The Progressive Era (1896–1917) was a period in the United States during the early 20th century of widespread social activism and political reform across the country that focused on defeating corruption, monopoly, waste, and inefficiency. The main themes ended during American involvement in World War I (1917–1918) while the waste and inefficiency elements continued into the 1920s.
Who are the Progressives?
- Those with a spirit of discontent with the status quo and an exciting sense of new social possibilities.
- This spirit was born within a growing urban middle class, especially amongst married “stay-at-home” woman seeking something greater than themselves.
- Populism was rural; progressivism was urban.
Key Amendments
- 16th Amendment - Income tax
- 17th Amendment - Direct election of senators
- 18th Amendment - Prohibition of alcohol
- Hull House resident
- Chief Factory Inspector 1893
- Outlawed child labor
- Limit working hours for women
- Helped establish NAACP
- Fought for equal funding of white/black schools
- More influenced by militant tactics of British suffragettes’
- Founded National Women’s Party to pressure Congress and President for constitutional amendment
- Birth-control options needed for health and economic reasons
- First birth-control clinic in the (1916)
- Founded “Planned Parenthood”
Jacob Riis Exposed living and working conditions of immigrant/lower classes.
Upton Sinclair Wrote the Jungle to expose meatpacking industry.
Ida Tarbell Exposed oil industry in series of articles to write History of the Standard Oil.
Ida B. Wells Former slave that exposed disentrancement of African Americans and lynching. She was a founder of NAACP.