Progressive Era Dbq

From 1900 to 1920, the Progressive Era continued onward from its late 19th century beginning. This time period harbored reform attempts in various subjects with varied success and failures. During the Progressive Era, reformers and the federal government attempted reforms at the national level through business, political, and moral issues. Business reforms brought about by progressives during this era were carried out with great successes. As reported by a newspaper in 1906, the meat industry was in need of reform due to the immense health and safety hazards present within the processing plants. (Doc B) The efforts of muckrakers informed the public of these hazards, resulting in the federal government reforming the industry through the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act later in 1906. President Theodore Roosevelt …show more content…
Roosevelt promoted his New Nationalism approach in his 1912 speech supporting the direct voting of senators. (Doc D) The direct voting of senators by American voters is a large increase of democratic power, put into action by the 17th Amendment in 1913. Due to the picketing efforts by suffragists, women's suffrage was achieved during the Progressive Era. (Doc H) Women gained voting rights with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Their strive for suffrage had been slowed due to the first world war and President Wilson’s reluctance. Wilson received criticism for fixing the fundamental issues of society through hasty law making. (Doc F) Some people could claim that Wilson’s contribution to progressive reforms were lackluster and limited, as visible through the lengthy women’s suffrage movement. Throughout the Progressive Era, the percentage of voter turnout continually lowered. (Doc J) The lack of increasing voter turnout was the opposite desire of Roosevelt’s New Nationalism approach. Democracy was not being used to its full