Progressive Causes (College Board AP® US History)

Summary

Between the 1890s and the 1920s, the United States experienced the Progressive Era, which began in response to the changes and challenges of the 19th century. This was a period of social, political, and economic reform. The rapid growth of industries created wealth for a few while leaving many in poverty. Political corruption was widespread, with the government often serving corporate interests over the needs of the public. Unregulated industries caused dangerous working conditions. Society faced issues such as alcohol abuse and racial segregation. During the Progressive Era, reformers sought to change social and political norms to create a better society for everyone and address the inequalities and challenges of industrialization. 

Progressive Causes & Leaders of the Progressive Movement

• The key issues of the Progressive movement included:

  • economic instability due to financial panics and inflation

  • exploitation of workers and labor-management disputes

  • political corruption in urban and state governments

  • industrial monopolies that stifled competition and innovation

  • campaigns for women’s suffrage and rights

  • Temperance movements targeting alcohol abuse

  • safety issues for workers due to unregulated industries

  • widespread racial inequality and violence, especially in the South under Jim Crow laws

Leaders of the Progressive Movement

• Progressive leadership came from various groups of society that recognized the need for reform:

  • middle-class citizens who were worried about the growing divide between the rich and the poor

  • church leaders who saw the progressive movement as a duty to society and a moral responsibility

  • journalists who used their writings to expose corruption, social injustices, and unsafe working conditions

  • Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were leaders who advocated for women’s voting rights and gender equality

• Key figures and organizations:

  • W.E.B. DuBois led the Niagara Movement

    • Called for the immediate end to segregation and social and political rights for African Americans

  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (1909)

    • Co-founded and led by W.E.B. DuBois

    • The organization  worked to legally challenge racial segregation and inequality 

• Reforms started at the community level in cities but would spread to state and national reforms and government involvement

Muckrakers, Progressive Presidents, & Electoral Reforms

Muckrakers

• During the Progressive Era, journalists known as “muckrakers” used their writing to:

  • uncover corruption

  • expose social injustices

  • spark public demand for reforms

• President Theodore Roosevelt called them “muckrakers” because they exposed “the dirt” in politics and industry

• The work of muckrakers often led to new laws and regulations

• Upton Sinclair

  • Wrote the novel The Jungle and exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meat-packing industry

  • Led to the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and the Meat Inspection Act (1906)

• Ida Tarbell

  • Investigative journalist who exposed the illegal, unethical, and corrupt practices of John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Company  

  • Highlighted the lynchings occurring in the South

  • Advocated for racial justice

• Jacob Riis

  • Used photography (How the Other Half Lives) to document poverty, disease, and unsanitary conditions in urban tenements

  • Shed light on the unsafe, unsanitary, and disease-ridden conditions of poor tenement dwellers 

• Joseph Lincoln Steffens

  • One of the first muckrakers

  • Exposed the corruption of city government in The Shame of the Cities

• Ray Stannard Baker

  • One of the first muckrakers

  • Wrote about the racial divide in American society in Following the Color Line

  • Highlighted the struggles of African Americans in the South

Progressive Presidents

• Progressive reform was driven by presidents who brought in policies to:

  • limit corporate power

  • protect consumers

  • conserve natural resources

• President Theodore Roosevelt (1901–09)

  • Roosevelt advocated for a Square Deal, focusing on the “3 Cs” and movement away from laissez-faire economics

    • Conservation of natural resources and protecting public lands (e.g. Antiquities Act,1906)

    •  Control of corporations through regulated railroads (e.g. Elkins Act, 1903) and the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) to break up monopolies

    • Consumer Protection by enforcing laws such as the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) 

• President William Howard Taft (1909–13)

  • Taft continued antitrust actions and emphasized Dollar Diplomacy

    • Which promoted economic interests overseas and international power by providing financial resources

• Woodrow Wilson (1913–21)

  • Wilson advocated “New Freedom” policies which:

    • regulated big business and banks to promote small businesses and limit monopolies

    • lowered tariffs to increase international trade 

    • increased competition for the good of consumers

    • favored small government over government-sponsored large-scale welfare programs

Electoral Reforms

• Progressives aimed to increase democracy and reduce corruption in elections

  • The secret ballot: ensured voters could cast votes without intimidation from corrupt politicians

  • The 17th Amendment (1913): allowed direct election of Senators 

    • Power was removed from corrupt state legislators and given to voters in state elections

  • The 18th Amendment (1919): eliminated the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, known as Prohibition

    • This was seen as a solution to the moral problem of alcoholism and supported for religious reasons

    • The 18th Amendment was supported by women’s groups like the Anti-Salon League and the American Temperance Society

  • The 19th Amendment (1920): granted women the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections

    • This was a major victory for women’s suffrage advocates

Legislative Reforms

• Progressives expanded citizens’ roles in the legislative process

  • Initiative: allowed voters to propose new laws

  • Referendum: gave citizens the power to vote on proposed legislation 

  • Recall: empowered citizens to remove elected officials before the end of their terms  

Reform Creating National Parks and Conservation

• Industrialization caused environmental degradation, prompting reformers to advocate for preservation and responsible land use

  • Forest Reserve Act (1891)

    • Was introduced by President Benjamin Harrison

    • This act allowed presidents to set aside land for recreation and preservation of natural landscapes, flora, and fauna

  • National Parks System (1901-09)   

    • Introduced by President Theodore Roosevelt, who used a series of legislation to produce America’s national parks 

  • Organic Act (1916)

    • Signed by President Woodrow Wilson

    • Formalized efforts to protect national parks for future generations