Chapter 18 Sections 1, 2, 3, 4

How did Native Americans address questions of identity in the Progressive Era?

Native Americans addressed questions of identity in the Progressive Era by forming their own organizations. Prior to the 1910s, Native Americans had mostly participated in white-led organizations, however, by 1911, Natives created their own organization. This organization was the Society of American Indians worked for better education, civil rights, health care, and unity amongst Natives. It also emphasized racial pride.

How did politics become more oriented toward social issues in the Progressive Era?

Politics became more oriented toward social issues in the Progressive Era through lower voter turnout and reform associations. Voting in the North had dropped to below 60% and below 30% in the South, because Political Parties no longer had sway over politics, rather, social reformers did. For example, the American Bar Association, the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and the National Consumers League had a massive effect on politics as they divided the political parties.

How was Progressivism similar and different in the South and the West from other regions?

Progressivism was similar in the South and the West from other regions with the middle and urban class. For example, in both regions, this class had the same goals of business regulation, factory safety, pure foods, and drug legislation & moral reform. It was different through politics and race. For example, the South had more political reform primarily in North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, and had more issues with race (black discrimination), causing different races to advocate for different things. Whites crusaded against child labor, founded social service organizations, and challenged unfair wage rates; while blacks served in their communities by advocating for cleaner streets, better educations, and health reforms (whites liked this better).

How did the views and actions of the women's movement shift after 1910?

After 1910, the views and actions of the women's movement shifted from moving beyond the household through higher education and paid professions, to legal and voting rights. For example, after 1910, women formed organizations and worked collectively for factory inspection, regulation of children's and women's labor, improved housing, and consumer protection. Additionally, "the woman movement" (group of women reformers prior to 1910) spoke of duty and moral purity, while feminists (group of people who believed in feminism, which appeared after 1910) emphasized rights and self-development as key to economic and sexual independence. Feminists also supported birth control, unlike many earlier woman reformers. Lastly, suffragists appeared at this time and advocated for woman's suffrage.

How did reformers address concerns about matters of social and individual morality?

Reformers addressed concerns about matters of social and individual morality by setting limits, giving compensation, and prohibiting certain behaviors. For example, many states started to require factories to give compensation to victims of industrial accidents, set a minimum employment age (12-16), and limited the hours children could work. Furthermore, many reformers, on moral grounds, advocated for temperance (led states to implement laws restricting liquor consumption) and against prostitution (led the U.S. to pass the White Slave Traffic Act/Mann Act which prohibited interstate and international transportation of women for immoral purposes).

What reforms were made in institutions of education in the Progressive Era?

Reforms that were made in institutions of education in the Progressive Era were attendance, expansion, and organization. Prior to the Progressive Era, many children would only go to school for a few months when their parents did not need them for farming, however, by 1900, many people believed in more school attendance. This led to laws requiring children to attend school up to age 14 and an expansion of schools (500 in 1860 to 10,000 in 1912). Furthermore, colleges and universities started to expand the number of degrees and fields they offered.

What were the competing views among African Americans regarding assimilation to new environments?

Regarding assimilation to new environments, the competing views among African Americans were between Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois. Washington believed in self-help, this strategy urged African Americas to work hard, acquire property, and prove they were worthy of respect, instead of fighting for political rights. He also supported the "separate-but-equal" policy. On the other hand, Du Bois believed in civil rights and wanted blacks to agitate for what was rightfully theirs. Additionally, he advocated for the education of blacks and racial equality.

How did religion influence the reformist impulse of the Progressive Era?

Religion influenced the reformist impulse of the Progressive Era through the Social Gospel. The Social Gospel was made under the Christain belief that they could counter cutthroat capitalism by interjecting Christian churches into worldly matters. For example, they could improve the conditions of the poor and give service to others to secure individual salvation. Some would also try to "Americanize" immigrants and impose their beliefs on them.

How did scientific principles impact the fields of the law and social sciences?

Scientific principles impacted the fields of the law and social sciences by challenging traditional ideas. For example, some reformers believed that law should reflect society's needs which opposed the traditional practice of invoking inflexible legal precedents that obstructed social legislation. Additionally, some advocated for judges' opinions to be based on scientifically gathered information about social realities. Furthermore, in social science, scholars began to believe that theory should reflect prevailing social conditions, contrary to the belief that laws governing economic relations were timeless.

How did Social Darwinism influence societal views of immigrants and persons of color?

Social Darwinism influenced societal views of immigrants and persons of color through eugenics. Eugenics was a movement that applied Social Darwinist thought to society. For example, they believed human character and habits could be inherited; causing many to believe that had to stop the reproduction of those who were mentally deficient and criminally inclined (blacks and immigrants). One way they did this was through the restriction of immigration.

How did government become more active in society during the Progressive Era?

The government became more active in society during the Progressive Era through regulation and protection. For example, corporations pursued government intervention to aid and protect their enterprises; farmers sought it for the regulation of railroads and other monopolistic businesses, and city dwellers expected the government to act on their behalf as a result of the political machine's favors.

What role did the upper, middle, and working class play in the Progressive Era?

The role the upper class played in the Progressive Era was as business representatives. For example, some supported a bit of government regulation and political restructuring to protect their interest and wanted to run hospitals, schools, and local governments as businesses. While others worked for social justice and donated to organizations (Young Women's Christian Association). The middle class' role was as nation unifiers. This class wanted to end the abuse of power, protect the welfare of people, reform institutions, and promote social efficiency. For example, they "Americanized" immigrants and Natives, attacked adulterated foods, fraudulent insurance, prostitution, and political corruption, and advocated for nonpartisan elections. The working class' role was as worker advocates. For example, they promoted government intervention, shorter workdays, safe factories, better housing, and protection of women & children.

What steps were taken by reformers to make government more efficient?

To make government more efficient, reformers reclaimed government from politicians (those who soiled the democratic system), eliminated corruption, and implemented city-manager and commission forms of government. These changes allowed the government to be tied less to political affiliations/connections and more democratic. Additionally, some reformers, such as Rober M. La Follette, got voted into office and implemented direct primaries, more equitable taxes, and regulation of railroads. They also pushed for the 17th Amendment (allowed for the direct election of U.S. senators).