Essay On The Progressive Era

Before the days of labor laws and unions, there was a time in which laws were not able to keep up with a rapidly changing industrial economy. As machinery and technology advanced, so did the possible amount of revenue being generated. Unfortunately, this machinery made it so unexperienced workers, such as children and teenagers, could work hours on end creating products. With little legislation in place, these vulnerable workers were exploited in factories and mills. Many individuals, such as Florence Kelley, called for change by creating speeches that would be presented in large conventions and rallies.

Roosevelt had to save the resources, and use his foresight to pass laws. The laws passed state that you must have permission from the state to tear down land, or face action by the law. This was a hassle, but it was for the better. It saved acres of land. But it slowed down progress of Man’s development of cities.

These reforms included stricter safety standards, shorter work hours, and the elimination of dangerous working conditions. As a result of these efforts, New York and other states began to pass laws that regulated child labor and improved working conditions for all workers. In New York, for example, the state passed the Labor Law of 1913, which prohibited children under the age of 14 from working in factories and required employers to provide safety equipment and training.

People and children would work ridiculous hours for little wages. Children would be put to work in the mines or even at a factory. As quoted from the Clayton Anti-Trust Act, "The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce,"(Document E). In response to these issues, labor laws were created. Woodrow Wilson introduced an eight hour workday, minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor laws to prevent children younger than 14 from working in a factory or

The Progressive movement was a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States. This period of time focused on improving society in the United States—who needed to see change after the negative nation that was brought forth by the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution shifted the United States to a manufacturing economy where products were no longer made solely by hand but by machines, which introduced pollution and hardships for workers. Workers frequently suffered from health problems due to malnutrition, and as cities grew during this period of time there wasn’t enough housing for all the new inhabitants, which affected living conditions for workers. In the workplace, vast quantities of pollution

Roosevelt’s first reform had to deal with the conservation of natural resources. Many ranchers in the west wanted

The Gilded age was a period in the late 1800s (1865-1900) that showed tremendous increase of wealth caused by the industrial age. The lifestyle of the rich during this period hid the many problems of the time that eventually brought about the progressive era movement. This was a movement for reform between 1900-1920s. Progressives typically held that the irresponsible actions of the rich were corrupting both public and private life. Forces such as immigration, the Populist Party and industrialization that led to the progressive era also impacted the American government both in its activeness and its democracy.

Furthermore ,during the Progressive Era,white-middle class women were not allowed to work at the time they were young,single,poor white women,divorcees or African-American women. Usually,they were able to work in agriculture,factories or as servants which were position mainly filled

The progressive era, which occurred between the 1900s and 1920s was an important time in American history. It was a widespread period of social and political reform across the United States that sought to eliminate problems in many different areas of American life, such as education, public health, labor, transportation, and women’s rights (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg. 680). While all the reformers of this time period left a great impact on American politics this essay will primarily address the role of women during the progressive era. These reformers, especially women influenced and changed American politics and government by not only giving the public an opportunity to openly voice and address their concerns, but also by getting the

The fundamental values upon which the United States was established, are embodied in the preamble to the Constitution. It outlines the goals and aspirations that the American people's founding fathers were hoping to achieve. Further, it states that the purpose of the Constitution is to establish laws that promote welfare, liberty, prosperity, and a "more perfect" nation for Americans. Throughout history, America has made significant progress in upholding some ideals outlined in the preamble, such as providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare. However, when addressing justice, it becomes evident that these ideals have not been fully realized.

The Progressive Era was pretty during the first twenty years of the twentieth century due to the fact that the reformers were mainly focused on progress in many different areas. Reformers who were interested in progress tried to improve the life of workers, the poor, rural people, and immigrants. They also tried to improve the education systems, as well as public health systems. Another thing they worked on improving is getting people more involved in politics, make businesses somewhat more responsible, make sure that taxing would be done right, and banning alcohol. They figured that if they could ban alcohol, it would help to increase people’s morals.

Wiebe displays the reforms of the Progressive Era and the changes they were seeking. Wiebe describes the progressive reformers as, “the new middle class” (Robert H. Wiebe 80). Ultimately, this new middle class was looking to reorder the government by themselves. A major reoccurring theme was the focus on the children based on Wiebe’s view of the progressives. This is shown when Wiebe writes, “He united the campaigns for health, education, and a richer city environment, and he dominated much of the interest in labor legislation” (Robert H. Wiebe 82).

Child labor during the 18th and 19th century did not only rapidly develop an industrial revolution, but it also created a situation of difficulty and abuse by depriving children of edjucation, good physical health, and the proper emotional wellness and stability. In the late 1700 's and early 1800 's, power-driven machines replaced hand labor for making most manufactured items. Many of America 's factories needed a numerous amount of workers for a cheap salary. Because of this, the amount of child laborers have been growing rapidly over the early 1800s.

During the Gilded age monopolies, which was cause by corruption, gave companies a lot of power resulting in child labor. In reaction to child labor the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was formed. People were receiving low wages right along with poor working conditions. Along with the low wages and

The New York Newsboys Strike of 1899 led to the recognition of the poor living conditions and life styles of young children in the urban cities. By the 1900’s, at least 18 percent of children were employed. 25 percent of the children working in the Southern cotton mills were below the age of fifteen and half of the 25 percent of the children were below the age of twelve years old. Up until the 20th century, child labor was an essential factor of the American economy and social life. In 1902, Florence Kelley, a founder the social work profession, and Lillian Wald, the founder of the Henry Street Settlement, persuaded the Association of Neighborhood Workers that they should take up the issue of child labor.