15.

4
 15.4

14. The Progressive era was an effort to address the
ills of American society stemming from industrial
capitalism, urbanization and political corruption.
 15.4

Social
Criticism

Changes brought
by industrialization
and urbanization

triggered debate
how best to
address societys
problems.

Some Americans
believed
the government should
take a more active role

regulating the
economy
and helping those
in need.
 15.4

Henry George
and Progress and
Poverty

Henry Georges
book became a
bestseller.

Land was the
basis of wealth.

George proposed a
single tax
on land to replace
all other taxes.

Believed it would
had made society
more equal.

Provide govt with
enough money to
help the poor.

Georges ideas
challenged
Social Darwinism and
laissez-faire economics.
15.4

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=tyMD1E
l1uG0
 15.4

Reform
Darwinism

Lester Frank Ward-
used Darwinism to
reach a different
conclusion.

People succeeded
because of their
ability to cooperate

Competition
was wasteful and
time consuming.

Government could
regulate the economy,
cure poverty and
promote education.
LESTER FRANK WARD

 15.4

Looking
Backward

Critics of Social
Darwinism and laissez-
faire
moved to the opposite
extreme.

Edward Bellamy-
his novel depicts a man
that wakes up in future
America
that is perfect.

In this society-
Government owns
all industry and
shares the wealth.
15.4

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=BMI-
9LX62Tk
 15.4

Naturalism in
Literature

Naturalism-
new style of writing-
it challenged the idea
that all people have
control over their lives.

People failed in life
because they were caught
up in circumstances
beyond their control.
Stephen Crane and Jack
London

 15.4

Helping the Urban
Poor
Some critics were
working for reform.

Social Gospel Movement,
Salvation Army,
YMCA womens Clubs,
settlement Houses and
temperance movements.
 15.4

Social Gospel
Worked to better
conditions according to
biblical ideas of charity
and justice.

Washington Gladden-
minister from
Columbus, Ohio.

Applying
Christian
principles to solve
social problems.

Churches began to take
on community problems
designed to improve
society.
WASHINGTON
GLADDEN

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=VjBUavI
1-S0
 15.4

The Salvation
Army and
the YMCA

William Booth-
formed the Salvation Army-
offered practical aid and
religious counseling to the
urban poor.

YMCA: also began in
England-
bible studies,
prayer meetings,
citizenship activities, and
group activities.
WILLIAM BOOTH

 15.4

Dwight L.
Moody and
Revivalism

Dwight L.
Moody- president
of Chicago YMCA.

Introduced gospel
hymn into worship
services.

Moody drew thousands of
people to revival meetings in
1870s and 1880s.
Believed truly helping people by
redeeming their souls and
reforming their character.
DWIGHT L. MOODY

 15.4

The Settlement House
Movement
Settlement House- middle-
class residents lived and
helped poor residents- mostly
immigrants.
15.4
Jane Addams- established
Hull House in Chicago in
1889.
Provided medical care,
recreation programs, English
classes, and hot lunches.
15.4

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=5R6Gaj
HiJyk
 15.4

Public Education
US needed workers trained
and educated.
Led to greater focus on
building schools and colleges
in the late 1800s.
 15.4

Spread of Schools
Americanization- public schools
essential to immigrant children.
Public schools taught English,
American History, and
Citizenship.

Member public schools
increased after civil war.
Americanization posed a
problem for immigrants
-parents worried their children
would forget their own cultural
traditions.
 15.4

Education for the
workplace
City schools helped
immigrants assimilate

Grade school system divided students
into eight grades- drilled them in
timely attendance,
neatness and efficiency
habits for success at the workplace.
 15.4

Expanding Higher Education
Colleges multiplied
Morrill Land Grant- gave
federal lands to states for the
purpose of setting up land-
grant colleges.
 15.4

Public Libraries
Made education available
to city dwellers.
Carnegie donated millions
to libraries.