HIST 1067/16/13Progressive Era- Changing Face of Industrializationo 1895 – 1915: Progressive Vision Tried to regulate trusts and have expansive and hopeful vision of nation Look for results and efficiencies, used business method Business become “mammoth”, became large before- Employ huge numbers of workers- Worker, business role change- 1903 Ford Motor Co.o Transforms business, originally created luxury racing carso Found few buyers for expensive cars, lowered price more saleso Starts building simple car with more units, cheapero Model T – Peoples Car Sold 11k in first year Cost $850 and available only in black 1913 Used mass production, from meatpackers Reduces time and cost of car production 1914 Sold 248k, took 93 min/per car 1925 new car per 10 seconds Federal Road Aid Act $75 million- Provides matching federal and state funds for new highways- Caused by farmers getting stuck in mud - Ignites federal aid highway in 1956- Constructs national network of roadso JP Morgan and Co. – investment bankers Replace industrial capitalists of early era Financed mergers and reorganizations, play greater role in economy Multimillion dollar company ran from NY to every industrial and financial center Trusts and interlocking directorates created control to many businesses- Trustees would sit on many different boards for different interests Sets up debate about government control of trustso Mass Production Changes direction of American industry Looking for speed and production, rather than worker role Looked for uniformity rather than unique items, standardization Research and Development assist creation of new products- Eastman Kodak, Standard Oil had R&D dept.o Large Scale Business operation 1920 most factories employed more than 250 workers Many factories part of multi-plant factories Frederick Winslow Taylor- Prior to industrial era, apprentice learned from skilled worker- Strives to get maximum efficiency from each worker- Management must take responsibility for knowledgeo Rules, laws and formulae- Management not workers control pace of productiono Enforce standardization, adoption of implements, working conditions and cooperation- Scientific Management spreads through nations industries Worker losses:- Pride of Workmanship- Jobs became monotonous and hazardouso Hazard was necessary evil and part of job- 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Co., New Yorko Seamstresses cramped into room for efficiencyo Locked emergency exits to prevent thieveryo Many women and men die in stampede to escape fireo 146 people die, 80k people marched in honor and protesto This causes NY governor to improve factory safety conditions- Spirit of Progressivism + Social Justice Movemento Reform solutions for the city, state and nation Politically will look for solutions Intellectually will draw on new social sciences and ideals Culturally will inspire new modes of expression in art, film and architecture Set of attitudes and a definable movemento Sources: Urban, white collar, middle-class, skilled workers and businessmen Leadership comes mainly from young educated men and women- Hopes to use expertise to improve societyo Ideology Believed in progress and change for better Individual morality combined into collective action Broad nature (all political parties) (different reforms: politics, city, prostitutes) Used expert opinion to create efficiencyo Reform Committees Several thousand committees popped up National Child Labor Committee- Regulate children working hours and conditions Professional Societies- 1901 American Medical Associationo Worked to make medicine a modern jobo Set standards for being a doctor- 1905 National Education Associationo Compulsory Education Lawso Teacher certificationo Social-justice Movement Began in 1890s and hoped to free poor in intercity districts Intellectuals join to focus on evils of intercities 1889 Jane Addams and Hull House, Chicago- Concerned with plight of immigrant women- Setup a house to help immigrant womeno Teach languageo How to take care of childreno Hosts a library for them Social Engineering people to help others like Jane Addams Changes focus from small movements to government intervention and aid- From helping one person to analyzing whole neighborhoods- 1900 Lawrence Veillero Saw poor people and made exhibition of tenement housingo Made models, took pictures, maps and tables about slum areaso Talks about housing condition and diseaseso Created public outcry, governor went to remedy problem- National Conference of Social Worko Socials workers could conference between cities and stateso Formed professional schools including Harvardo 1909 The Survey about reforms Women play an active role in the political justice sphere 1890-1914- Women push for higher wages- Colleges graduate 5k women who move to professional careers- Turn away from leisurely pursuits to active reformo School improvementso Food purityo Improving work safety- General federation of women’s clubo 1914 championed women’s suffrageo Peaceful methods- 1913 Congressional Uniono Focus on congress, more militanto Alice Paul, founder, is arrested for picketing, does hunger strike- 19th amendmento Women’s right to voteo Government as an agent of change Felt they could make government follow public will Welcomed government action at whatever level appropriate Use of federal power increases, along with power and prestige of presidency- Reform in Citieso Cities modernize organizationally 1894 National Municipal League- Forum to debate reform in cities- Within a decade almost every city had a reform league- Before 1900 work during day and go home- After leaned toward business model with long termo Stress expertiseo Galveston Storm Sept. 8 1900 6-8k die in storm First observed in August in Cuba, details were sketchy and poor communications Morning of Sept. 8th normal until wind increases and tide rises Bridges from island broke, people left too late Wind rose and people fought rain and water Storm surge created an immediate 4ft water and rose, whole city under water Casualties ranged from 10-12k Needed professionals to govern city after destruction- Formed government by commission- Later evolves into city-manager form and elected commissiono Cities hire city managers
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