What was one reason numerous social reform movements emerged in the late 1800s?

The Progressive Era

By Catherine A. Paul

The foundation of modern America was born during the progressive era (Chambers, 1980). Progressivism refers to the different responses to the economic and social evolutions that occurred as a result of America’s rapid urbanization and industrialization at the end of the 19th century. In the late 1800s, millions of Americans migrated west and into urban areas, and hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved to northern cities. Moreover, the United States experienced unprecedented levels of immigration at this time (George Washington University, n.d.).

Rapid advances in technology and industrialization took its toll on Americans. While urban areas benefited from electricity and running water, rural farmers struggled to maintain their farms as they battled increased competition, costly machinery, and falling prices. Thus, progressivism began as a social movement to cope with the various social needs of the time and ultimately evolved into a reform movement. Early progressives rejected Social Darwinism and believed that society’s problems, such as poverty, poor health, violence, greed, racism, and class warfare, could be best eradicated through better education, a safer environment, a more efficient workplace, and a more honest government. Progressives at this time were primarily college-educated urban dwellers who believed that the government could be used as a tool for change (George Washington University, n.d.).

There were many important players during the Progressive Era who worked to liven the consciousness of America to the social ills plaguing many vulnerable communities. Investigative journalists became prominent voices in raising public awareness of social ills. These journalists, such as Jacob Riis, were known as “muckrakers.” They highlighted the poor health conditions of the poor and exposed corruption, and their efforts helped to inspire reformist legislation at both state and national levels (Filip, 2015).

Likewise, many religious figures at this time sought to unify the sacred with the secular to demand expansive reforms for social change. These Social Gospelers worked with the laity on labor and living conditions and promoted the idea of a larger Christian community to combat the rising notion of individualism. Moreover, pragmatism became a popular way of educating and governing during the Progressive Era. Many scholars and academics emphasized the importance of applied knowledge. Notable Pragmatist, John Dewey, crafted significant pragmatic pedagogy and asserted that schools should be foundations for social change. Pragmatists notably did not just hope to garner government support for reform, but also sought to directly transform government through their influence (Filip, 2015).

Women, too, had prominent roles during this time. Many groups organized to push for gender equality, prison reform, the creation of public kindergartens, day care for children of working mothers, and facilities to support children in need. Moreover, women’s organizations helped to push for legislation for the right to vote, culminating in the 19th Amendment, as well as for the creation of mandatory health and safety measures in the workplace (Filip, 2015).

Individuals in professional and specialized roles, such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, and progressive businessmen demanded professionalization or systematic licensing for each of their respective jobs. These groups sought to discount fraud and denounce corruption and government ineffectiveness and inefficiency. Labor unions and workers’ associations began using strikes and boycotts to draw attention to their demands, especially regarding factory conditions. Some more radical groups, such as the “Wobblies” called for a new, uncompromising social order. Furthermore, industrialization and urbanization began booming at this time, ostracizing farmers from the political scene (Filip, 2015).

On a national level, progressivism garnered further support when Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901. He believed that, while strong corporations were good for America, they must be sufficiently monitored for corruption and greed (George Washington University, n.d.). Furthermore, many progressives were elected into Congress. Thus, federal programs, such as The Children’s Bureau, were established. Moreover, the Sheppard-Towner Act (1920), also known as the Promotion of the Welfare of Hygiene of Maternity and Infancy Act, was the first major federal healthcare program. The Sheppard-Towner Act was groundbreaking, too, for its public relations campaigns, educating Americans on the importance of improved healthcare and social conditions for women and children (Filip, 2015). 

The progressive era came to an end with World War I as the horrors of war exposed humanity’s potential for large-scale cruelty. Many Americans began to associate President Woodrow Wilson’s progressivism with the war (George Washington University, n.d.).

For Further Reading:

How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York by Jacob Riis

References:

Chambers, J. W. (1980). The Tyranny of change: America in the progressive era, 1900-1917. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.

Filip, V. (2015). Origins of American social policies: The progressive era. Universitatea Danubi Galati, 7(1), 67-84. Retrieved from http://journals.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/administratio/article/view/2973

George Washington University. (n.d.). The progressive era (1890-1920). The Eleanor Roosevelt papers project. Retrieved from https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/progressive-era.cfm

How to Cite this Article (APA Format): Paul, C. A. (2017). The Progressive Era. Social Welfare History Project. Retrieved from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/civil-war-reconstruction/progressive-era/

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