5002- The Progressive Era

Week 4 Overview: Progress in Social Welfare, 1895–1929 As you work through this week's activities, keep the following questions in mind: What were the social policy and practice successes and failures of the Progressive Era? How has the Progressive Era impacted the development of social policy and the social work profession? What social policy most interests you and is relevant to current social workers and your own future social work practice? This week, we cover the Progressive Era, social reform, and the social work profession from 1895 to 1929. Although the United States emerged as an industrial leader during the early 20th century, becoming the richest country in the world in the process, it still faced unresolved social, political, and economic challenges. Advances in transportation and communication removed the geographic barriers that led to the misunderstanding that many local problems were in fact national problems. As a result of local and state reform efforts begun in the late 18th century, the national government was forced to implement a unified response to the needs of individuals with mental illness, children, women, and families, both in the workplace and at home. At the same time, while seeking to improve the workplace conditions of women and children and provide social insurance for all workers, progressive reform ignored the plight of oppressed Black people. The interaction among reformers and the conflict with their opponents made the years between 1895 and 1930 a period of remarkable ferment and excitement. The progressive's achievements and their failures profoundly shaped the American future, particularly the emergence and development of an American welfare state. For this discussion, share your thoughts about the Progressive Era, its successes and failures, and the impacts of this era on today's social policy and social work practice. Here are some ideas to get you started: Discuss the contributions of Ida Wells and Jane Addams to social welfare. Examine a success or failure of the social policies and practices of the Progressive Era and explain how it still has an impact today.