In the United States during the Progressive Era
In the United States of America, from the 1890s to the 1920s, there was a time of change known as the Progressive Era. It was a period when a reaction to the Industrial Revolution's changes and the expansion of modern capitalism in America was being developed. It was a period of political and business abuses, industrialization, and urbanization, as well as economic instability that prompted fresh attempts to reform the American financial system. In the end, the Progressives pushed for changes to all societal laws. The Progressive era created social, political and economic reforms in the United States of America that lasted for about thirty years from the 1890's through the 1920's. It was a time that initiated a response to the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution and the growth of the modern capitalism in America. In addition to political and corporate abuses, as well as industrialization and urbanization, it was a time when economic instability led to new efforts to reform the United States financial system. Ultimately, the Progressives sought change in all the policies at all levels of society. The Progressive era created social, political and economic reforms in the United States as discussed below.
Political reforms
Political reforms were influenced by the need to eradicate corruption in the political offices, which oppressed citizens. The main aim of legislative changes was to end corruption, allow the government to intervene in protecting the citizens, as well as improving the lives and economic status of citizens. A group of leaders that sought to bring reforms to the United States called progressives led to the 17th amendment. This amendment purposed to cause government accountability through several political movements. Direct democracy was developed whereby the citizens were allowed to elect their senators, to end corruption directly. This way, they would vote for leaders they believed in and not on the grounds of social status as was the case before. Electing leaders enhanced the trust of the citizens in the government, such that their representatives in the Senate had the interest of all citizens at heart.
As mentioned earlier, the primary purpose of direct democracy was to promote government accountability. In that case, voters were allowed to recall elected members before their full term in office. This way, corrupt leaders were impeached and more pure ones elected. Recalling of leaders was a great move to ensure that leaders remained honest with the offices they held, and also reduced the instances of corruption in government.
Additionally, direct democracy led to self-government of counties. The mayor and city council were replaced by the local government, which served under the national government. Therefore, the needs of the citizens at the grassroots level were quickly identified and met. Equity of all Americans, whether by birth or nationality, was promoted through the local governments became of the representation in government. The city commissioners, who served in the local government, were the representatives of the citizens.
Another political reform influenced by the progressive era was the 19th amendment that allowed women suffrage to federal and state elections. Women were restricted from participation in elections because of the belief that their traditional role was in the home. However, after this amendment women were allowed to vote in state elections. Participation in federal elections was permitted after the women suffrage of 1919. This change caused the involvement of all citizens in direct democracy whereby everyone was allowed to choose the government of their choice.
Economic reforms
By the time of the progressive era, the American economy was marred by corruption and inadequate labor laws and other financial injustices which crippled it. A group of journalists and writers called the muckrakers highlighted the plight of the oppressed and the crimes happening in society, bringing these issues to light. One of the problems highlighted was the contamination of food and the poor sanitary conditions of corporate producers. As a result, the Pure Food and Drugs Act and Meat Inspection Act, both of 1906, were developed. The Acts halted the transfer of contaminated food from one state to the other. The act also led to a more sanitary food market that protected the public from unsafe foods. The impact of this law for the progressive era was the improvement of general health for the people.
The era also saw the need for monetary policies, leading to the Federal Reserve's Act that formed the Federal Reserve's system in the form of the central bank of America. The bank was tasked with providing elastic currency for a more financially stable economy. More so, the bank also developed interest rates to control the growth of the economy. Such a move would prevent inflation and strengthen the economy.
In the previous gilded age, the gilded period was characterized by monopolies that saw the oppression of the consumers and new entrants to the market. As such, there was a need for antitrust policies, which were incorporated by the Clayton Antitrust Act. Other than preventing monopolies, the act allowed oversight of antitrust plans and activities by a body emboldened in the Department of Justice. The law led to the eradication of illegalities in trade including illegal; mergers and price fixation and discrimination among others. Trade was made fair giving all people equal opportunity to participate in economic activities.
The development of the Progressive party in 1912 led to the regulation of corporate behavior which prevented corporate greed. The muckrakers brought to light labor woes involving child labor and poor working conditions. The agenda pushed by the party included the compensation for industrial accidents for laborers and also the exclusion of child labor. Additionally, changes in freight rates and taxation were also noted whereby fair freight rates were imposed. On taxation, the rich were taxed more than the poor because of the difference in income.
