9.1 Origins and Goals of the Progressives

1. 9.1 Origins and Goals of the Progressives

2. Goals of Progressivism • The Progressives picked up where the Populists left off • Four Goals: • 1. Protecting Social Welfare: improving the lives of the less fortunate • Groups like the YMCA and Salvation Army tried to meet people’s basic needs (food, shelter, etc.)

3. Goals of Progressivism • 2. Promoting moral development: the big push was against alcohol • Groups like the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union highlighted “Christian” reasons for avoiding drinking.

4. Goals of Progressivism • 3. Economic Reform: a strong push to limit one’s ability to become mega-rich. • Ida Tarbell helped turn popular opinion against major companies like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil • People blamed big businesses for economic problems

5. Goals of Progressivism • 4. Fostering Efficiency: make the most amount of stuff with the least amount of time/resources • “Taylorism:” timing every little process in a factory to make small improvements. • Makes prices of goods cheaper, which means we can own more things

6. Local and State Govt. • In cities, they were takin’ down the “Bosses!” • Progressives wanted cities run by experts, not just anybody • “Fighting Bob” La Follette was a Progressive governor, attacking the railroads • Child-labor laws were passed at the state level

7. Local and State Govt. • Lawyer Louis Brandeis argued that people needed rest, employers should shorten work shifts • In Muller v. Oregon, Supreme Court agreed that workers needed the govt.’s protection from harsh working conditions