The ProgressivesThe Progressives

Political ReformPolitical Reform

Religious LeadersReligious Leaders CorruptionCorruption Boss TweedBoss Tweed

Progressives saw political corruption as both Progressives saw political corruption as both a cause and a symptom of the growing urban a cause and a symptom of the growing urban disorderdisorder. In this . In this Thomas NastThomas Nast cartoon, a cartoon, a pack of vultures waits out a storm. The pack of vultures waits out a storm. The vultures have the heads of the infamous vultures have the heads of the infamous “Boss Tweed” and his gang. “Boss Tweed” “Boss Tweed” and his gang. “Boss Tweed” was William Marcy Tweed, leader of the was William Marcy Tweed, leader of the Tammany political organization that Tammany political organization that controlled the Democratic Party in New York controlled the Democratic Party in New York City in the late 1800s. City in the late 1800s. The “Tweed Ring” The “Tweed Ring” grew rich and powerful through its control grew rich and powerful through its control of New York City expenditures and the of New York City expenditures and the patronage jobs it could give loyal patronage jobs it could give loyal DemocratsDemocrats. . But in part because of Nast’s But in part because of Nast’s cartoons, public anger was roused over cartoons, public anger was roused over Tweed’s criminal activities. In time, this Tweed’s criminal activities. In time, this “storm” of outrage on the part of “storm” of outrage on the part of Progressives and others drove Tweed from Progressives and others drove Tweed from power and, ultimately, to prison.power and, ultimately, to prison.

A Group of A Group of Vultures Vultures Waiting for Waiting for the storm to the storm to “Blow Over” – “Blow Over” – “Let Us Prey”“Let Us Prey”

Bones and SkullsBones and Skulls

- LawLaw

- JusticeJustice

- SuffrageSuffrage

- LibertyLiberty

- New York City New York City TreasuryTreasury

- Rent PayerRent Payer

- Tax payersTax payers

Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918). 1918). ““Social Gospel”Social Gospel”

challenged challenged “ “laissez-faire”laissez-faire” ““Gospel of Wealth,”Gospel of Wealth,”

the intellectual the intellectual justifications justifications of privilege of privilege and wealth in the and wealth in the 19th 19th centurycentury. .

The church must The church must transform society as well transform society as well as save individual souls.as save individual souls.

Progressive leader Father John A. Progressive leader Father John A. Ryan.Ryan.

The Catholic church, The Catholic church, too, produced too, produced important important Progressive leaders Progressive leaders such as such as Father John Father John A. Ryan (protected A. Ryan (protected Catholic immigrant Catholic immigrant workers)workers), who sought , who sought to prevent the to prevent the exploitation of exploitation of working men and working men and women – many of women – many of them Catholic them Catholic immigrants – that immigrants – that produced poverty and produced poverty and political corruption. political corruption. 1930 photo.1930 photo.

““Wisconsin Idea,” Wisconsin Idea,” - People select People select

political candidatespolitical candidates- First state income First state income

tax tax

Replaced a Replaced a spoils spoils systemsystem with awith a state state civil servicecivil service, and , and pushed through pushed through regulations for regulations for factory safety, factory safety, railroads, and railroads, and public utilities.public utilities.

The best known The best known Progressive reformer at Progressive reformer at the state level was the state level was Robert Robert La FolletteLa Follette (1855-1925) (1855-1925) of of Wisconsin.Wisconsin.

Robert La Follette at his desk in Robert La Follette at his desk in

1906.1906.

Thomas Loftin JohnsonThomas Loftin Johnson (1854-1911), a (1854-1911), a Progressive mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, from Progressive mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, from 1901 to 1909, 1901 to 1909,

Fought for public ownershipFought for public ownership reducing the reducing the costs of essential servicescosts of essential services, such as , such as transportation, and electric and gas utilities.transportation, and electric and gas utilities.

An urban reform demanded most frequently by city An urban reform demanded most frequently by city dwellers was the dwellers was the reform and professionalization of reform and professionalization of city police forcescity police forces. Here, one of New York City's . Here, one of New York City's Finest poses for the camera in 1907.Finest poses for the camera in 1907.