The Progressive Era: Teaching & Learning Resources
This resource provides history teachers with a full spectrum of resources for learning about the Progressive Era including texts, photographs, multimedia, lesson plans, other internet resources, and a timeline for the period that provides additional links for more in-depth study. Many of the resources serve to enrich the material that will be found in the timeline in other ways than text alone. Greater contemporary relevance can also be emphasized by the use of additional site material relating to contemporary American Progressivism.
American history texts for adults dealing in whole or in part with the Progressive Era:
A People's History of the United States
Howard Zinn
Zinn offers a Progressive perspective on the entire history of the United States. Chapters 11, 12, and 13 focus specifically on the Progressive Era, and provide what is probably the best summary ever written for that period of time.
Rendezvous with Destiny
Eric F. Goldman
Goldman's is easily the best in-depth study currently available. Very engagingly written, rich with mini-biographies, and illuminating of the whole range of Progressive and Populist concerns.
The Age of Reform
Richard Hofstadter
Far more analytical and much less anecdotal thatn Goldman's book, Hofstadter offers a coolly cerebral assessment of the ideas underlying Progressivism and how Progressives tried to implement them.
The World of Hope: Progressives and the Struggle for an Ethical Public Life
David B. Danbom
A number of historians emphasize Progressivism's "broad reforms" , call it an "umbrella label" or speak of it as though it was a movement without any fundamental principles. By identifying the basic moral concerns of Progressives, Danbom provides a vastly more insightful and unified account, and also does much to clarify what Progressivism was and is really all about.
A Very Different Age
Steven J. Diner
A fairly recent book (1998) that manages to be at once erudite, boring, cynical, and confused. Informative, yet packed with dubious judgments, the impression is strong that Diner hated everything that happened during the era. He misses, over and over and over again, precisely what Danbom so clearly focuses. Even the title embodies a serious misconception. (Not recommended.)
The Progressive Years
Otis Pease
An older book that does an impressive job of providing original Progressive source materials in short yet not fragmentary compass. Diverse and enlightening.
The Rough Riders/An Autobiography
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was both a Progressive and a Conservative in a way rarely seen before his time, and virtually never since. These autobiographical writings bring the man vividly to life, and provide an understanding of how and why he combined what would today be considered completely divergent political tendencies.
American history texts for children and young adults dealing in whole or in part with the Progressive Era:
The Age of Reform and Industrializatino 1896-1920
Edited by Roman Espejo
This is Volume 6 of the Greenhaven Press American History by Era series. In many ways it is reminiscent of Otis Pease's anthology of original readings for adults, but the selections are shorter, lighter, and more diverse. In all this is actually quite a lively and satisfying portrait of the Progressive Era, and not a bad introduction even for adults, though it is pitched at about a High School level. It is, however, printed exclusively in black and white, and provides relatively few illustrations.
The 1900s
Adam Woog
Woog's book is also part of a series, in this case A Cultural History of the United States Through the Decades. It is written at about a Middle School level of comprehension, and is richly illustrated. It also does quite a good job of conveying the essentials of the period from 1900 to 1910.
Miscellaneous Texts
Dawn of the Century 1900 - 1910 and
End of Innocence 1910 - 1920
(Part of the "Our American Century" series)The Editors of Time-Life Books
These two books tell the story of the Progressive Era in fluffy, superficial prose and an enormous number of photographs. The results are mixed: the photographs do a great deal to convey the overall flavor of the period, while the text completely misses the forces that drove the events of the era, and consistently focuses on the more tangential, irrelevant, and trivial. This is "history as light entertainment".
The Future in America
H. G. Wells
Today we tend to think of H. G. Wells as a science fiction writer when we think of him at all. But Wells was first and foremost an educator and social critic, as well as a historian, and most of his output was not science fiction. In the early part of the 20th century he visited America in order to answer the question: what will America eventually become? His answers in The Future in America were amazingly prescient, and reminiscent in some ways of de Tocqueville — except far more accurate.
Multimedia : General US History
The Century: America's Time (Volume 1)
ABC News
(VHS only - not available in DVD)
This series has been generally well-received, and it's not hard to see why: in common with the the Time-Life "Our American Century" books (see above, right) the visual storytelling is very engaging, and brings the era to life in a way that text alone cannot.
Nevertheless, there's a very serious problem with what might be called the "frame" here: the Progressive Era was brought about by massive political and corporate corruption, yet we begin here by hearing primarily about millions of emmigrants to the US, whom we are told were seeking "freedom". Of course, some certainly were, though it could be argued that the majority were primarily seeking economic opportunity, and found exploitation. In any case, neither corporate nor political corruption are much mentioned here, which makes the many reforms of the era incomprehensible (and the reforms themselves receive almost no attention). There is also no sense here at all of American imperialism, which ran rampant during this era. In short, "America's Time" (a strangely arrogant title for the series) provides little or no real insight into the forces shaping the first part of the 20th century.
