Skip to Main Content

Lesson

The Progressive Era

Guiding question

How did beliefs about the role of national government change during the period after the Civil War?

Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
The U.S. Capitol building surrounded by trees and flowers under a clear blue sky.
Part of the Civil War’s legacy was a shift in the role of the national government. The defeat of the South, Reconstruction, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government growing power over the states and the people. The Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government power (though exactly how much power was still being debated) to ensure state laws did not violate the rights of the freedmen. Additional amendments during the Progressive Era (the 1890s - 1920s) continued this transfer of power to the national government. In the name of giving power to the people, the national government was given power to tax incomes; states lost their representation in Congress, the manufacture and sale of alcohol was banned, and women achieved the right to vote.

Guiding Questions

  • How did beliefs about the role of national government change during the period after the Civil War?
  • How did the Progressives’ expectations and goals for government differ from those of the Founders?
  • How did Progressives change the structure and function of U.S. government?

Objectives

  • Define Progressive.
  • Explain the connections between socialism and progressivism.
  • Analyze the differences between the Founders and Progressive view of government.
  • Describe the Progressive Amendments.

Materials

Educator Resources

Student Handouts

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Founders vs. Progressives Quote Cards
ActivityHandout B: Founders vs. Progressives – Amendment Analysis
EssayEssay: The Progressive Era

Part of the Civil War’s legacy was a shift in the role of the national government. The defeat of the South, Reconstruction, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government growing power over the states and the people. The Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government power (though exactly how much power was still being debated) to ensure state laws did not violate the rights of the freedmen. Additional amendments during the Progressive Era (the 1890s - 1920s) continued this transfer of power to the national government. In the name of giving power to the people, the national government was given power to tax incomes; states lost their representation in Congress, the manufacture and sale of alcohol was banned, and women were given the right to vote.

Sign in as an educator to view teacher materialsSign in →

Lesson plan

Click a phase to open it

Key Terms

Constitution
Democracy
Eighteenth Amendment
Equality
Federalism

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

Related materials

A historical black and white photo of a line of men wearing hats, waiting outside a building.
LessonUnit 6 Civics Connection: The Role of Government According to the Founders and the Progressives

A review lesson for Unit 6 (1898-1945) that will help students review key events of the period related to Foreign Policy and how they connect to Founding principles.

A free social studies curriculum that explores the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
CurriculumGilded Age and Progressive Era

How did Americans at the turn of the 20th century address the rapid technological, demographic, and economic changes around them? Provide students an in-depth look at this formative period in United States history. Through primary-source-based activities and engaging narratives, students will be exposed to this fascinating period and analyze its numerous parallels to today.

Illustration of a globe with landmasses in brown and a dark ocean on a light brick background.
VideoThe Gilded Age and Progressive Era: #VoicesofHistory
A man speaking in front of a blue background, promoting a U.S. history webinar on the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.
VideoAP U.S. History Prep Episode #7 | The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era (1860-1920)

In this episode, we will focus on economic and political developments of the Gilded Age and the Progressive era, with a focus on comparing the relationship between government and big business during these two periods.