Populism+and+Progressivism

=﻿Populism and Progressivism= Catherine Phamduy

__1900 – 1940__ 17: Populism and Progressivism (Populism- included a broad coalition of many groups, yet appealed mostly to farmers who want more recognition in the nation. Progressivism- it was the idea of using the government to change and create reforms in the nation)

a) Agrarian discontent and political issues of the late nineteenth century Life as a farmer was lonely and isolate, which grew into anger because they felt left out of the nation and the rest of the people. Their anger turned into action as many farmer alliances formed. They had felt under-represented and wanted to change the government  Grangers- a group of farmers who wanted antimonopoly and reform so that they would not suffer anymore economical grievances.  Farmer's Alliances- they were also another group who wanted cooperation in the economy, instead of it being run by coorporations.  The populist party was another party whose ideas were mainly concerned about equal representation of all white poeple and lessen the power of the corporations.  the Populist party wanted to participated in the presidencial elections of the late 19th century, yet broke apart and merged in with the Democratic Party, losing much of thier goals and ideals.

b) Origins of Progressive reform: municipal, state, and national Progressive reform- CHANGE in poltics and society  Origins- it was becuase there were so many glaring injustices in society that people felt the need to innovate the nation to a more fair and just nation.  Municipal- (a a biulding of local importance, like a library or town hall) reformers would protest in important places like town biuldings. they protested for many things, such as women's equal rights and end to poverty.  State- not only were reforms local, they were happening all over hte states. the term initiative and referendum could be described as the innovation of changing state legislaters. this gave the people more voice to speak out and not be run by the government.  National- the progressive era turned national when there were national reforms. Women's votes were given and the temperance movement was able to abolish any form of alcholhol.

c) Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson as Progressive presidents Roosevelt- wanted to regulate corporate trusts. he allied himself with progressives, and his Square Deal had much progressive ideas such as the Hepburn Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.  Taft- hr tried to lower the Payne- Aldrich Tariff and supported the Children's Bureau.  Wilson- his New Freedom effectively lowered tax and he passed the Federal reserve Act, which had then controlled investments withiin the trusts of corporations and limited their power. He also passed the Child labor Laws.

d) Women's roles: family, workplace, education, politics, and reform Family- they were still subordinates of men and were looked down upon, however, they had the voice to speak out, ginving them a better status in the family.  Workplace- more and more women were going into the work area, especially when WW1 and WW2 started, when the men had to go to war. the women were left with applying for jobs to support their families.  Education- women were gaining more status in the professional area because more and more schools and univerities were accepting women.  Politics- women were able to gain the right to vote, yet that did not do much since so many other women were against the women's reform. they had also been able to prohibit the sale and making of alchohol, a huge victory for women who have abusive husbands, some, like Frances Perkins, was able to hold an office in the government.  Reform- Prohibition of alcohol, women's rights to vote, and gaining more recognition and staus within the nation.

e) Black America: urban migration and civil rights initiatives During WWI, African Americans joined the war to gain more status, yet their efforts were futile because America was rigidly segregated.  during the Great Depression, many blacks had to face jobless futures since the whites had taken their places. many moved to the north because they faced so much discrimination in the south and could virtually find no jobs. this migration was called the Great migration.  Blacks could not gain much attention from the 1900-1940, yet they were able to attack the borders of racism and make a statement that racism and segregation was a problem.

Alan Brinkley's "A Survey American History"