At best, then, this material can serve only as a supplement, while at worst it misleads by intentional omission.
Multimedia: Biography
Theodore Roosevelt: Rough Rider to Rushmore
A&E Biography
(VHS)
This biography has also been well-received. It generally does a better job with its material than ABC's heavily air-brushed history, and shares the virtues of a visual presentation that brings TR to life more fully than text alone.
Like the ABC cosmeticized history, however, almost as much is left out as is presented; and what is presented is presented, at best, uncritically, resulting in a fairly crude cartoon. The complexities of Roosevelt's personality emerge much more clearly in his autobiographical writings.
Roosevelt was both a reformer and an imperialist. He did much to advance American society — at the same time that, for example, he crushed Philippine independence. He was at once a well-read man, and one who had an astonishingly romanticized view of what might be called the "cowboy ideal". While there is a limit to what can be presented in 50 minutes, this biography makes little effort to dig deeper than the surface.
Multimedia: Film
Ragtime
Directed by Milos Forman, Produced by Dino De Laurentiis
(DVD)
This movie is based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow. The primary focus of the film is on the racism encountered by a black musician in the Philadelphia of 1906; however, the story gains depth and breadth by interweaving other themes and characters. Forman seems especially fascinated with the origins of the film industry, and gives some emphasis to the story of a early film director.
Though fictionalized, the overall history of the era is authentic and nicely brought to life, though in a rather superficial way.
Brief, partial nudity unfortunately makes this film inappropriate for Middle School or High School students.
The timeline upon which the multimedia references below are based may be viewed here.
William McKinley (Rep) defeats Bryan (Dem) in the race for the Presidency.
In China, the Boxer Rebellion begins, as an attempt by Chinese nationalists to throw off foreign domination and exploitation. For self-interested economic reasons, the US sends troops to crush the rebellion.
Robert La Follette, more truly a Progressive than Theodore Roosevelt, begins the first of three terms as a reform governor of Wisconsin. He fights for legislation to regulate corporations for the public good, provide for conservation of natural resources, and governance uncorrupted by business influence.
Theodore Dreiser's controversial first novel, Sister Carrie, appears in print.
McKinley is assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt becomes US President.
US Steel, an immense trust, is organized by financier J. P. Morgan. (Morgan works 200,000 men 12 hours a day at wages that barely keep their families alive. Trusts, large mergers of corporations, were established largely to eliminate competition and gain total control of a market.)
Roosevelt invites black educator Booker T. Washington to the White House, generating immense controversy, particularly among southern racists. Washington's biography Up from Slavery is published the same year.
The United Mine Workers go on strike in Pennsylvania. In the first Federal intervention in a labor dispute, Roosevelt forces mine owners to arbitrate with the miners.
The Reclamation Act of 1902 makes possible the initiation of a large-scale program of federal irrigation and hydroelectric development , primarily in arid western lands.
The January issue of McClure's Magazine initiates "muckraking" journalism with articles on municipal government, labor, and trusts (the latter written by Ida M. Tarbell).
Roosevelt establishes a cabinet-level Department of Commerce and Labor.
Seeking to expand the weak and ineffectual powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Elkins Act is passed, which made the acceptance of "rebates" punishable. (Rebates were a practice engaged in by John D. Rockefeller to crush competitors in the oil business.)
The Ford Motor Company is established.
Jack London's novel Call of the Wild is published.
Philosopher John Dewey and seven associates publish Studies in Logical Theory, establishing Pragmatism as a school of philosophy. Pragmatism incorporates a strong steak of relativism.
The US acquires Guantanamo Bay naval station in Cuba.
The first national wildlife refuge, Pelican Island in Florida, is established.
The Wright Brothers achieve powered flight.
Charles Nagle, Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1911
Portrait of John D. Rockefeller
Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan
US Marine camp at Guantanamo Bay
Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge
The Wright brothers airplane at Le Mans
War breaks out between Russia and Japan.
A St. Louis exposition popularizes hamburgers and the ice cream cone is invented. Cooking with electricity is showcased, along with other "marvels of technology".
A film re-enactment of an event in the Russo-Japanese war
Film showing Roosevelt at dedication of St. Louis exposition
Another successful prosecution of a trust, in this case a beef trust, is launched with Swift and Company v. United States.
The war between Russia and Japan comes to an end, with Roosevelt brokering the Treaty of Portsmouth (at Portsmouth, New Hamshire). Russia is forced to abandon its campaign of imperialism in Asia.
