The Progressive Era was a time period in American history during the 1890s to 1920s. This era was a period in which, activist stood up for the in just. For example, women’s suffrage. The National American Women Suffrage Association fought for equality, like women’s right to vote. This was just a time period to where many different organizations stood up for what’s right. They also eliminated corruption in the government. While at the same time, they developed antitrust laws, to make equal competition for competitors.
The Progressive Ear was a period of time that a few people took advantage of the willing. At the turn of the century, America was experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization. As a result, the goals of the Progressive Era were to try and solve problems within the American Society that’s occurred during the industrial growth. Basically, there was a huge gap between the rich population and the poor population. The Progressive Era set goals to make the playing field more close related as possible.
To achieve said goals, they aimed to remove any corruption and undue influence from the government. While at the same time, they enforce the government to help bring fairness into economic matters. The government would eventually establish safer workplaces, while also enforcing better treatment of the workers. When something new hits the scene, you will always have some sort of unknown. That was how industrialization was to America. It seems to have happen so fast, and nobody took the time to so called police how industrialization would impact the working citizens.
The economic change to the economy with the expansion of factory work was for more beneficial than one’s well-being. For example, industrial safety. This issue of safety was a big deal at the start 20th century. Working if factories was very dangerous during those times. If an accident happens, it was very difficult to hold factories accountable for deaths and injuries. I was just a common situation to have deaths in factories, on railroads, and many other forms of employment. Because during that time there wasn’t any federal regulations of safety and no enforcement of state or local safety regulations.
However, today companies remind their employees on a monthly basis about safety in the work place. Because of government organizations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). I do think the Progressive Era somewhat succeeded at their task up until World War I. The Progressive Era influenced the American military during World Warl by somewhat diverting attention from the economic and social problems at home. Progressions were divided. Some of the Procreations’ were ready to impose war, while others were against said war.
On the other hand, some Progressives opposed for a World War because they had a mindset of protecting their loans that was in relations with Allied Nations with countries such as Great Britain. “As late as the eve of American entry into the war, Wilson himself strongly expressed the conviction that war and progressivism were irreconcilable. “Every reform that we have won,” he declared, “will be lost if we go into this war” (Kahne Parsons). But once the war started, Wilson figured war would make the world a safer place and would eventually help social matters back in America.
War during the Progression Ear was also a way to try and spread its intent beyond America. The Progressive Era unravel after World Warl because people’s minds were much worried about the effects that were cause by war. “In retrospect, it is clear that Progressives had always been too diverse to remain united and cohesive as a national political organization” Kahne Parsons). However, the mere thought of war was much more on people’s minds than that of an organization’s attempt to make a level playing field.
In summary, the legacy of the Progressive Era continues to mold our 21st society by the actions of our current government. For example, after graduating college in 2011, Eugene Lim spent around two years trying to find a job that involved his college degree. “After a serious mauling from a stray dog landed him in an emergency room, Lim was left with an $11,000 hospital bill he couldn’t pay” (Isaiah Poole). “That’s when he began to redirect his anger” (Isaiah Poole). Due to his current state of wealth, he eligible for Illinois’ Medicaid insurance program.
He caught wind of Illinois Governer Bruce Rauner trying to cut the funding the state’s Medicaid program, while at the sometime trying to give tax cuts to corporation’s and the wealthy. As a result, Lim became frustrated and joined a Chicago community action group One Northside. This organization was a voice for the people who had little wealth. This organization would have fit well with the many groups during the Progressive Era. In short likewise, for the most part the rich will always look after each other and will continue to force the poor citizens to voice their concerns.
