Compare And Contrast The Civil War And The Progressive Era

After the conclusion of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, the American Government kept its hands almost entirely off the lives and day to day happenings of both individuals as well as business for over 3 decades. It was the widespread belief of both political leaders, as well as business owners that they should be left alone by government to maximize profits and production, even if it meant the common man, the factory worker, was to left be left behind both by lack of safety and lack of socioeconomic gain. However, the country’s opinion began to shift around the turn of the century, reform was brewing within every aspect of American culture and life. Workers desired greater pay, Citizens desired safer consumable products and more influence

A strong example of the changed mindset brought about during the progressive era is seen in the development of the system of “Scientific Management”. Scientific management derived its purpose from the deep desire within both business and government to function at maximum efficiency. Frederick W. Taylor perfected the philosophy of scientific management by determining the time need to complete factory tasks, then, using that data, advised factories and businesses on how to maximize their production and efficiency. Scientific management even came to impact Government as many progressives believed government could also be made more efficient through this system. Throughout the progressive era, Scientific management drastically changed how American businesses functioned and still effects the nation today. Another example of the philosophical change in the United States during the Progressive Era came by the name of Pragmatism. Before the progressive era, most thinking in America was derived from religion and religious methods of teaching which dominated American Education. But in the early 20th century, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged this way of thinking. Many Americans began to believe that decisions should be made, and children should be taught based on core principles of modern

Before the progressive era, business was left unregulated and free to oppress works and consumers with poor product quality, safety, and low wages and long hours for employees. One reform that contributed to reversing this awful trend came by gradual antitrust and business regulation. The Sherman Anti-Trust act was first passed in 1890, but President Roosevelt became the first President to enforce the law, breaking up so many trusts that he gained the nickname, “Teddy, The trustbuster”. Along with enforcing the business regulations already on the books, many other laws were passed such as the Clayton Antitrust Act which furthered the progress already many. By busting up monopolies and trusts, which has sucked the economy dry leaving much of American Wealth in the hands of a limited number of the nation’s most successful, money flowed back in to the economy and small businesses could once again develop and flourish. Another economic reform made was improving the quality of American consumable goods. The Jungle, published by Upton Sinclair, exposed the true horrors of the unsanitary working and production conditions within the meat packing industry. These horrors outraged a country who had been unknowingly consuming meat that was not even close to sanitary or healthy. The publication led to the