Summary of Changing Values Progressive Era

00:00:00 - 00:20:00

In the "Changing Values Progressive Era" YouTube video, the speaker explores the background of the Progressive Era, which emerged around the turn of the 20th century in response to changing values in American society. Prior to this period, the big six values of the landed frontier, including opportunity, survival of the fittest, pragmatism, rugged individualism, laissez faire, and social mobility, were widely accepted. However, as the industrial frontier developed and individuals had to compete against each other for resources in an urban setting, these values became less applicable. The speaker emphasizes that understanding this background is essential for discussing the progressive era's key issues, such as labor and consumer problems, and the role of muckraking in bringing about change. The progressive era saw a shift away from these traditional values and towards a greater role for the federal government in regulating industry and protecting the rights of labor and consumers. This is explored further through the concepts of the Square Deal and the New Freedom. Additionally, the speaker discusses the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and its impact on addressing trusts and monopolies, as well as the economic and psychological insecurities that led to government intervention and the beginning of policies aimed at guaranteeing economic security for individuals.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the video, the speaker discusses the background of the Progressive Era, focusing on the changing values in American society during this period. Prior to the Progressive Era, which began around the turn of the 20th century, the big six values of the landed frontier, including opportunity, survival of the fittest, pragmatism, rugged individualism, laissez faire, and social mobility, were widely accepted. These values were based on the idea of man versus the environment, with competition seen as a positive force. However, as the industrial frontier developed, these values became less applicable. In an urban setting, individuals could not rely on the natural environment to survive, and instead had to compete against each other for resources. This type of competition proved problematic, as the weaker individuals in society were unable to keep up with the giants of industry, such as Rockefeller and Carnegie. The damage inflicted on this majority of the population led to a growing dissatisfaction with these values and the social and economic conditions they produced. The speaker emphasizes that understanding this background is essential for discussing the progressive era and its key issues, such as labor and consumer problems, and the role of muckraking in bringing about change. The progressive era saw a shift away from these traditional values and towards a greater role for the federal government in regulating industry and protecting the rights of labor and consumers. This is explored further in the video through the concepts of the Square Deal and the New Freedom.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the "Changing Values Progressive Era" YouTube video, the speaker discusses the social abuses that emerged during the industrial revolution and the westward expansion of the late 1800s. These abuses, such as pooling and rebates, served the interests of the strong while not necessarily benefiting society as a whole. The dissatisfaction with these abuses built up from the 1860s to the 1890s, leading to a demand for a new value system where government would protect citizens from social abuses. This era marked the foundation of the political discourse around the role of government in individual lives, which is still relevant in current debates. The new value system that emerged during this time was trust regulation, aimed at regulating monopolies and corporations that acted against consumers and labor. However, the lack of effective regulation at the federal level due to the chartering of corporations by states and narrow interpretations of the constitution by the Supreme Court hindered the implementation of trust regulation until the Sherman Antitrust Act was enacted in 1890.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Changing Values Progressive Era," the speaker discusses the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and its impact on addressing trusts and monopolies. The act, which declared trusts and monopolies illegal, left the definition of these terms vague, leading to ineffective judicial regulation. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the act was business-friendly, and the legislature and executive failed to amend or enforce it due to the strong influence of social Darwinistic political philosophy that prioritized capitalism over labor. As a result, big businesses used the act to enforce their will against labor, such as during the Pullman Strike of 1893-1894. The concentration of industry and transportation into large trusts and holding companies, like U.S. Steel, grew rapidly between 1890 and 1910, with one percent of manufacturers accounting for 44 percent of total industrial output. This situation was detrimental to both labor and the overall economy.
• 00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Changing Values Progressive Era," the speaker discusses how the rapid industrial growth during the late 1800s led to economic and psychological insecurities for individuals. As a result, government intervention became necessary to address these issues. The progressive era marked the beginning of government policies aimed at guaranteeing economic security for individuals, such as the New Deal during the Great Depression. This shift in values established the precedent for a new value system in America, where the government had a responsibility to provide for the economic and social rights of its citizens. This debate between old values, which emphasized individual equal opportunity, and new values, which prioritized government intervention, continues to be a central political issue in America today.
• 00:20:00 In this section of the "Changing Values Progressive Era" YouTube video, the speaker begins to outline the next learning objective. They explain that they will start defining the Progressive Era and its boundaries, inviting viewers to join them in the upcoming discussion. The Progressive Era refers to the period of social activism and political reform in the United States that spanned from the 1890s to the 1920s. This era was marked by a shift in values, with a focus on addressing social issues, promoting social justice, and increasing the power of the government to regulate businesses and protect citizens.