Comparing Progressives and Populists

While both the Progressive and Populist movements sought reform, they had distinct characteristics and goals:

1. Demographics:

   • Populists were primarily rural and often poor
   • Progressives were typically middle to upper-middle class

2. Economic Views:

   • Populists advocated for government ownership of railroads and banks
   • Progressives viewed such ideas as socialist and irresponsible

3. Monetary Policy:

   • Populists supported inflationary money policies
   • Progressives considered this approach irresponsible

Despite these differences, many Populist programs were eventually adopted by Progressives, including:

• Railroad legislation (1903 & 1906)
• Income tax (1912)
• Direct election of Senators (1913)
• Initiative, referendum, and recall
• Postal savings banks (1916)

Highlight: Progressives were predominantly middle-class to lower-upper-class WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) who sought to restore America to an earlier period with less monopoly, increase government efficiency, and stem the tide of socialism.

Progressive social activists focused on:

• Eliminating child labor
• Improving working conditions for women and men
• Gaining female suffrage

Notable Progressive figures included:

• Jane Addams and Lillian Wald: Leaders of the Settlement House Movement
• Florence Kelley: Campaigned against child labor, female exploitation, and for consumer protection

Vocabulary: The Settlement House Movement was a social reform initiative that established community centers in poor urban areas to provide services to immigrants and the poor.

Progressive analysts in universities, such as Lester Ward, Richard Ely, Charles Beard, and John Dewey, believed society could be improved scientifically.

Progressive Movement Overview

The Progressive Movement emerged as a response to the problems of the Gilded Age, aiming to improve various aspects of American society. This period saw significant reforms in politics, economics, and social issues.

Definition: The Progressive Movement was a broad reform movement in the United States that reached its height in the early 20th century, seeking to address problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption.

Key aspects of the Progressive Movement included:

1. Anti-Socialism: Despite some similarities, Progressives generally opposed socialist ideas.

2. Political Reform: The movement targeted political machines and corruption.

Example: The introduction of the Australian ballot (secret ballot) made it harder for political machines to control votes.

3. Anti-Trust Efforts: Progressives worked to break up monopolies and regulate big business.

Highlight: The Federal Trade Commission Act and Clayton Antitrust Act were significant pieces of legislation aimed at curbing corporate power.

4. Labor Reform: Efforts were made to improve working conditions and restrict child labor.

5. Voting Reform: The 17th Amendment introduced direct voting for senators, while initiatives like referendum and recall elections gave citizens more power.

6. Conservation: Progressives advocated for the responsible use of natural resources.

These reforms significantly shaped American society and politics in the early 20th century, laying the groundwork for many modern institutions and practices.