Progressive Era in Photographs
Tyler Tomoda, Josue Hernandez - 3rd
What is Progressive Era
Women's League, Newport, Rhode Island (1900)
They were organizing to create better conditions for women who worked inside and outside of home.
Was it staged?
Yes, this picture was taken for the 1900 Paris Exposition.
What theme does it represent?
This shows both progressive reform and women's rights.
Analysis:
This photo shows that women of color were able to organize so that they could have a positive impact. The fact that this photo was purposefully taken shows the respect for this group.
Link
https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/progressiveera/africanamericanreform.html
Tenement Living
There's no one in the beds which seems to show that the photographer asked permission to photograph the inside of a tenement apartment.
What theme does it represent?
Urban Life
Analysis:
Because of overcrowding, many people had to live in small apartments. These tenements were usually filled with immigrants who had no other choice about where to live. The close contact and overcrowding made these buildings dangerous places for fire or disease to spread easily.
Link
Progressive Reformers
These women wanted better meat processing.
What are they doing?
They are protesting the unsafe way that meat was processed.
Analysis:
It is likely that this protest came after the novel The Jungle was published. This novel exposed the health violations and unsafe way meat was packaged.
Link
http://lensofhistory.com/2014/10/15/muller-v-oregon-another-view-progressive-era/
Political Reform
No, this looks like a candid shot of Roosevelt speaking with voters.
What theme does it represent?
It represents political reform.
Analysis:
Roosevelt was a leader during the progressive era. He fought for an end to monopolies and trusts.
Link
http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-roosevelts/about/episode-guide/episode-three/
Muckrakers & Reformers
This photo shows child labors working in unsafe conditions.
What themes does it show?
This photo shows industrialization, the poor working conditions for children, and the publication of this condition by muckrakers.
Analysis:
Because of these journalists, the American public learned more about what was happening in factories, and this made them push for reforms.
Link