Early America—Progressive Era

1869 to 1918
Transcontinental Railroad to The Great War

Era Summary       Characters       Timeline       Reading Assignments      

Era Summary—Progressive Era

The decades following the Civil War were peaceful and prosperous overall but involved a great deal of change and disruption. Economic booms were often followed by busts; large influxes of immigrants enabled a great expansion of industry while at the same time depressing wages, and new inventions created entire newly industries while displacing old ones. Although the overall standard of living of most Americans improved during the late 19th century, it improved more for some than others, and many large fortunes were concentrated in a few hands. Even worse, almost all the growth occurred in the North and West, leaving the post-confederate south still economically backward and segregated.

Thomas Edison
EDISON AT WORK IN THE ORANGE LABORATORY.
Invention and Industry—Until the late 19th century, Britain led the world in invention and industry. From that time forward, however, a series of American inventors and engineers made developed a number of life-changing technologies. A few of the most important are listed below, but hundreds of patents were issued during this period for technologies that are now commonplace.

1) Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, the movie camera, the lightbulb, the electrical grid system and many other familiar items. 2) James Eads built the first road and rail bridge across the Mississippi river. He later designed a jetty system for the Mississippi river. 3) Charles Goodyear invented a system to vulcanize, or toughen rubber. 4) Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone. 5) Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the Airplane. 6) George Eastman invented photographic film. 7) Cyrus Field layed the first transatlantic cable.

In addition to these heroes of invention, there were a great many fortunes made by titans of industry who came to dominate a growing field. Among the most famous industrialists and bankers of the late 19th century were these. 1) John Rockefeller controlled Standard Oil Co. 2) Andrew Carnegie dominated the Steel Industry. 3) Cornelius Vanderbilt built his empire on shipping and railroads. 4) Henry Ford built the first automotive empire. 5) J. P. Morgan made much of his fortune in Banking and Electrification projects.

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy—Late 19th century presidents included Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and William McKinley. It was an era of party politics and political bosses, and one of the important issues of the days was "civil service" reform. This issue came to the forefront when James Garfield was assassinated by an office seeker. There was need of reform in many other areas of govenment as well, since the age of large fortunes and monopolies inevitably led to political corruption and backroom deals. Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, had a reputation for integrity and was elected for two terms with the help of Reform-minded Republicans.

Spanish American War
ANNIHILATION OF THE SPANISH FLEET AT MANILA.
The tremendous grow in population and industry during the late 19th century led to a boom and bust economy which was effected by monitary policy. The U.S. government had coined silver dollars after the war and this easy-money policy led to speculation and inflation. In 1873 they returned to the "Gold Standard" and this caused a financial crisis and depression. As soon as the economy recovered however, aggressive growth and speculation resumed, leading to the Panics of 1893 and 1907. In order to stablize the money supply and prevent bank failures the government created the Federal Reserve in 1913, which in turn provided the illusion of financial security that fueled the 1920's boom and 1930's collapse.

In the realm of foreign policy, the main conflict in the post Civil War era was the Spanish American War. The war was provoked by war-mongering journalists who favored Cuban independence from Spain. When the Maine exploded in the Havana harbor, Americans considered it an act of war, even though there was no proof of Spanish involvement. The war was one-sided, lasted only a few months, and ended with American possession of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Theodore Roosevelt
THEODORE ROOSEVELT IS SUMMMONED.
Social Reformers and Trust Busters—The idea of "social reform" took hold in the late 19th century in both Europe and America. The idea of social progress was applied to many different institutions but the common theme was the idea that "society" could be improved by changing laws or methods, or by educating the populace. In politics, this took the form of movements to root out corruption and limit the power of big monied interests. In education this meant promoting universal public schooling, adopting "scientific" methods of teaching, and professionalizing certain vocations.

Two famous reform movements of the early 20th century required amendments to the constitution. These were the prohibition of alcohol (18th amendment, passed 1917), and women's suffrage (19th amendment, passed 1919). Many other reform movements resulted in Acts of Congress. A few examples of this were Anti-trust Acts of 1890 and 1915 and the Civil Service reform act of 1883.

Social reform movements were popular across the political spectrum in the early twentieth century. Both Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, and Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, were considered leaders of the "progressive movement". Roosevelt was a critic of business monopolies and known as a "trust buster". At the same time he was a conservationalist, and helped to establish the national park system. He was also a science and technology enthusiast, and promoted the building of the Panama canal, the most ambitious technological feat of the age. Wilson promoted laws that prohibited child labor, imposed an 8-hour work day, helped farmers get loans, and opposed business monopolies.


Characters—Progressive Era


Character/Date Short Biography

Invention and Industry

Alexander Graham Bell
1847–1922
Inventor of the telephone, and also a founder of a school for the deaf.
Thomas Edison
1847–1931
Prolific inventor, responsible for improvements in the light bulb, movies, phonograph, and many others.
Wilber and Orville
1871–1948
Inventors of the first practical airplane. The Wright brothers were self-educated bicycle shop owners.
Andrew Carnegie
1835–1919
American Industrialist who gained his wealth in steel. He gave away most of his riches to libraries and schools.
Jay Gould
1836–1892
American Financier involved with gold speculation, railroad speculation, and Boss Tweed in New York
John Philip Holland
1841–1914
Born in Ireland, Holland designed the first submarine used by the U.S. Navy.
Robert Peary
1856–1920
Artic explorer who claimed to have reached the North Pole.

