The Progressive Era In The 19th And 20th Century

At the end of Reconstruction in 1877, there was depression and social unrest in the United States. Cities and rural areas were distressed and going through hard times, while both the middle and upper classes were fearful of society. The election of Theodore Roosevelt in 1900 brought a time of idealism, moral and religious passion, and effective social, economic, and political change. Progressive Era reformers were successful in their reform efforts during the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in the areas of the workplace and living conditions in cities. Conditions in the workplace was a constantly considered aspect of American society during this time period. First, Frederick Winslow Taylor, considered the original efficiency expert, developed a system of scientific management to help production cost and effectiveness. This system prescribed optimal techniques for the average worker and established performance standards for each job classification. Although many people believed that this system made employees work faster or longer than what is healthy, it did bring concrete improvements in productivity in the workplace. Next, there were many court cases that involved the controversy of workday …show more content…
The Whigs, like the Progressives, succeeded in reforming banks, businesses, and corporations, while also supporting humanitarian reform and morality in politics. Whigs were opposed to harsh labor conditions, just as the Progressives had many reform movements to make industrial conditions less severe. Within the Whig party, there were contrasting views, such as some being anti-Catholic, some being against labor movements, and some being more pragmatic than others. Similarly, the Progressives had ideas of both socialism and laissez-faire in their party. Lastly, like the Progressives who highly supported social reform, the Whigs promoted banks, prison reform, educational reform, and