Question: Describe the social and political conditions that existed in America just prior to the Progressive Movement. Discuss how the Progressives informed their audiences of these conditions, and explain the extent to which they were successful in reforming several of the problems they addressed.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, America was in a time of major reform. Citizens of the United States were tired of the neglected situations of poor working conditions, overcrowding of cities, political corruption, and abuses by industrialists. A reform group, known as the Progressives took it upon themselves to rally for change. Using many different resources of media, combined with many different organized protests and petitions, …show more content…
The Progressives were set on reforming many of these issues including poor food quality, unsafe child labor, and no women’s suffrage. The Progressives used the different aspects of media to share the issues and gain support. Due to the major industrialization and urbanization during the Industrial Era, there were millions of immigrants and unemployed citizens that were living in poverty. Due to this, they were forced to live in unhealthy, overcrowded tenements (Doc. 1). Another issue prior to the Progressive Movement was unsafe food and meat quality. Before the Progressive movement, there were no food regulation laws such as the Pure Food and Drug Act or the Meat Inspection Act. (Docs. 3 and 6). Additional issues prior to the Movement were child labor and women’s suffrage. Children were working in extremely hazardous working conditions (Doc. 4). Women still had not received the right to vote. (Doc. 7). All these issues were targeted by the …show more content…
With the Progressive reform, cities became cleaner and healthier, the workplaces became safer, and businessmen became more considerate of their workers and customers. The Progressive Era can be compared to the Civil Rights Movement. During the Civil Rights Movement, many people came together in an attempt to change the issue of discrimination against African Americans and segregation. The movement ended in a major success, like the Progressive movement. Both of these movements led to major changes in the US society including new amendments and unifying the nation. The Progressive era was a major period of change and reform in the United States that changed the nation