Free Essay

The Progressive Era

In:

Submitted By donnie27
Words 283
Pages 2
The Progressive Era, (1890s-1920s) was an age of reform, the nation’s response to the industrial revolution. Its effects touched virtually all Americans and transformed the role of government in American society. Although some areas of American life, namely, racial issues and women's rights, were neglected during the progressive age, the groundwork was laid for future reforms in those areas and others.
After reviewing the Progressive Movement of the first two decades, the key principles were Democracy, Municipal Administration, Efficiency, the regulation of large corporations and monopolies, social work, and conservationism. The Progressives failed to achieve all their goals because, despite their efforts, they never fully came to terms with the divisions and conflicts in American society. Again and again, they acknowledged the existence of social disharmony more fully and frankly than had nineteenth-century Americans. Thus progressivism inevitably fell short of its rhetoric and intentions. Lest this seem an unfairly critical evaluation, it is important to recall how terribly ambitious were the stated aims and true goals of the reformers. They missed some of their marks because they sought to do so much. And, despite all their shortcomings, they accomplished an enormous part of what they set out to achieve. No, the first war can't be regarded as a Progressive conflict, that wasn't what the War was about and I would only see it as an impediment for the Progressive Reforms until the rich who had fought alongside commoners had returned and then it increased.

Bowles, M. (2011). A history of the United States since 1865. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
America in the 20th Century: The Progressive Era. (2002). Retrieved March 27, 2013, from Cosmeo: http://www.cosmeo.com/

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Progressive Era

...The progressive era was shaped by events that happened during the Gilded Age. These events were largely political, economic and social in nature, aspects which are central to the life of Americans till this day. During the Gilded era, one can see the scenario where there was a struggle between the status quo of the white upper class and larger percentage of people that were mostly poor laborers. Professor Kelley talks about the wealth being concentrated only among one percentage of the citizens. As the era came to an end to usher in the progressive era, aspects of labor unions, women's groups, politics and the macro economy had matured. Labor unions were formed during the Gilded Era to fight for workers rights and negotiate with employers on important affairs. The union leaders succeeded in many ways by championing industrial strikes that forced employers to the discussion table. For instance, the Railway Strike of 1877 is one of the most notable actions by workers to show their disapproval of the system. At this time, women also took the cue and formed groups that would empower them socially and economically. This because of the realization that unions were more effective since they were better organized and negotiated collectively. Ultimately, American woman’s rights began to be recognized bit by bit on matters concerning social independence and economical space during the Gilded Era. One positive aspect which the Gilded era contributed to the Progressive era was the maturity...

Words: 358 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Progressive Era

...The Progressive Era, which occurred during the twentieth century, was the industrialization and improvement of the nation. Some of the transformations that occurred during this period were in manufacturing and labor forces. The twentieth century altered production systems from being primitive to being modern and efficient. Towards the beginning of the twentieth century industrialization increased rapidly and mass production became more common. Henry Ford presented the first automobile assembly line as a method of producing cars more quickly, and much of the automobile industry adopted this technique. The assembly line of production spread all across the country to various different industries allowing them to convert to mechanized production....

Words: 960 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Progressive Era DBQ

...At the start of the 20th century, America entered the Progressive Era, after a period known as the Gilded Age, where the wealth distribution in the United States became drastically uneven, with the rise of trusts and corporations. The unfortunate result of this process was extremely poor living conditions for a large proportion of the nation’s population (Doc B). The progressives recognised these horrendous conditions and set out to make reforms across a wide variety of areas. These reforms were successful economically, politically, and socially, except in regard to the black population. A major area of improvement to the nation was through societal changes, which included women’s and children’s rights, as well as better regulation in the food industry. Prior to the reforms of the era, women were forced to work long hours within the poor conditions of factories. These were protested by progressives, culminating...

Words: 792 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Monopolies In The Progressive Era

...In the broad context, there was a large build-up to the Progressive Era, that truly began after the conclusion of the American Civil war, when the Reconstruction Era Began. The reconstruction Era was the U.S. essentially trying to build itself and find itself, thus leading to vast growth. Too much of a good thing is not such a good thing, however, and this lead to the Gilded Age. A Period of political machines, monopolies, harsh industrial conditions, and many other horrendous happenings. The goal of the Progressive Era was to fix these issues. (Contextualization) Progressive reforms were remarkably successful in achieving the improvement of society, primarily by implementing more tolerable working conditions and ending corruption in politics....

