jpg

Soical Justice Reform - http://www.humanrightsnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Equal-Rights.jpg

Dec 12, 1919

The first social justice reform was that of racial equality. Through magazines and publications, equal rights for African Americans became an idea to be accepted. Through courts as well, restrictions on voting and other civil rights were removed over time. The campaign for women's suffrage stemmed from the temperance movement. Traditional political means were were followed to attain voting rights, and with the 19th amendment, women won their long battle for social justice.

19th Amendment

Dec 11, 1920

Granted women the right to vote. Effect of the women's suffrage movement. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OcGkXQoV8HY/TGxVrjIL-wI/AAAAAAAABLI/2RfNsFDJx8A/s320/19thamend20.jpg

Hiram Johnson

Dec 12, 1920

Served as a United States Senator as well as governor of California. His sentiments regaurding World War I are what led the US to follow a partial isolationsim policy, withdrawing from world affairs in the 1920s and 30s. This made him a peace acitivist of this time period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Johnson

Public Service Reform - http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/Cities/Chicago/Landmarks/ChicagoSkyline1.jpg

Dec 12, 1920

This was the focus of progressives on improving housing, public health, and personal morality. Since more than 50 percent of Americans lived in cities, it was necessary that the cities be more healthful and livable for residents. Not only was it just to clean the city, but also improve living conditions and public education. Out of this came the city planning movement, which developed grand schemes for the layout of new cities, as well as changes in the old.