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Written Exercise #2
The Progressives were a group of individuals dedicated to reforming the United States during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. During this era, an extremely limited group of individuals owned a
majority of the wealth in America (Discussion Board 10/11). Unfortunately, the remainder of the
population was subject to low wages, long working hours, dangerous industrial equipment, and
unscrupulous employers (Discussion Board 9). As their primary goal, the Progressives fought to remedy
the changes brought about by the growth of American industry. In the words of historian Howard Zinn,
the Progressives worked to “stabilize the capitalist system by repairing its worst defects. 2and restore
some measure of class peace in a time of increasingly bitter clashes between capital and labor” (Zinn
354). While the Progressives strove to restructure the United States, they were largely unable to make
significant changes and ameliorate the struggles of the working class.
The Progressives “offered an impressive array of reform proposals” because the American social
structure was in dire need of rearrangement. As mentioned above, the distribution of wealth was
heavily concentrated amongst the richest captains of industry, while the remainder of the population
struggled to get by. In addition, worker compensation was unreasonably insufficient. Laborers worked
all day for “wages that barely kept their families alive” (Zinn 257). Meanwhile, employers received
generous salaries and enjoyed comfortable lifestyles. In addition to salaries, the workday was expanded
beyond reasonable hours. Zinn writes: 3“The youngsters together with the men and women toiled from
seventy and eighty hours a week! Saturdays and Sundays included!” (Zinn 325). The average American
works anywhere from 40 to 60 hours a week, but in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, laborers toiled
for up to 80 hours per week. Furthermore, they were not given Saturdays and Sundays off. In short, the
work never ceased.
During the Gilded Age, factory conditions were extremely treacherous. Laborers were subject to
dangerous industrial equipment, toxic fumes, and swelteringly hot temperatures. In 1911, for instance,
146 women were killed in a raging fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory (Loewen 205). After further
investigation, it was revealed that the Triangle Shirtwaist Company had violated several safety
procedures, which ultimately led to the deaths of these women (Zinn 326). This example, unfortunately,
is merely one instance of the many tragedies that occurred in factories during the Progressive Era. As
Zinn explains, accidents, sicknesses, and disasters were abundant:
There were more fires. And accidents. And sickness. In the year 1904, 27,000 workers
were killed on the job, in manufacturing, transport, and agriculture. In one year, 50,000
accidents took place in New York factories alone. Hat and cap makers were getting
respiratory diseases, quarrymen were inhaling deadly chemicals, lithographic printers
were getting arsenic poisoning (Zinn 327).
As indicated by the evidence above, working in manufacturing plants during the Gilded Age and
Progressive Era was tremendously hazardous and unsafe.
Local, state, and national governments during the Gilded Age were heavily corrupt; in addition,
government officials were easily bribed. During this period, Americans were not given the attention they
deserved from their respective legislatures. With regards to the state of the United States government
at this time, Zinn writes: 4“Corruption dominates the ballot box, the legislatures, the Congress, and
touches even the ermine of the bench” (Zinn 288). As evidenced by this quote, there was deception and
dishonesty at all levels of legislature. From local governments all the way to Congress, representatives
could not be trusted.
The Progressives made various proposals with the intention of reforming the United States and
distributing the wealth amongst the population. 3In a general sense, Progressives sought “continuity
and predictability in a world of endless change. They assigned far greater power to government. 2and
encouraged the centralization of authority” (Zinn 350). In a time of extensive political corruption, the
Progressives fought for transformation of the system, ultimately leading to some reformation and
change. For instance, the Progressives were responsible for direct primaries, and the direct election of
Senators, thereby expanding American democracy (Sage). They lobbied for an “aggressive, proactive
government that foresaw problems and acted to prevent calamities” (Sage). Finally, the Progressives
pressed for increased government involvement in public affairs (Sage). Overall, the Progressives made
several beneficial proposals that led to expansion of American democracy and increased government
regulation.
The Progressives pushed for several Constitutional amendments, all of which led to significant changes
in the United States. The 18th Amendment, for instance, established the period of Prohibition. The 19th
Amendment, which granted women’s suffrage, was also a product of the Progressive Era (Sage). The
Progressives were also heavily involved in the struggle for the regulation of large businesses. One major
accomplishment of this period was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. This law was “an act to protect trade
and commerce against unlawful restraints and made it illegal to form a combination or conspiracy to
restrain trade in interstate or foreign commerce” (Zinn 260). Progressives recognized that large
corporations had created an unfair business environment in the form of monopolies, so they fought to
eliminate these trusts. By combating these large monopolies, the Progressives benefited America by
facilitating the creation of a more competitive, diverse business market. In American society, the
Progressives battled issues such as poverty, racism, and sexism. Through these efforts, the Progressives
helped create a more egalitarian social atmosphere.
In many ways, the United States did become a “kinder, gentler nation.” As indicated by the evidence
above, the Progressives were quite successful in creating reform. For example, they helped expand
American democracy and institute women’s suffrage. However, there are many instances where the
Progressives were not nearly as effective as they had hoped to be. For example, the working
environment in manufacturing plants has continued to be extremely treacherous. As discussed in Fowl
Trouble, the story of a present day American poultry slaughterhouse, many employees “must endure
sweltering heat and remain ever mindful that the horrible fumes released by the decomposing blood
can, in rare cases, become poisonous in a confined space” (Fowl Trouble). The Chain Never Stops further
discusses the dangers of modern day factories:
5The rate of cumulative trauma injuries in meatpacking is the highest of any American industry. It is
about 33 times higher than the national average. According to federal statistics, nearly 1 out of every 10
meatpacking workers suffers a cumulative trauma injury every year. In fact, it's very hard to find a
meatpacking worker who's not suffering from some kind of recurring pain. For unskilled, unschooled
manual laborers, cumulative trauma injuries such as disc problems, tendonitis, and "trigger finger" (a
syndrome in which a finger becomes stuck in a curled position) can permanently limit the ability to earn
a decent income. Much of this damage will never be healed (The Chain Never Stops).