Words: 989 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Dbq On The Progressive Era

...The Progressive Era reformers and the Federal Government was not effective in bringing about reform at the national level because the reforms left out people that are still marginalized. African Americans, women, and immigrants are the groups of people that have been discriminated during the Progressive Era because of their race or gender. The food manufacturing industry and child labor laws are the only things that have successfully transformed, but they are nothing compared to the discrimination that certain people in the United States have faced. The discrimination towards African Americans during the Progressive area was tremendous. During 1890-1920 America was growing rapidly, which meant there was numerous opportunities for people to have a better life style. This was not the case for most African Americans because they were still being discriminated. They were being publicly humiliated, treated differently for political reasons, and even had differing access to things such as health care and their education. The way African Americans have been treated has not drastically changed over time proving that the Progressive Era was not successful not only for African Americans, but also for women. Women of all races have...

Words: 1112 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Essay On The Progressive Era

...PROGRESSIVE ERA: GAINS and LOSES The Progressive era was a short period of time from 1890-1920 in which a talented group of intelligent, middle class, and well educated people brought important and long-lasting changes to America at the local and state level. Several of these changes became federal laws or amendments to the Constitution. Unfortunately, some areas in American life failed to change and are still being dealt with today. Progressives believed that inequality, corporate greed, and no protection for poor workers violated the Constitution’s promise of “a more perfect union.” The wealth of the Gilded Age, increased by new methods of industry was built on the low wages paid to workers, especially children. Mother Jones has suffered tragedy in her personal life,...

Words: 541 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Essay On The Progressive Era

...Problems of the Progressive era The progressive age was one of wonders and progression throughout our country. Even with all the things that were being done for the better such as food regulations, machines, and rights for some, there were terrible things that happened due to rapid industrialization and immigration. Things such as poor health and sanitation, and terrible working conditions. Social and environmental reforms were brought forward during this time also to better our country.I feel these things were searched out and most of them fixed, while others were not but no matter what are country is a better place because of these reforms.. All over America unsafe things were falling into the meat in meat packaging plants and people were adding additives to milk such as chalk or plaster. Progressive journalist (such as Upton Sinclair) exposed these unsafe practices to the public, causing a public outcry for change. The results of the outcry was the 1906 Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and the Drug Act. While there was also a pure milk campaign to better milk quality to help, drop child and infant death rates.There were also environmental abuses from companies poisoned the air and water with pollution, and urban slums were lacking water and sewer systems causing disease or death from poor sanitation. The...

Words: 938 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Dbq On The Progressive Era

...The Progressive Era was a time between 1890 and 1920 that was all about change. The goal of the leaders was to get rid of problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and corruption in the government. People fought and expressed their opinions through various ways like the formation of strikes and creation of organizations. Many children, of immigrants and lower class, helped their family make money by getting small jobs at factories, sometimes even working alongside their mothers. Mothers often brought their children to work since they did not have anyone to watch them at home, so children were given jobs to make use of the time they were there. This prevented many children from going to school. These jobs were in poor, unsanitary, and unsafe working conditions. It was not uncommon for children to lose their fingers or other limbs when they got caught in the machines. Many businesses hired children because they were easy to train, fast, and worked for low wages. The picture shows children working in a factory with no adult supervision. The children were so small they had to stand on the thread machine. During the Progressive Era, organizations were made to get children out of factories and into schools. This later led to child labor laws and an increase in public schools....

Words: 636 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Populism And Progressive Era

...The era between 1895 and 1920 included a series of movements, each aiming in one way or another to renovate or restore american society, values, and institutions by imposing change from above and by exercising influence from below. The Populists and Progressive were one of them movements that occurred during the outbreaks of the workers union after the civil war. The populists began after the civil war.Whereas the progressive began in World War 1 eve. Populist party was found by farmers in order to protect their rights and powers of common people in their struggle against the privileged elite. Because of the fact that was found by people, they decided to call it Populism, which is derived from populus, the Latin word for “people”. They drew...

