-
Ida Tarbell
In 1876 Tarbell entered Allegheny College as the only female student of a class of 40. After graduation she begun heer career as a writer. Ida Tarbell was the daughter of an independent oil producer. -
Inspiration for Reform
Progressive journalists helped spread the reform message. Popular magazines such as Munsey's and Everybody's published stories exploring corruption in politics and business as well as social problems such as slums and child labor. -
Muckrakers
In a 1906 speech Theodore Roosevelt described a man with muckrake eyes who "fixes his eyes... only on that which is vile and debasing". The vivid image stuck, and investigative journalists became known as muckrakers, because they "raked up" and exposed muck, or filth, of society. -
Moral Reform
Progressices wanted to clean up what they considered to be immoral behavior. They called for prohibition-a ban of the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alchoholic beverages- and the closing of the nations saloons. Reformers believed that prohibition would reduce crime and the breakup of families. -
National Urban Leaague
The National Urban League fought for racial equality. Founded in 1911 by concerned African Americans and White reformers. The league worked to improve job oppertunities and housing for urban African Americans. One of its goals was to help African American migrants from the south to adjust to their new lives in northern ciies. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
Progressives shought to improve workplace safety. A tragic event in 1911 highlighted the need for such reforms. On saturday March 25, some 500 employees were completeing their six day work week at New York Citys Triangle Shirtwaist Company. As they rose from their crowded work tables and started to leave a fire erupted in a rag bin. -
Prohibition
Congress proposed the eighteenth amendment , which banned the manufacture, sale, and distributionof intoxicating beverages. The states ratified it in 1919. however the amendment proved unpopular and dificult to enforce. It was repealed in 1933 -
Reforming City Life
For the first time in U.S. history, more than 50% of Americans lived in urban areas. As urban populations soared, cities struggled to provide garbage collection, safe and affordable housing, health care, police and fire protection, and adequate public education. "The challenge of the city," declared one progressive, "has become one of decent human existance.