2.2 The Progressive Era Study Guide
Learning Target 14: Analyze and evaluate the success of progressive reforms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in addressing problems associated with industrial capitalism, urbanization and political corruption.
Click on the image to complete a political cartoon analysis activity.
Industrial capitalism, urbanization and political corruption contributed to many of the problems in American society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Organized movements, such as the Farmers’ Alliances and the Populist Party were reactions to the effects of industrialization and created a reform agenda which contributed to the rise of Progressivism.
Journalists, called muckrakers, exposed political corruption, corporate and industrial practices, social injustice and life in urban America. Ida Tarbell wrote about corrupt business practices of the Standard Oil Company. In his book The Jungle, Upton Sinclair exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
Progressives introduced reforms to address the ills of industrial capitalism. Their efforts led to anti-trust law suits (e.g., Northern Securities Company), antitrust legislation (Clayton Antitrust Act), railroad regulation (Hepburn Act), and consumer protection legislation (e.g., Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act). Conservation reforms included the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service and the passage of the Newlands Act. The Federal Reserve Act was passed to control the nation’s money supply and regulate the banking system.
Large cities were also sites for progressive reform. Some city administrations introduced public ownership of utilities such as gas and electrical utilities. Public transit systems were established. Tax codes and zoning codes were updated and standards for housing and sanitation were instituted in several cities.
Progressives fought political corruption and introduced reforms to make the political process more democratic. These reforms included initiative, referendum, recall, secret ballot, new types of municipal government, civil service reform, and primary elections.
Other Progressive reforms included:
Journalists, called muckrakers, exposed political corruption, corporate and industrial practices, social injustice and life in urban America. Ida Tarbell wrote about corrupt business practices of the Standard Oil Company. In his book The Jungle, Upton Sinclair exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
Progressives introduced reforms to address the ills of industrial capitalism. Their efforts led to anti-trust law suits (e.g., Northern Securities Company), antitrust legislation (Clayton Antitrust Act), railroad regulation (Hepburn Act), and consumer protection legislation (e.g., Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act). Conservation reforms included the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service and the passage of the Newlands Act. The Federal Reserve Act was passed to control the nation’s money supply and regulate the banking system.
Large cities were also sites for progressive reform. Some city administrations introduced public ownership of utilities such as gas and electrical utilities. Public transit systems were established. Tax codes and zoning codes were updated and standards for housing and sanitation were instituted in several cities.
Progressives fought political corruption and introduced reforms to make the political process more democratic. These reforms included initiative, referendum, recall, secret ballot, new types of municipal government, civil service reform, and primary elections.
Other Progressive reforms included:
- 16th Amendment (power of Congress to levy an income tax);
- 17th Amendment (direct election of U.S. Senators);
- 18th Amendment (prohibition of alcoholic beverages); and
- 19th Amendment (women’s suffrage).