Clearly, factory conditions have not improved as much as the Progressives would have hoped. Millions
of laborers continue to be injured each year, yet manufacturers turn a blind eye to this issue. They are
far more concerned with production and efficiency, so they often disregard work related injuries and
accidents (Discussion 10/11). Due to the state of modern day work conditions, it is evident that the
Progressives were not entirely successful in creating a “kinder, gentler nation.” Overall, historians assess
the Progressive Period as a time of “reluctant reform” (Zinn 349). Zinn, in particular, characterizes the
Progressive Period as an era “aimed quieting the popular risings, not making fundamental changes”
(Zinn 349). In this quote, Zinn is indicating to the reader that the Progressives were not focused on
creating reform, but rather they were dedicated to quelling protest and ameliorating popular distress.
Based on the modern working environments of many factories, as discussed above, I agree with Zinn’s
points. Today, laborers at many industrial plants work in equally as treacherous environments as those
of the Gilded Age. Furthermore, these workers continue to receive little payment for their long-hour
workdays. In conclusion, while the Progressives did press for changes in America, they were ultimately
unable to create the ideal, democratic nation that they had hoped to establish.
UNITED STATES HISTORY
AMY BELL
W R I T TE N E X E RC I SE # 2
“COMPREHENSION
D O E S N OT M E A N D E N Y I N G T H E O U T R A G E O U S ,
DEDUCING THE
U N P R E C E D E N T E D F R O M P R E C E D E N C E , O R E X P L A I N I N G P H E N O M E NA B Y S U C H A NA L O G I E S A N D
G E N E R A L I T I E S T H A T T H E I M PA C T O F R E A L I T Y A N D T H E S H O C K O F E X P E R I E N C E A R E N O
L O N G E R F E LT. I T M E A N S , R A T H E R , E X A M I N I N G A N D B E A R I N G C O N S C I O U S LY T H E BU R D E N
W H I C H O U R C E N T U RY H A S P L A C E D O N U S – N E I T H E R D E N Y I N G I T S E X I S T E N C E N O R
S U B M I T T I N G M E E K LY TO I T S W E I G H T. ”
~ HANNAH ARENDT
Who, exactly, were the Progressives? One historian writes that they “offered an
impressive array of reform proposals.” Why did they do so? What was our country like
during the Gilded Age? What, exactly, were these proposals and what benefit did they
bring to “life in these United States?” To what extent was the nation altered by their
proposals? Please explain why the U.S. did (or did not) become a “kinder, gentler
nation” as a result of the Progressive movement. Finally, how do some historians assess
the Progressives? What examples from the Progressive Era and from today can you
provide to support or refute their arguments?
“ H I S TO RY I S F I C T I O N, E XC E P T F O R T H E PA R T S T H A T I L I K E , W H I C H A R E , O F C O U R S E , T R U E . ”
~ JIM CORDER
DIRECTIONS
1) Your response to the question must be typed—twelve point font, double-spaced.
In writing your answer, please do not exceed five pages.
2) In your response, try to mainly use only your assigned text(s), the instructor’s
handouts, or class notes taken from discussions. You may use additional
library or internet scholarly sources.
3) Your generalizations must be supported by direct citations from the text, class
notes, or instructor’s handouts.
4) Citations should be made in MLA format. For class notes or presentations, you
might use: (Discussion Board 1) or (class notes) or (Zinn 23).
Note: You must cite parenthetically throughout your narrative. Please follow this format. There
should be many citations throughout your response taken from the sources noted above because
assumptions and interpretations must be bolstered by citations.
The strength of your response is dependent largely upon your citation of the assigned sources.
5) Do not include a bibliography.
6) You may consult with your classmates in formulating an answer to this question.
However, you must write your own, unique, independent answer to this question.
7) Date Due: Please see date on eCampus Calendar.
“ O N E I S A S TO N I S H E D I N T H E S T U DY O F H I S TO RY A T T H E R E C U R R E N C E O F T H E I D E A T H A T
E V I L M U S T B E F O R G OT T E N, D I S T O RT E D, S K I M M E D OV E R . W E M U S T N OT R E M E M B E R T H A T
DA N I E L W E B S T E R G OT D RU N K BU T O N LY R E M E M B E R T H A T H E W A S A S P L E N D I D
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER.
W E M U S T F O RG E T T H A T G E O RG E W A H I N G TO N W A S A S L AV E
OW N E R … A N D S I M P LY R E M E M B E R T H E T H I N G S W E R E G A R D A S C R E D I TA B L E A N D I N S P I R I N G .
T H E D I F F I C U LT Y, O F C O U R S E , W I T H T H I S P H I L O S O P H Y I S T H A T H I S TO RY L O S E S I T S VA L U E A S
A N I N C E N T I V E A N D E X A M P L E ; I T PA I N T S P E R F E C T M E N A N D N O B L E N A T I O N S , BU T I T D O E S
N OT T E L L T H E T RU T H . ”
~ W. E . B . D U B O I S ( B L AC K R E C O N S T R U C T I O N )