The Rise of Progressivism
Chapter Twenty-One Main Themes

1.  The growth of progressivism as a reaction to the problems caused by the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the United States in the late nineteenth century.

2.  The nature of the progressive impulse, particularly the optimistic vision shared by all progressives that an active government and human intervention could solve problems and create an efficient, ordered society.

3.  The desire of progressives to reduce the influence of party machines on politics and foster instead rule by "experts."

4.  The crusade-like nature of many progressive movements, including prohibition, immigration-restriction, and women's suffrage movements.

A thorough study of Chapter Twenty-One should enable the student to understand:
·  The origins and complexities of the progressive impulse.
·  The progressive emphasis on scientific expertise, organizational reform, and professionalism.
·  The role of women and women's organizations in promoting reform, and vice versa.
·  The success and significance of the women's suffrage movement.
·  The desire of the progressives to limit the role of political party organizations, and the measures they advocated to accomplish this goal.
·  The prohibition movement and its relationship to other progressive reforms.
·  The origins of the NAACP and the importance of W. E. B. DuBois.
·  The movement to restrict immigration and its relationship with other avenues of "reform."
·  The alternate approaches to the problems of the trusts: socialism, regulation, or trust busting.
·  The historical debate concerning the origin and nature of progressivism.

Chapter Summary

Convinced that rapid industrialization and urbanization had created serious problems and disorder, Progressives shared an optimistic vision that organized private and government action could improve society. Progressivism sought to control monopoly, build social cohesion, and promote efficiency. Muckrakers exposed social ills that Social Gospel reformers, settlement house workers, and other Progressives attacked. Meanwhile, increasing standards of training and expertise were creating a new middle class of educated professionals including some women. The Progressives tried to rationalize politics by reducing the influence of political parties in municipal and state affairs. Many of the nation's problems could be solved, some Progressives believed, if alcohol were banned, immigration were restricted, and women were allowed to vote. Educated blacks teamed with sympathetic whites to form the NAACP and began the movement that eventually wiped away Jim Crow. Other Progressives stressed the need for fundamental economic transformation through socialism or through milder forms of antitrust action and regulation.

Internet Resources

For Internet quizzes, resources, references to additional books and films, and more, consult the text’s Online Learning Center at www.mhhe.com/brinkley12.

KEY Terms
Progressivism / Social Democracy / WCTU
Antimonopoly / City Manager Plan / 18th Amendment
Social cohesion / Initiative / Eugenics
muckrakers / Referendum / Nativism
Ida Tarbell / Recall / Socialism
Lincoln Steffens / Direct Primary / IWW
Social Gospel / Robert La Follette / Louis Brandeis
Salvation Army / Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire / Good Trusts and Bad trusts
Settlement House Movement / Booker T Washington / Eugene V Debs
Jane Addams / W E B DuBois
The New Woman / NAACP
Suffrage / Anti-lynching movement
19th amendment / Lynching
Secret ballot / Temperance Crusade