Author Question: Discuss the attempts to unionize American workers during the progressive era and analyze the ... (Read 92 times)

fnuegbu · **on:** Sep 21, 2019

Question 1

Discuss the major issues as well as the more important leaders of reform at the state level during the progressive era.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss the characteristics and the primary goals of those who supported municipal reform during the progressive era.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 3

Discuss the attempts to unionize American workers during the progressive era and analyze the problems that unions faced in their attempts to organize the workers.

What will be an ideal response?

katheyjon · **Reply #1 on:** Sep 21, 2019

Answer 1

Answer: At the state level, progressives in early twentieth-century America stressed broadening democratic control of the government as well as social justice. They advocated the initiative and referendum. They supported railroad and corporate regulation, child labor laws, limits on working hours for women, and tax reform. Charles Evans Hughes of New York, Hoke Smith of Georgia, Hiram Johnson of California, Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, and Robert La Follette were particularly prominent in promoting progressive reform in their states.

Answer 2

Answer: Most municipal reformers during the progressive era were middle-class whites concerned with the impact of poor immigrants on American values and political traditions. They attempted to break up the alliance between immigrants and corrupt city bosses by advocating governmental changes that would favor middle-class values. Efficiency in the interest of the business classes was generally their primary concern, and they often did not understand the needs of the poorer classes they claimed to be trying to help.

Answer 3

Answer: At the beginning of the progressive era, the American Federation of Labor was the only major functioning national union in the United States. The AFL ignored immigrant and unskilled workers, concentrating on the organization of skilled workers who had more leverage with owners. Radical labor groups such as the International Workers of the World also sought to organize all American workers but were generally unsuccessful because their concepts violated American traditions.