Why Were the Progressives Like Velveeta Cheese?

A 1974 Kraft Cheese Commercial (though not what inspired the title of this lecture!)

This, however, was the commercial that inspired the title:



There's no single cheese like Velveeta? What Kraft is trying to say is even they aren't sure what it contains, because it contains so many contradictory things that we don't really want to discuss!

The Progressives are a little like Velveeta Cheese because we tend to lump a lot of different campaigns for social change together under the banner of "Progressivism" yet many of these campaigns had vastly different aims and inspirations.

As you have read in your textbook, the Progressives included well meaning upper middle-class white women like Jane Addams who starts Hull House in an effort to make life better for immigrant women who have not yet discovered the joys of living like middle class white women.  Another "Progressive" impulse led another group of middle-class white women into Appalachia where they taught southern mountain folk the value of baking powder and flour biscuits in an attempt to lead them away from the backward practice of baking cornbread!

The Progressive impulse is an important one, and we will discuss it in great detail. As a political movement the Progressives were not only incredibly successful, passing FOUR amendments to the Constitution of the United States, their ideas remain current - perhaps more current than we would like to admit.

Here are some links to help us discuss Progressivism:

A discussion of the Corbett-Sullivan fight (that took place right here in New Orleans!) Why were the Marquis of Queensbury rules for boxing a Progressive idea, even though they were incorporated in 1892, before the main of the "Progressive Era?" Can we justifiably define the Progressive Era in chronological terms? If not, how should we define it?

As this advertisement humorously indicates, people began worrying more about health and fitness in the Progressive Era. Imagine if all products were as effective as "Rondo" promises!

Lastly, when we consider "ballot reform," prohibition, and eugenics, we should be careful of Progressives  bearing gifts. Consider Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.'s opinion in Buck vs. Bell . Ruled in 1924, like the Corbett-Sullivan fight, it takes place outside of what we consider the "Progressive Era." Why is this important when considering the legacy of the Progressives? What might we consider Progressive impulses in our society today?