Under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, the party also sought to protect natural resources for production purposes. Robert La Follette, a progressive politician from Wisconsin, advocated for the railroad regulation commission that was charged with the oversight of the rail industry in a bid to protect natural resources. Later on, this delegation came to work with the National Transportation and Safety Board to prevent accidents caused by railroads.
Social reforms
Social reforms were necessary for the USA mainly because of the social injustices that were being witnessed. Among the outrages was the discrimination of women and racial rights, whereby racism was rampant. One of the significant reforms was the 14th amendment that promoted the equality of all people in the United States in the protection of the laws. The change stated that all citizens of the United States, whether by birth or naturalization, were entitled to equal representation of the code, and all were entitled to the protection of the laws. This amendment affected the issue of racism whereby African Americans, Hispanics and white Americans were accorded equal protection of the law. Women were also included in the bill such that they were too entitled to the same rights. This amendment came at a time whereby women have disallowed some rights because of the belief that their role is in the home. It also saw the rise of several progressive women leaders including Ida Wells-Barnet among others.
Upon the establishment of this amendment, women came out in numbers to defend their rights. For instance, progressive women leaders formed national organizations that were inclusive of all women, regardless of the racial differences. Some of the agencies included the National American Women Suffrage Association, the National Association of women of color, and the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage. These associations encouraged women to participate in the political platform through advocacy for their rights. After a time, female participation in politics was seen as an advantage because of the skill of women in taking care of the home, which was believed to be useful in running the country.
Women's participation in social and political movements was also encouraged during this era. The women advocated for the education of all children of all races through the establishment of institutions to facilitate this move such as the Chicago Hull House for education and service provision for immigrants. Through such an organization, all citizens were provided the equal opportunity to education. This institution also played a part in eradicating child labor such that children were sent there to receive training instead of providing cheap labor. This period saw the building of more schools, especially public schools, to allow children from underprivileged backgrounds an opportunity to access education. The provision of training led to an educated society which was a progressive move. These social reformers also contributed to the lowered costs of public utilities to allow everyone an opportunity to access them. Public health departments were also built to provide health services to all members of the society, a move that saw the reduction of disease and mortality rates in all communities in the United States. Development of these utilities led to the decrease of urban slums, and the quality of life of all citizens was also increased, in line with the goals of the progressive era.
Another social reform to be witnessed during this period was the preservation of rights at both the federal and state levels. Women were seen at the forefront advocating for equal rights for everyone. As a result, activists such as Ida Wells-Barnett led a campaign against the lynching of African Americans, to show that they too were entitled to the right to life as provided by the law. Such advocacy led to the identification of African Americans as legal citizens of the United States. Constant activism also led to the 19th amendment that allowed women the right to vote. Most of the reforms of this age were attributed to muckrakers who demonstrated the power of an active media and writers through the highlighting of urban slums, child labor, economic injustices, political corruption, and other injustices that existed in the United States.
In conclusion
In conclusion, the progressive era lasted for about thirty years and brought with a great deal of political, economic, and social reforms. The period was meant to eradicate corruption and promote equality for all citizens. Some of the legislative changes included the 17th and 19th amendments which led to direct democracy and self-government. Economic reforms included the development of several acts that countered the lack of sanitation in the food market as well as the protection of antitrust policies. The protection of natural resources was also witnessed during this era to promote production. Social reforms included the 14th amendment that led to equality for all citizens of the United States, the inclusion of women in national politics, and the building of public utilities. This era brought about desired changes that formed the foundation of the current political, economic, and social status in America.
References
Alchin, Linda. "Progressive Movement: Causes, Accomplishments And Timeline. American-Historama.Org. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 9, 2017. http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/progressive-movement.htm.
Alchin, Linda. "Pure Food and Drug Act". American-Historama.Org. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 9, 2017. http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/pure-food-drug-act.htm.
Costly, Andrew. "The Progressives - Constitutional Rights Foundation". Crf-Usa.Org. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 9, 2017. http://www.crf-usa.org/election-central/the-progressives.html.
Lange, Allison. "Female Reformers in the Progressive Era". History of U.S. Woman's Suffrage. Last modified 2015. Accessed November 9, 2017. http://www.crusadeforthevote.org/progressive-era-reformers/.
