The Progressive Era
The early 20th Century was known as the expansion of business and progressive reform in the United States. During this time period, social activism and political reform in the United States had greatly flourished. The reformers and the federal government were very successful in bringing improvements at a national level. This revolutionary movement had the most influential reformers and worked more closely with the federal government than any other previous reform movement in American history. Though, not every single sect of the progressive movement made significant gains, the regulation of corporations, the fight against child labor and the rights of women were three movements that were particularly aided by governmental …show more content…
Previously elected by state legislatures, they were now "elected by direct vote of the people instead of indirectly through the various legislatures." (Document 1). This was an important reform at the time. As is apparent, the federal government had only a limited effect in bringing about reform at the national level. It was able to change the way senators were elected, a relatively small but important reform. In terms of controlling the previously uncontrolled trusts and corporations, the federal government had a limited effect. The FTC was able to watch some, but not all, corporations, an example of the limited nature of legislatures passed during the time. The federal government was also able to pass the Clayton Antitrust Act, which prohibited labor unions from being targeted as trusts, a small but important step. (Document 3). It is clear that the federal government was able to pass limited reformative national …show more content…
During this radical era the roles of women were changing dramatically. Women were increasingly pushing away from the cult of domesticity and transforming into what is called the new woman. Woman began to become more involved in a variety of reform movements. (Document 7). In terms of feminist movements, women began founding their own political organizations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Although most of the politicians of the time were still very sexist they saw the growing resentment of the public. Thus, in 1919, Congress approved the 19th amendment which stated the right for women to vote. This is one amendment that was added along with the other ones as shown in the table in Document 2. The amendment was passed giving women the right to vote nationwide. Additionally, the progressive era reformers had a similar effect. They were able to make some changes, but most of them were limited. As W.E.B. DuBois wrote in The Crisis, America was still "a shameful land" for African-Americans. Although African-Americans "fought gladly and to the last drop of blood" in World War One, they returned home to face "lynching, disenfranchisement, caste, brutality and devilish insult". Progressive Era reformers did little more than shed light on the subject of African-American rights. (Document 8). Little was changed for African-Americans in the period 1900-1920. The limited effect of reformers can be
The early 20th Century was known as the expansion of business and progressive reform in the United States. During this time period, social activism and political reform in the United States had greatly flourished. The reformers and the federal government were very successful in bringing improvements at a national level. This revolutionary movement had the most influential reformers and worked more closely with the federal government than any other previous reform movement in American history. Though, not every single sect of the progressive movement made significant gains, the regulation of corporations, the fight against child labor and the rights of women were three movements that were particularly aided by governmental …show more content…
Previously elected by state legislatures, they were now "elected by direct vote of the people instead of indirectly through the various legislatures." (Document 1). This was an important reform at the time. As is apparent, the federal government had only a limited effect in bringing about reform at the national level. It was able to change the way senators were elected, a relatively small but important reform. In terms of controlling the previously uncontrolled trusts and corporations, the federal government had a limited effect. The FTC was able to watch some, but not all, corporations, an example of the limited nature of legislatures passed during the time. The federal government was also able to pass the Clayton Antitrust Act, which prohibited labor unions from being targeted as trusts, a small but important step. (Document 3). It is clear that the federal government was able to pass limited reformative national …show more content…
During this radical era the roles of women were changing dramatically. Women were increasingly pushing away from the cult of domesticity and transforming into what is called the new woman. Woman began to become more involved in a variety of reform movements. (Document 7). In terms of feminist movements, women began founding their own political organizations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Although most of the politicians of the time were still very sexist they saw the growing resentment of the public. Thus, in 1919, Congress approved the 19th amendment which stated the right for women to vote. This is one amendment that was added along with the other ones as shown in the table in Document 2. The amendment was passed giving women the right to vote nationwide. Additionally, the progressive era reformers had a similar effect. They were able to make some changes, but most of them were limited. As W.E.B. DuBois wrote in The Crisis, America was still "a shameful land" for African-Americans. Although African-Americans "fought gladly and to the last drop of blood" in World War One, they returned home to face "lynching, disenfranchisement, caste, brutality and devilish insult". Progressive Era reformers did little more than shed light on the subject of African-American rights. (Document 8). Little was changed for African-Americans in the period 1900-1920. The limited effect of reformers can be