Discussion #5: How Progressive Was The Progressive Era? ✓ Solved

Discussion #5: How progressive was the Progressive Era?

The Progressive era stands out as a time when reformers sought to address social ills brought about by a rapidly changing society. Debates surrounded issues such as political corruption, the regulation of business practices, racial equality, women's suffrage, and the living conditions of impoverished immigrants overcrowded into urban slums.

In order to prepare for this discussion forum, review and identify the relevant sections of Chapter 22 that support your discussion. Read Booker T. Washington's speech The Atlanta Compromise, W.E.B. Du Bois's The Niagara Movement, The Niagara Movement's "Declaration of Principles" by W.E.B. Du Bois, the Women's Suffrage Movement, and an excerpt from How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis along with the photography of Jacob Riis.

After you have completed your readings, post a response to only ONE of the following questions: Compare and contrast the ideas of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. In your opinion, which of these two men had a better plan? Explain why. When it came to the issue of suffrage, did all women agree? Explain. Which social problem was Jacob Riis addressing through his work? How did he communicate the severity of this problem?

Paper For Above Instructions

The Progressive Era, spanning from the 1890s to the 1920s, was marked by significant social and political reforms aimed at addressing the challenges arising from rapid industrialization and urbanization in the United States. This period witnessed a myriad of movements dedicated to rectifying social injustices, including political corruption, poor working conditions, racial inequalities, and women's suffrage. Among the notable figures of this era were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, whose contrasting approaches to racial uplift remain a subject of debate. In this paper, I will compare and contrast their ideas, looking closely at which plan might have been more effective in advocating for African American advancement. Additionally, I will address the suffrage movement and the social issues illustrated by Jacob Riis through his photographic work.

Comparison of Washington and Du Bois

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois presented two distinct philosophies for African American advancement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Washington, in his famous speech "The Atlanta Compromise," advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance. He believed that African Americans should focus on technical skills and agricultural work to earn respect and acceptance from white society. Washington's approach aimed to foster a gradual improvement in race relations through hard work and economic progress, positing that success in the workforce would eventually lead to social acceptance and, ultimately, equal rights (Washington, 1895).

Conversely, W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent member of the Niagara Movement and the NAACP, argued for immediate civil rights and higher education for the "Talented Tenth" of the African American population. Du Bois emphasized the importance of political activism and challenging systemic racism through agitation and protest. He believed that African Americans should not wait for white society to grant them rights; rather, they should demand their rightful place as citizens of the United States (Du Bois, 1905).

When comparing the two, Washington’s emphasis on patience and economic progress can be seen as pragmatic in a racially oppressive environment. However, his critics argue that it reinforced a submission to systemic racism. In contrast, Du Bois’s call for political and social equality resonates strongly in contemporary social justice movements. In my opinion, Du Bois had a more comprehensive plan that addressed the immediate needs for civil rights and social justice, which remain relevant today.

The Issue of Women's Suffrage

While the suffrage movement sought to secure voting rights for women, not all women agreed on how to achieve this goal or on the methods to be employed. The movement was often divided along lines of race and class. White suffragists, predominantly from middle-class backgrounds, often prioritized their rights over those of women of color, resulting in a racially exclusionary agenda in many aspects of the movement (Karlyn, 1992). However, women of color and their allies, such as Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth, argued that suffrage had to be intertwined with broader issues of racial justice and equality.

Despite their disagreements, the suffrage movement brought together a variety of women’s voices and highlighted the intersectionality of gender and race issues. Different groups employed various strategies ranging from peaceful protests and lobbying to more confrontational tactics. Eventually, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote, yet the struggle did not end for women of color who continued to face significant barriers (Flexner, 1996).

Jacob Riis and Social Reform

Jacob Riis, a journalist and social reformer, sought to address the severe living conditions of impoverished immigrants in urban slums through his work, "How the Other Half Lives." Riis used photography and vivid prose to expose the harsh realities faced by these communities. His use of stark images of overcrowded tenements, rags-clad children, and other scenes of deprivation effectively communicated the severity of social problems, bringing visibility to societal neglect. By publishing his work, Riis aimed to inspire public outrage and action to address the plight of the urban poor (Riis, 1890).

Riis’s approach was significant as it combined journalism and photography to elicit empathy from the middle-class audience, thereby advocating for housing reforms and social services aimed at aiding impoverished populations. His work contributed to the Progressive movement by showcasing the need for government intervention in social welfare issues.

Conclusion

The Progressive Era encapsulated a profound transformation in American society, driven by a desire for reform and social justice across various dimensions. The ideas of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois continue to inform contemporary discussions on race and equality. Likewise, the women's suffrage movement and the social issues highlighted by Jacob Riis emphasize the complexity of social reform. Each of these movements and ideations reflect a commitment to creating a more equitable society, a goal that remains relevant in today’s socio-political landscape.

References

• Du Bois, W.E.B. (1905). The Niagara Movement. Retrieved from [insert link]
• Flexner, Eleanor. (1996). A Century of Struggle: The Women's Rights Movement in the United States. Harvard University Press.
• Karlyn, Kathleen. (1992). The Representation of Women's Suffrage in Nineteenth-Century America. In Women, Culture, and Society.
• Riis, Jacob. (1890). How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York. Scribner.
• Washington, Booker T. (1895). The Atlanta Compromise. Retrieved from [insert link]
• Litton, David. (2001). Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement. University of North Carolina Press.
• Fraser, A. (1989). The African American Experience: A History. Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Sklar, Kathryn Kish. (1998). Women's Rights Emerges within the Anti-Slavery Movement: 1830-1870. In Women's History.
• MacLean, Nancy. (2010). Freedom is Not Enough: The Opening of the American Workplace. Harvard University Press.
• Roberts, J. (2002). A Black Revolutionary: The Life of W.E.B. Du Bois. Twayne Publishers.