All Study Guides Gender in Modern American History Unit 4
🙋🏽♀️ Gender in Modern American History Unit 4 – Gender & Progressive Era ReformsThe Progressive Era saw women at the forefront of social reform. From 1890 to 1920, they fought for better working conditions, temperance, and suffrage. This period challenged traditional gender roles as women entered the workforce and public sphere.
Women's activism during this time had lasting impacts. The suffrage movement led to the 19th Amendment, while labor reforms improved conditions for workers. These efforts laid the groundwork for future social and political movements in America.
Key Concepts and Definitions
Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) period of social activism and political reform in the United States
Muckrakers journalists who exposed social and economic injustices through their writing
Settlement houses community centers that provided social services and education to the poor and immigrants
Temperance movement aimed to limit or ban the production and sale of alcohol
Suffragettes women who advocated for the right to vote
Maternalism belief that women had a unique role in society as mothers and caregivers
Domesticity ideal that women should focus on the home and family life
Historical Context
Rapid industrialization and urbanization led to social and economic challenges
Overcrowding in cities
Poor working conditions in factories
Exploitation of labor, especially women and children
Influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe changed demographics
Rise of the middle class with increased education and leisure time
Victorian era values emphasized separate spheres for men and women
Men in the public sphere of work and politics
Women in the private sphere of home and family
Women's clubs and organizations emerged as a way for women to participate in public life
Gender Roles in the Progressive Era
Traditional gender roles were challenged and redefined during the Progressive Era
Women increasingly entered the workforce, particularly in clerical and factory jobs
Driven by economic necessity and expanding opportunities
Still faced discrimination and lower wages compared to men
Women's roles as consumers and household managers gained importance
Home economics movement emphasized scientific approach to homemaking
Changing attitudes towards marriage and sexuality
Companionate marriage ideal emphasized emotional intimacy and partnership
Birth control movement advocated for women's reproductive rights
Men's roles as providers and protectors were reinforced
Muscular Christianity movement promoted physical fitness and moral character
Women played a significant role in various progressive reform movements
Settlement house movement, led by women like Jane Addams, provided social services to the poor
Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) advocated for alcohol prohibition
Argued that alcohol abuse was a threat to family life and women's safety
National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) fought for women's right to vote
National Association of Colored Women (NACW) addressed issues facing African American women
Focused on education, social services, and civil rights
Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) supported women workers and labor reforms
Purity crusades aimed to combat prostitution and sexual double standards
Women's Suffrage Movement
Long campaign to secure women's right to vote in the United States
Seneca Falls Convention (1848) marked the beginning of the organized suffrage movement
Declaration of Sentiments outlined grievances and demands for women's rights
National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) formed in 1890
Led by Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt
Focused on state-by-state campaigns for suffrage
More militant tactics emerged with the National Woman's Party (NWP) led by Alice Paul
Picketing, hunger strikes, and protests
Ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote nationwide
Women workers faced unique challenges and exploitation in the industrial workforce
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911) highlighted dangerous working conditions for women
Led to increased support for labor reforms and unions
Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) advocated for women workers' rights
Supported strikes and lobbied for protective legislation
Minimum wage laws and maximum hour laws were passed in some states
Muller v. Oregon (1908) upheld Oregon's 10-hour workday for women
National Consumers' League boycotted products made under exploitative conditions
Women played a key role in the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Social and Cultural Changes
New opportunities for women's education and professional development
Women's colleges like Vassar and Wellesley were established
Women entered professions like teaching, nursing, and social work
Rise of the "New Woman" ideal challenged traditional gender norms
More independent, educated, and politically active
Reflected in fashion changes like shorter skirts and bobbed hair
Increased participation in sports and physical activities
Bicycling craze of the 1890s gave women greater mobility and freedom
Birth control movement, led by Margaret Sanger, advocated for reproductive rights
Opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. in 1916
Changing sexual mores and the rise of dating culture
Increased social interaction between young men and women
Challenged traditional notions of courtship and chaperonage
Legacy and Impact
Progressive Era reforms laid the groundwork for later social and political movements
Women's suffrage paved the way for greater political participation and representation
First women elected to Congress in 1916 and 1920
Labor reforms improved working conditions and wages for women and men
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established federal minimum wage and maximum hours
Social welfare programs and government regulations expanded
Laid the foundation for the New Deal and the modern welfare state
Cultural changes in gender roles and expectations continued to evolve
Flappers of the 1920s represented a new ideal of femininity
Women's participation in the workforce increased during World War I and II
Legacy of women's activism and leadership in social reform movements
Inspired future generations of feminists and civil rights activists