Week 8: The progressive era Flashcards
1
Q
Urbanisation
A
- New York became the most important city in the US
- Grew rapidly in the 2nd half of the 19th century as a result of immigration
- Housing conditions in New York soon became a scandal
2
Q
Corruption
A
- Age of the political machines
- offered assistance and protection in return for votes, mostly in urban neighbourhoods
- these neighbourhoods were controlled by so-called bosses
- newly arrived immigrants played an essentiel part in this scheme
- William Tweed quicly became one of the leading, and most corrupt, politicians in New York City
–> directed local services, controlled elections and received millions of dollars in bribes - Spoils system
3
Q
What is spoils system?
A
Giving powerful positions to those who have supported your successful election
4
Q
Working conditions
A
- industries unregulated: companies did not feel responsible for the wellbeing of their workers
- many workers worked in terrible conditions
- absence of health and safety regulation
- labour unions encouraged workers to go on strike
- strikes often turned violent: military was sent in to squash them
5
Q
Haymarket Square Riot
A
- 1886
- one of the key events in the 8-hour movement
- peaceful workers’ protest in Chicago which, after a bomb was thrown, resulted in the arrest trial and conviction of 8 anarchists
- their responsability in the bombing was never proved
6
Q
Emma Goldman
A
- 1869-1940
- Russian intellectual and anarchist
- emigrated to the US in 1885
- one of the leading voices of early feminism and anarchism
- bitterly criticized the sentencing of the 8 anarchists in the Haymarket Square Riot as government repression of the 8-hour movement and by protesting workers generally
7
Q
As what did the convicted anarchists became known? What did it make it seem?
A
- the “Haymarket martyrs”
- made it seem that many immigrants were now violent revolutionaries, intent on stirring up class conflict and destroying the American political and social system
8
Q
Dates of Progressive Era
A
1890-1920
9
Q
What is Progressive Era? What are its guiding principles?
A
- US was struggling with the effect of rapid industrialization and urbanisation that occurred in 2nd half of 19th century
- Emergence of a new powerful middle class, mainly the cities (doctors, lawyers, professors, journalists, etc.): wanted to reform American politics
- several groundbreaking progressive reforms
- guiding principles: morality and efficiency
10
Q
Government and Political reforms
A
- problem of corruption at municipal level: elected officials gave government jobs to people who had helped get them elected (those people were often not qualified)
- Pendleton Act
- Sherman Antitrust Act
- Political Reforms: gave people more direct power:
- referendums
- direct elections of senators (17th amendment, 1913)
- secret ballot to avoid intimidation
11
Q
Pendleton Act
A
- 1883
- people needed to be qualified to serve the civil service: limited the power of political machines and ‘bosses’
12
Q
Sherman Antitrust Act
A
- 1890
- to prevent monopolies and foster competitiveness
13
Q
Muckrakers
A
- emergence of powerful newspapers
- term ‘muckraker’ designed progressive journalists, who exposed social and political problems:
- bad working conditions in factories
- bad living conditions in urban slums
- corruption in government
- trusts and monopolies - ‘muck’ = ‘dirt’ –> ‘rake the muck’ = ‘dig up the dirt’
- Today, might be called “investigative journalism”
- had significant influence on public opinion, political practice and new legislation
14
Q
Upton Sinclair
A
- famous author
- muckraker
15
Q
Meat Inspection Act
A
- 1906
- prompted by Upton Sinclair’s description of :
- miserable working conditions
- low hygienic standards in Chicago meat factories - federal inspectors now able to check on sanitary conditions in factories
–> helped the consumers and not the workers