Words: 534 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

During The Progressive Era

...The progressive era was a time of advancement in many areas in the public and also a time that gave birth to many inventions such as the automobile. However, during this time our country faced many other problems. Race and gender played a huge role in the limits of progressive reform because of how society had viewed women and other races that were living in The United States. Women were oppressed as well as different races, especially blacks, who were segregated. However it was during this progressive era where a lot of things changed, especially for woman and we were able to move forward as a country. Education had a factor for both race and gender. For different races, statistics have shown different levels of education and how important people would take it. Jewish immigrants were seen as smart and took their studies seriously and were therefore more found in renowned jobs like doctors or lawyers. This in turn made the government eliminate night schools to counter this "problem." Women were also forced to take "woman-like" classes such as nursing and teaching. Because of this, progression was hindered because of how oppressed genders and races were in achieving higher education. Education was limited to women, for example, some schools did not accept women. The rate that schools were producing graduates was also hindered with the elimination of night school. Studies that were taken during this era showed results of different races having different levels of intelligence spread...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Women During The Progressive Era

...The Progressive Era has impacted today's society socially and economically. It is true that some of the impacts are damaging, however, most have brought America to where it is today has a first world nation. Social reforms restructured how woman are seen in the eyes of society. Also through breaking bad trusts President Roosevelt helped make the American economy stable enough to last us through World War l. Before the Progressive Era, men saw woman as the less superior sex compared to themselves. During the Progressive Age, through protests and other such movements, woman won the right to vote with the ratification of the Constitution. Although winning the right to vote did not make woman entirely equal to males in all aspects of life,...

Words: 447 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Progressive Era Research Paper

...The Progressive Era was a rough time for the United States. The country needed to be fixed. During the Progressive Era, there were many different movements all trying to achieve different goals to fix the country. Although they were all different, they had one thing in common. They were all trying to improve American Society. One of the movements during this time was the education reform movement. The education reform movement was an important movement and even though it faded, it had a lasting impact on society. The goal of the education reform movement was to improve the education for students and the working conditions for teachers. American schools and education needed to be reformed. Most students weren’t properly educated during this...

Words: 403 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gilded Era Vs Progressive Era Essay

...Historians still debate whether the Gilded and Progressive eras should be classified as either a “Long Progressive Era” or remaining it as two separate time periods. However in this essay, I will argue that both eras should be divided into two eras due to the rise of third parties, regulations in big businesses and improvements in public health. The historical trends discuss why the Gilded Age should be separated from the years, 1865 to 1879 and the Progressive Era from 1880-1920s. The Gilded Age should be renamed the era of unsolved problems as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused strikes, poverty and the mistreatment of workers. The Progressive era should be rename the era of action, as government increased...

Words: 497 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Progressive Era Deaveon Sharpe

...The Progressive Era DeAveon Sharpe The Progressive Era was a period of widespread social activism and political reform that spread across the United States, from the 1890s to the 1920s. The main reason for the Progressive movement were to eliminate the problems like industrialization, urbanization, immigration and corruption.At this time immigrants could migrate without so many problems like, them not being able to escape from being slaves, the literacy test, and etc. Also not having to pay to vote after immigrating with no education or money. The children during the progressive era/ industrial revolution worked hard hours for little or no pay. Children as young as six years old worked up to 19 hours...

Words: 571 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Negative Effects Of The Progressive Era

...The Industrial Age of America was a revolutionary and progressive time in the country’s history. As it was so revolutionary, the time period left many lasting effects, great and poor, on the lives of those living through the time period. As with all progressing times, there are positive elements and negative elements. This period was seen as a sort of grim and dark looking time, and at first glance it is very easy to think as such. Manure factories whose smell would seep into a worker’s skin and make the odor permanent, funerals and proper burials of bodies were a rarity in big cities, and care for crippled and sick children being scarce were just a few examples of how poor some circumstances amounted to. Although there were many negatives to this era, many positives also existed through this generation....

Words: 360 - Pages: 2