HISTORY'S CURRENTS

DO YOU "RECALL" THE PROGRESSIVE ERA?

Most historians describe the Progressive Era as a period of American history that took place between roughly 1890 and 1920. It was a time during which a newly formed middle class of young professionals began to take aim at solving numerous societal ills arising from industrialization, immigration, and the growth of cities. Although many of the reforms proposed during the Progressive Era were well intended they also often proved controversial or shortsighted. This legacy is being played out today in the state of California with its' recall election law debacle.

Progressive reforms were in large part a response to the Industrial Revolution. Increased mechanization and productivity led to unemployment and labor unrest. People also became concerned with the waste of natural resources and abuses of corporate power that accompanied industrialization. A sharp increase in immigration caused cities to grow rapidly magnifying problems of poverty, disease, crime, and corruption. Widespread depression (1893-1897) persuaded many to believe that equal opportunity no longer existed for the masses.

During this time of crisis a new middle class of young urban professionals attempted to apply the principles of professions (medicine, law, business, education) to the problems of society. Believing strongly in progress and the ability of educated people to overcome problems these reformers joined and formed volunteer organizations to address issues (American Bar Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, etc). In addition to these young urban professionals, muckraking journalists attacked corruption and scandal while political reformers sought to challenge traditional party politics.

On the local level city government systems were changed to prevent "boss" or "machine" rule. City commissions replaced mayors and city councils in some parts of the country. Nonpolitical professional city managers were hired to run small cities. Jane Addams and others established group "settlement" houses in city slums to help poor urban residents.

At the state level reform efforts were led by Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin. Among the reforms emerging from the state level were the direct primary to give voters control over candidates, competitive civil service, restrictions on lobbying, and workmen's compensation laws. Other election reforms passed in some states to bring about direct democracy for voters were the initiative which allowed voters to initiate laws in their state assemblies, the referendum which allowed voters to pass initiatives into law, and the recall which allows voters by petition to force an official to stand for re-election at any time during their term of office.

At the national level major progressive programs were aimed at improving education (John Dewey), law, race relations (Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, NAACP), Womens Rights (Suffragists and the 19th Amendment), and child labor laws. Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were the leading presidents of the Progressive Era. Under the Square Deal Roosevelt was credited with ending a coal strike, attacking railroad monopolies, strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission, passing the Pure Food Drug Act, and adding the Departments of Labor and Commerce to the Cabinet. In addition, he added a total of 190 million acres to the national forests. Wilson's New Freedom program provided tariff reform, created the Federal Reserve System to reform currency and banking, restricted monopolies, and established the Federal Trade Commission to stop unfair business practices.

The Progressive movement had several weakness that compromised its' effectiveness. Many of the movements' goals were confusing and contradictory. Many initiatives failed or were struck down by the courts. Government remained mostly under the influence of industry. The material progress made by many Americans during this time weakened the resolve of reformers, as did the outbreak of World War I.

The major accomplishments of the Progressives were considerable. Trust busting forced industrialists to consider public opinion. New laws gave government the tools to protect consumers. The income tax increased revenues for social spending and the redistribution of wealth. The accomplishments of this period came as the result of a diverse group of reformers successfully challenging traditional institutions and their approaches to democratic problems.

History's Currents, or current history? You decide!

Reference:
Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources"
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