The Progressive Era marked a period of social and political reform in the United States, driven by a coalition of middle-class citizens. Leaders like Jane Addams and Jacob Riis catalyzed change, advocating for better working conditions, consumer protection, and government intervention. The movement, while diverse, sought to use government power to improve societal welfare, culminating in reforms by Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson.
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Progressivism emerged as a significant movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by a diverse coalition of middle-class citizens concerned with issues such as industrialization, urbanization, and corruption
Better Working Conditions and Consumer Protection
Progressives advocated for government intervention to improve working conditions and protect consumers from exploitation
Mitigating Social Injustices
Progressives sought to use the power of government to address social injustices and promote the common welfare
The Progressive movement encompassed a range of ideologies and reform agendas, but all aimed to improve society through government action
Through his pioneering photojournalism, Riis exposed the dire conditions of urban tenements and prompted housing reforms
Addams established Hull House and advocated for immigrant and labor rights, pioneering social work
Debs, a labor activist, fought for workers' rights and became a prominent socialist figure after his experiences with the Pullman Strike
Washington promoted vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans, while Du Bois championed immediate civil rights and co-founded the NAACP
La Follette championed direct democracy measures and regulatory reforms to reduce corporate influence in politics
Roosevelt's Square Deal policies focused on conservation, consumer protection, and controlling corporations
Taft pursued antitrust litigation but was perceived as less aggressive in his reforms
Wilson's New Freedom platform included significant economic reforms, but his presidency was marred by regressive racial policies and opposition to civil rights progress
While Progressives were primarily concerned with the challenges faced by the urban poor, their focus often meant that the needs of rural populations and non-white minorities were overlooked
The movement's effectiveness was limited by its internal divisions and the prevailing racial and ethnic prejudices of the time
Women played a crucial role in the Progressive movement, championing a wide array of social reforms and fighting for suffrage
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The movement, though not cohesive, generally pushed for government action to enhance ______ welfare by promoting fair work conditions and ______ protection.
common
consumer
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Jacob Riis' role in housing reform
Exposed urban tenement conditions via photojournalism, leading to housing reforms.
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Significance of Hull House
Founded by Jane Addams, pioneered social work, supported immigrants and labor rights.
