Progressivism

Question 1

What was Progressivism?

Answer 1

• No clear meaning
• movement concerned with the regulation of Big Businesses and reform
• recent view is interventionism

Question 2

What were the economic reasons Progressivism emerged?

Answer 2

• Recession in 1893
• 12% unemployment in 1890’s
• Falling living standards
• Small farms failing vs big agribusiness

Question 3

What were the social reasons Progressivism emerged?

(not the aims)

Answer 3

• Poor living conditions
• 6 day, 72-hour working week
• No welfare system

Question 4

What were the political reasons Progressivism emerged?

Answer 4

• Growing dissatisfaction with the 2 main parties
• Corruption

Question 5

What were the business reasons Progressivism emerged?

Answer 5

• Became so powerful could establish Monopolies & fixed prices without fear of competition
• Increasingly hostile to robber barons - put profits before interest of masses

Question 6

What were the media reasons Progressivism emerged?

Answer 6

• Increase in magazine & newspaper circulation
• Spreading views and opinions - e.g Mclure’s
• 1912, collier’s magazine = 1 mill copies per edition
• exposed the evils in American Society
• Upton Sinclair wrote a whole series in what became known as the Muckraking articles” - greatly influenced public opinion and accelerated reform

Question 7

How were fears of revolution a reason for Progressivism?

Answer 7

• Concern about the growth of socialism & radicalism + felt without reform there could be revolution
• Growing trade unions and violent strikes - e.g 1892 steelworkers strike in Pittsburgh

Question 8

What were the political aims of Progressivism?

Answer 8

• Changes to the Constitution (female suffrage and direct election of senators)
• Greater role for federal government in the economy and society (regulation of big business & intervention on the side of the workers)
• More open and democratic election of mayors and other public officials
• Changes to political parties as domnated by few wealthy businessmen (e.g an open primary election)

Question 9

What were the economic aims of Progressivism?

Answer 9

• Legislation for consumer protection (unadulterated food, no rigged prices or monopolies)
• Regulation of big business
• Legislation to recognise trade unions
• regulate working hours
• provide compensation for injury at work
• Insurance schemes for unemployed, elderly & sick

Question 10

What were the social aims of Progressivism?

Answer 10

• Female suffrage and emancipation
• Shocked by extent of poverty in the US wanted state funded welfare benefits
• Abolition of manufacture and sale of alcohol
• Improved living standards for African Americans