John Dewey: Vermont During The Progressive Era

The twentieth century only saw an increase in the industrialization and urbanization that began in the nineteenth century. The new social, political and economic problems that began to emerge due to all of the changes developing in America during these times led to a need for reform. Reform was needed throughout society whether it was in regards to immigrants, civil rights, regulating trusts, or woman’s rights to name a few. These problems extended equally into the problems that educational progressives sought out to reform. John Dewey is commonly used as the embodiment of progressive era reformation ideas but there were others as well, such as Grace C. Strachan, George Counts, and Booker T. Washington.

His education was astounding. While he was in high school he was considered the class clown and made C averages. After high school graduating Penncrest High School in 1962, he joined the United States Navy. He served a four year term in the Navy before continuing his education. He got his bachelor's degree in Gallaudet University in 1970 . His Master's degree in Psychology at University of Tennessee in 1971. He also got his PHD in Psychology

During the Progressive Era, the election of 1912 featured candidates with different ideas for reform. While all of the presidents worked to correct problems during the Progressive Era, President Roosevelt was the most progressive president because he fought for workers rights, regulated business, and conserved land and resources.

“There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” (Woodrow Wilson) This quote from one of the most progressive presidents of all time, really represents what the progressives were after during their movement; during the Progressive Era, American citizens were looking for change socially, politically, and economically due to urbanization and industrialization. Although all 3 of the early 20th century presidents were progressive in their reforms, Theodore Roosevelt was the most progressive out of these because he regulated business, fought for labor reform, and conserved natural resources.

Born December 5, 1895, Elbert Frank Cox earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Indiana. In 1925, he became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. He taught for 40 years at West Virginia State College and Howard University. After he retired, Howard established a scholarship fund in Cox's name to encourage future Black mathematicians. Elbert Frank Cox was born on December 5, 1895 in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University in 1917, Cox served in World War I and then pursued a career in teaching. In 1925, he earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University, becoming the first African American to earn the degree in the United States and, in fact, the world. After earning his degree,

John F. Kennedy was born May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He went to college at Harvard. He was in the navy during WW2 before he was president. He was also a senator. His father was an ambassador and his grandfather was in politics. They influenced JFK to get into politics.

Which of the primary features of grassroots Progressivism was the most essential to the continued growth and success of the reformist movement? Why?

Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency marked the beginning of a very liberal period in American history. This new ‘Progressive Era’ was mobilized largely by the middle class as an attempt to put an end to the problems created by the period of excess that was the Gilded Age. Believing that big business was ruining democracy, and assuming a moral obligation to shield the poor and downtrodden from corrupt capitalists, the Progressives commenced an era of sweeping reforms. From the outset, the Progressive movement targeted domestic issues such as political machines, monopolies, and factory regulations. While President Roosevelt—the face of the Progressive movement—frequently became entangled in global affairs during his time in the Whitehouse, the focus of Progressives during this stage remained primarily on domestic concerns. It was not until after Roosevelt’s presidency that the Progressives followed their patron’s lead, becoming active participants in foreign affairs. Theodore Roosevelt’s exit from the spotlight and subsequent return to politics in 1912 caused the Progressives to split from the Republican Party, and when war broke out in Europe in 1914, Progressives were then divided amongst themselves regarding how the Great War should be handled from afar. As foreign policy issues became a larger concern than domestic issues, the Progressives shifted their attention away from home and toward foreign policy.

Reform was the goal of the Progressive movement, and with that in mind the reformers had great success. Progressive reformers were made up primarily of middle class men and women whose two main goals were to limit the trusts and to improve conditions of life and labor. These people were part of both political parties at the time, as well as in all regions of the country, and in all levels of the government. They wanted to remove bribed members of the legislature so that just laws and regulations were made that would benefit the people rather than the power-hungry corporations. This major movement altered all aspects of life creating a better living and working environment for people. The Progressive Era reformers and federal

Hayden was born on August 4, 1913. His parents separated before that, and he spent most of his time in foster care. Hayden was interested in reading which helped him to became a good writer. After high school in 1932, he received a scholarship to the Detroit City College (now Wayne State University). In addition, in 1936, he finished his degree and became interested in African-American history and culture. Robert was very interested in writing as a poet when he was a child. However, in 1940, he began her career as a poet, and he published his first anthology: Heart-Shape in the Dust. Moreover, Robert got married to Erma Inez and converted to her religion. In 1944, he graduated from Michigan with master degree,

Albert Pike was born on December 29, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. Pike was one of the six children with the parents of Benjamin Pike and Sarah Andrews. He went to public schools in Byfield, Newburyport, and Framingham, Massachusetts. His education provided him with a background in classical and contemporary literature and in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. He took and passed an exam to enter Harvard at sixteen. He was unable to pay the tuition at Harvard, so he began to teach, and started working at schools

George Dewey was born on December 26, 1837 in Montpelier, Vermont. He grew up in Montpelier and attended school

John Dewey is one of many who impacted education greatly. I believe John Dewey made such a big impacted on education because of his different beliefs with how students learned. His revolutionary ideas during his life, that remain fundamentally important to modern schooling today. Dewey had a new philosophy and ideas on how students learn and how teachers should teach. He believed that people learn by doing, and learn from a hands on approach. He also thought for this to be able to happen, students had to interact with their environment to better adapt and learn. Dewey also thought that teachers and students must learn together, which was a very interesting concept to me because I think people, even adults should always be learning. I think John Dewey says it best when he says “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Born on March 8, 1848, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began his journey of life in Jersey, Ohio. Although little is known about his childhood or family, he was a very bright and creative child, foreshadowing his great success with roller coasters. After being a skilled carpenter by the age of 12, L.A. Thompson went to Hillsdale College, which is a private college in Michigan. He attended Hillsdale in order

Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts to John Thoreau and Cynthia Dunbar. Thoreau studied at Harvard College and took various courses