Child Labor and Its Reform

1. Addams and her colleagues at Hull House fervently battled against the cruel exploitation of young workers in American factories, leading eventually to the enactment of child labor laws. What were the harsh realities faced by children laboring in the factories of the 1890s, and what efforts were undertaken to transform these grim conditions? At what point was child labor officially prohibited?

The Inspiration of Toynbee Hall

2. The inception of the first settlement house, Toynbee Hall, in London's East End, left a lasting impression on Addams. Who was Toynbee, and who were the visionaries behind the creation of Toynbee Hall? What is the intriguing story behind this pioneering settlement house?

The Admirable Governor John Altgeld

3. Among the myriad of public figures Addams encountered, none captured her admiration quite like Governor John Altgeld of Illinois. What is the trajectory of Altgeld's public life? What were the reasons for his fall from public favor?

The Political Landscape of Chicago

4. Addams fiercely opposed the reign of political ward bosses in Chicago, though her efforts to dismantle it met with little success. Delve into the political landscape under more recent Chicago mayors and examine the evolution of the ward system post-Addams. You may wish to contrast it with the notorious Tammany Hall political machine of New York.

Controversy at Haymarket Square

5. Addams's popularity waned due to her association with the anarchists accused of instigating the 1886 Haymarket Square riot. Investigate and narrate the events of the riot and the trials that followed.

Pioneers of Social Change

6. Many of Addams's contemporaries played pivotal roles in reshaping social conditions in America. Chronicle the achievements of one such associate, like Julia Lathrop, Florence Kelley, Dr. Alice Hamilton, or Dr. Grace Meigs.

The Progressive Party Platform of 1912

7. In 1912, Addams contributed to crafting the Progressive Party's platform and staunchly supported Theodore Roosevelt's presidential campaign. What were the key elements of that groundbreaking platform? Why did Roosevelt ultimately face defeat?

The Philosophical Lens of Jane Addams

8. Jane Addams's book Democracy and Social Ethics lays bare her philosophy of client-centered social work. What are the central tenets of this philosophy? What evidence does Addams present to bolster her ideas?