Columbus North High School

Industrialism & Reform

The Populists and the Progressives

The Industrial Age brought a higher standard of living to many Americans and helped bring about a “society of plenty’ that became the envy of the world. But this radical transformation of society was not without its costs. The wretched living conditions of the tenements, the abject poverty that plagued so many of the workers, the racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination, and the staggering abuse of women and children in the workforce are all examples of that cost. America was not blind to the abuse or deaf to the roar of the oppressed. The American people harnessed the “can do” attitude that helped conquer the frontier and produce the Age of the Machine, to bring about the reforms needed to make the American ideal of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” a reality. In this webquest you will research the reform movements of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Populism and Progressivism.

Objectives:

1. Students will compare and contrast the Populist and Progressive reform

movements.

2. Students will evaluate the impact of the Populist and Progressive

movements on American society.

3. Students will analyze the impact of the Populist and Progressive movements

on the role of women in American society.

The Tasks

1. Write a minimum 3 page typed paper on the following prompt.

To what extent did the economic, political, and social reforms of the Populist and

Progressive eras change the role of women in American society?

You must use a minimum of 4 primary sources with quotes from the documents, and 4 secondary sources to support your answer. A complete and correct bibliography must be included. The paper must be typed with a 12 point Times New Romanor Rockwell font. Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar are expected.

2 Create a power point on the history and accomplishments of the Populist and

Progressive movements in America. Your work should be biased presentation

to be presented to a group of non-Americans that carry a long held belief that America is an evil nation concerned only with the acquisition of wealth and the

power needed to exploit the environment and society to get it.

The Power Point must detail the beginnings of the movement, the struggles to

bring about reform, the important people and events that instituted the reforms,

and the accomplishments of these movements. All Power Points must have sound

and video with an accurate array of visuals to accentuate your points. Bibliography

of a minimum of 8 sources.

You may work with a partner on #1 or a group of 3 on #2. All work is due by Monday, February 2.