Political and Military

James Garfield
1831–1881
Elected President of the United states in 1880, but was assassinated only a few month after taking office.
Grover Cleveland
1837–1908
President of the United States, elected twice. He was a reformer, noted for his honesty.
William McKinley
1843–1901
President of the United States during the Spanish American War. He was assassinated in office.
Theodore Roosevelt
1858–1919
Progressive Republican who served as the 26th President of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson
1856–1924
United States President during the First World War. Founder of the League of Nations.
General Pershing
1860–1948
Leader of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.
Admiral Hobson
1870–1937
Naval leader in the Spanish American war, who heroically attempted to sink a collier in Santiago harbor.
George Dewey
1837–1917
Highest ranking Naval Officer in U.S. Hero of Battle of Manila Bay in Spanish American War.
Sergeant York
1887–1964
Great War veteran famous for his heroic exploits during the Battle of Argonne.

Social Reform

Lucretia Mott
1793–1880
Influential Quaker leader who advocated the rights of women. Held relatively conservative views among early feminists.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
1815–1902
Early leader in the female suffrage, and temperance movement.
Susan B. Anthony
1820–1906
Leader of the female suffrage and temperence movements who traveled widely and became a full time advocate.
Booker T. Washington
1856–1915
Former slave who became an Important leader of newly freed negroes. Emphasised education, job training, clean-living, and self-help.
Joseph Smith
1805–1844
Founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Killed before the Mormans moved to Utah.

Timeline—Progressive Era


AD YearEvent

Politics and Statecraft

1865 Beginning of "Reconstruction". Union troops occupy the south.
1871 "Alabama Claims" against Britain decided by arbitration.
1877 Last Union Troops are withdrawn from the South.
1883 Civil service reformed after office-seeker assassinated James Garfield.
1884 Reform-minded Republicans support anti-corruption Democrat, Grover Cleveland for president.
1886 Statue of Liberty, a gift to America from France, is dedicated at Liberty Island
1889 Johnstown Flood near Pittsburgh, kills thousands after a dam on the Conemaugh river bursts.
1896 William Jennings Bryan, a populist democrat, campaigns against the "gold-standard".
1898 U.S.S. Maine is sunk in Havana Harbor, triggering the Spanish American War.
1898 Admiral George Dewey defeats the Spanish at Manilla Bay, bringing the Philippines under U.S. control.
1898 Americans defeat the Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba, bringing Cuba under U.S. control.
1901 President William McKinley is assassinated by an anarchist; Theodore Roosevelt becomes president.
1912 Roosevelt splits Republicans by running on "Bull Moose" ticket, Democrat Wilson elected president.
1913 Sixteenth Amendment establishes a Federal Income Tax.
1913 Woodrow Wilson helps institue the Federal Reserve, a central banking system.
1914 The Panama canal, started in 1903 under Roosevelt's administration, is complete.
1915 Germany sinks the RMS Lusitania, killing over 2000 civilians, including Americans.
1917 The United States, under Woodrow Wilson, declares War on Germany.

Social Reform

1848 Seneca Falls Convention Women's Rights organized by Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
1874 Francis Willard becomes the leader of the Women's Christian Temperence Union.
1878 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton introduce amendment granting women the right to vote.
1881 Booker T. Washington becomes the leader of the Tuskagee Normal School in Alabama.
1919 Nineteenth Amendment grants women the right to vote in all states.
1920 Eighteenth Amendment prohibits the sale of alcoholic Beverages in the United States.

Industry and Invention

1866 Transatlantic cable laid by Cyrus Field Cyrus Field.
1869 First Transcontinental Railroad is completed between Council Bluff, Iowa and Oakland, California
1873 Railroad speculation and problems in Europe cause the financial "Panic of 1873"
1874 James B. Eads completes first steel bridge accross the Mississippi at St. Louis.
1878 Alexander Graham Bell exhibits telephone.
1879 Thomas Edison demonstrates first commercial lightbulb.
1903 Wilber and Orville test fly first airplane at kittyhawk.

Recommended Reading—Progressive Era


Book Title
Selected Chapters (# chapters)

Core Reading Assignments

Guerber - Story of the Great Republic   The Atlantic Cable to Two Presidents (22)
Marshall - This Country of Ours   The President is Impeached to The Great War (8)

Supplemental Recommendations

Evans - America First—100 Stories from Our History   Laying the Atlantic Cable to Sergeant York (11)
Meadowcroft - The Boys' Life of Edison    entire book
McSpadden - Theodore Roosevelt    entire book
Washington - Up From Slavery    entire book
Morris - True Stories of Our Presidents   Ulysses S. Grant to Theodore Roosevelt (8)
Morris - Heroes of Progress in America   Lucretia Mott to Booker T. Washington (16)
Morris - The Story of Mexico    entire book

Also Recommended

Southworth - Builders of Our Country: Book II   Cyrus McCormick to Andrew Carnegie (5)
Fraser - Boys' Book of Sea Fights   Dewey at Manila Bay to Battle of Santiago Harbor (2)
Brawley - A Short History of the American Negro    entire book

I: Introductory, II: Intermediate, C: College Prep