Causes Of Crime In The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era was a time of social activism and political reform throughout the United States. From roughly 1890 – 1920, a diverse group of people participated in this movement toward social, economic, and political change. Progressives’ primary goal was to stop government corruption starting at the state level and working their way up to national government. Public education, women’s rights, religion, and the legal system were just a few parts of society these activists sought to reform. Urban growth and rapid industrial development combined with increased immigration resulted in high crime rates; especially in larger cities. Progressives called for the reform of a “broken” penal system and for stronger penalties for criminals. However,

Homicide dramatically increased during the beginning of the twentieth century. There was a higher incidence of homicide among men, especially black men, in the South. “One explanation for this increase could be that, by the turn of the century, a number of states were admitted into the union, thus potentially increasing the rates. Further, in a number of major metropolitan cities in the east the trend also evidenced increased homicides”5 Factors which contributed to the rise of homicides were both an increase in population through births and the rise of immigrants entering the United States. On the other hand, crimes of morality, such as prostitution, gambling, abortion, and illegal alcohol consumption, were on a decline. Red light districts were being shut down as well as the sale of illegal alcohol because “America was beginning to see renewed enforcement of laws”6 During this time, Americans witnessed crimes of violence like the countrywide race riots, where many were killed, hundreds were injured and thousands were left homeless. Conflict also existed in the form of corporate greed where laborers would fight big business, which often resulted in violence in the form of strikes and demonstrations. These events paved the way for the organization of unions, meant to protect the working man against corrupt business. Two connections can be made between the theme of greed and violent crime in the case of Robert Jefferson. Burglary was (and still is), considered a violent crime in the United States. Mr. Jefferson broke the padlock on the door to Mary Lake’s home with the intent of committing a felony; burglary. The defendant’s greed was his motivation for breaking and entering into the home. Arthur Cooper witnessed the burglary as his documented testimony reflects: “A. When I got up there, the door was on a jar, and I rapped, and that