The Socialist weekly magazine Appeal to Reason begins serial publication of author Upton Sinclair's book, The Jungle, which reveals the horrors of the meat packing industry.
Man working in Swift and Company plant
Short film showing Russian and Japanese negotiators
The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act are both passed, a direct consequence of the writings of investigative journalists (the "muckrakers").
The Antiquities Act opens the door to the establishment of the nation's first monument, Devil's Tower in Wyoming. Many more were added over the course of the next few years.
H. G. Wells publishes The Future in America, a kind of updating of Tocqueville's Democracy in America .
Roosevelt, intent on displaying US military might, launches the "Great White Fleet".
Like many Americans, Progressive artist Lynd Ward believed businessmen like J. P. Morgan cared about nothing but money.
 Progressive Robert La Follette fought for government uncorrupted by business influence. |
Businessman J. P. Morgan. Roosevelt went after his trust first. (Image: Archive Photos/Camera Press)
William Taft, a former attorney who really wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, becomes president. He proves inept, timid, and conservative.
Race riots in Springfield, Illinois, which lead to the establishment of the NAACP in 1909.
Henry Ford begins marketing an affordable automobile, the "Model T", to Americans.
The Eight, a group of American painters concerned with bringing art into closer touch with life, exhibit together in New York City. This initiates perhaps the most important current in 20th-century US art.
Springfield race riot street scene
Author Mark Twain dies. American philosopher and psychologist William James also dies this year.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt wins a seat in the state senate of New York.
Hiram Johnson is elected Governor of California. He ends corruption of Californian politics by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and pushes through an extensive program of Progressive reforms.
Under Taft, hyper-conservative Joseph Cannon uses the office of Speaker of the House to block progressive legislation. Progressive Republicans and Democrats alike join forces to reduce the powers of the office.
US sociologist William Graham Sumner, whose theories of Social Darwinism had provided intellectual cover for the depredations of the industrialists, dies.
Portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Portrait of William Graham Sumner
Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in a New York City sweatshop results in the deaths of 147 employees, some of whom leapt to their deaths because they were trapped in the building where they worked.
The Supreme Court dissolves the Standard Oil Company, in light of its violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Triangle Shirtwaist Company victims
Textile workers strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
The luxury ocean cruiser Titanic sinks off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Woodrow Wilson elected president.
The Financier is published, the first novel of a trilogy (the Trilogy of Desire) by Theodore Dreiser concerning the life of a morally corrupted financier.
Inauguration of Woodrow Wilson
Progressive artists open the Armory Art Show in New York, New York. The Eight and the Ashcan School show up disoriented "modern" European art also included in the show.
Norway recognizes the right of women to vote. The US still lags. Woman march for suffrage in Washington, DC.
The Federal Reserve System is established, and begins to provide central banking.
Sociologist and philosopher Lester Ward, who had argued for rational, systematic planning for a better society, dies.
Suffragettes march in Washington
The Archduke of Austria is assassinated in Sarajevo. Of no immense significance in itself, the event serves as the pretext for Germany to declare war on Russia, initiating World War I. Some 9 million men, woman and children die for nothing, entire countries are brought to ruination, and the stage is set for World War II.
Striking miners and family members in Ludlow, Colorado are murdered by mine owners.
Many states have minimum-age child labor laws (typically set at 14 years of age); there is as of yet no federal protection.
Lesson Plans
The many issues that drove the reforms of the Progressive Era, and which indeed are responsible for the very label, remain with us today, and are still politically charged. This undoubtedly accounts for the many, grievous omissions in history texts. The most characteristic and most uniquely American phenomenon of all during the era, and indeed the one giving it its stamp, is the large corporation; yet the most reprehensible actions of those corporations and their owners in events such as the Ludlow Massacre, Rockefeller's dynamiting of his competitors, and even the Triangle Shirtwaist fire are often, even usually, airbrushed out of history books.
Though these issues remain controversial, lesson plans dealing with the era should introduce students to the concept of class struggle (of which the Ludlow Massacre is virtually the textbook case), and the roots of class struggle should be probed to whatever extent possible. Likewise, the corrupting influence of money in politics is something that any conscientious history teacher should also introduce.
The lesson plans linked here have been chosen specifically for the degree to which they address with such topics. All are in need of further development, as they skirt the real issues to a greater or lesser extent.
From Jim Crow to Linda Brown (racism and the economic exploitation of African Americans)
Who Really Built America (child labor)
The Progressive Era (reasons for strikes)
The Gilded Age Meets the Progressive Era
Public Pressure and Government Actions (focuses on Upton Sinclair and the meat-packing industry)
The Progressive Era:
Educational Resources