Origins Of Progressivism
The progressive movement brought about great social, political and economic changes. Ideas and issues long debated and but still withstanding were starting to come to fore to be reformed. At the turn of the century, middle class reformers address many problems the caused so much uproar in decades before. Muckrakers (media persons who wrote about the corrupt side of business and public life.) (Holt Textbook) Exposed the horrific conditions faced by factory workers. Thinkers questioned the imposing role of large corporations in society. However, although reformers never completely agreed on problems or solutions, they were in unison about 4 things: Protecting social welfare, promoting moral improvement, creating economic reform, and fostering efficiency. Many programs and movements that were established in the late 1800's continued through the progressive era and had a strong impact. One area of reform was that of moral improvement. Reformers felt that morality could improve the lives of poor people. Through that came Prohibition, the banning of alcoholic beverages.
Women's Rights
Women have long been looked at as subordinate to their male counter parts. Unlike the men they were expected to give their time the care of their respective homes and families. But only middle and upper class women could even afford to do. By the 20th century, one in five women had a job and 25 percent of those women were in manufacturing. Women often had the least skilled positions and only got about half the pay of their male counterparts. In order for women to truly make progress in america, they had to speak up in terms of reforming the current standards at that time. They sought out higher education and they saw success even in colleges that refused to accept women, that established separate universities for women. Sophia Smith a women's college founder stated these profound goals she had for the future. "[It is my desire] to furnish for my own sex means and facilities for education equal to those which are afforded now in our college to young men..." (Cohen Leherman)
Dear Mr. Editor,
This idea of progressive reform is atrocious.Things have turned into complete chaos. Women have gotten things twisted. They want to be equal to men, they want to vote , they want higher education, they want to go to college. Blah, Blah, Blah. Factory workers have lost their minds as well. Now they want better conditions, shorter hours, better pay. I have start giving out workers compensation. Unions are making all these unnecessary rules and regulations that do nothing more but stifle honest business men. And to top it all off they banned alcohol! Who in their right mind would want to ban liquor especially in the name of wanting to improve the “morality of workers”, and the lives or poor people. These so called reformers need to mind their own business and keeping their women in check . America was just fine the way it was. We are done with the civil war, those days are over, and our economy is on rise. Everyone should just focus on improving this country based on the methods that has already worked. Instead of changing everything up when it was on the up turn. I expect that you find this argument to be very compelling and I will be looking for it in next issue.
Dear Mr. Editor,
This idea of progressive reform is the greatest thing that could happen to America. Our country must truly be blessed. We are finally getting rid of the crap into that is driving this great country into destruction. We are in the 20th century and the time for change is now.For starters, reformers are hitting the 4 major deficiencies facing American’s right now: Protecting social welfare, promoting moral improvement, creating economic reform, and fostering efficiency. Various organizations like the YMCA and WCTU are coming to the fore in order to carry these ideas out. One major change is that of prohibition. The working class has too long had the luxury of drowning their problems in alcohol and it needs to be banned so that they improve their morality of poor people so they can work efficiency. Also women have making a huge push for equality and rights. Women have suffered long enough in the shadow of men.
-Corruption of the 19th century is over (back end being rolled up)
-Reforms or changes are being rolled out
-Workers are rolling up
-Business men are rolling out
This idea of progressive reform is atrocious.Things have turned into complete chaos. Women have gotten things twisted. They want to be equal to men, they want to vote , they want higher education, they want to go to college. Blah, Blah, Blah. Factory workers have lost their minds as well. Now they want better conditions, shorter hours, better pay. I have start giving out workers compensation. Unions are making all these unnecessary rules and regulations that do nothing more but stifle honest business men. And to top it all off they banned alcohol! Who in their right mind would want to ban liquor especially in the name of wanting to improve the “morality of workers”, and the lives or poor people. These so called reformers need to mind their own business and keeping their women in check . America was just fine the way it was. We are done with the civil war, those days are over, and our economy is on rise. Everyone should just focus on improving this country based on the methods that has already worked. Instead of changing everything up when it was on the up turn. I expect that you find this argument to be very compelling and I will be looking for it in next issue.
Dear Mr. Editor,
This idea of progressive reform is the greatest thing that could happen to America. Our country must truly be blessed. We are finally getting rid of the crap into that is driving this great country into destruction. We are in the 20th century and the time for change is now.For starters, reformers are hitting the 4 major deficiencies facing American’s right now: Protecting social welfare, promoting moral improvement, creating economic reform, and fostering efficiency. Various organizations like the YMCA and WCTU are coming to the fore in order to carry these ideas out. One major change is that of prohibition. The working class has too long had the luxury of drowning their problems in alcohol and it needs to be banned so that they improve their morality of poor people so they can work efficiency. Also women have making a huge push for equality and rights. Women have suffered long enough in the shadow of men.
-Corruption of the 19th century is over (back end being rolled up)
-Reforms or changes are being rolled out
-Workers are rolling up
-Business men are rolling out
Editorial
The progressive reform era was highly influential period in America and fixed some major flaws in society pre-20th century. There were many reforms during this time. How one in particular had the most impact American then and now. Up until the 1900’s women had long been in the shadow of their male counterparts. They were expected to devote their time and energy to the care and upkeep of their homes and children. At the dawn of the new century, though, middle and upper class women could do financially. Poor women were forced to look for jobs in the market, a market in which many male labor Unions wouldn’t provide them with membership. Even when they could manage to get a job they got the least skilled ones with half the pay of a man. As women began to transition from the kitchen to public life, they started to reach for higher education. New women colleges were being formed and these institutions looked to grant women an excellent education. With new education, women made a huge push for what would reshape of america forever. Women looked to reform their current situation by protesting women’s suffrage or the right to vote. However they faced constant opposition. Hence, before the turn of the century, the campaign had only saw limited success. Later on, though, it gained more ground and the fight continues even down to today.
The progressive reform era was highly influential period in America and fixed some major flaws in society pre-20th century. There were many reforms during this time. How one in particular had the most impact American then and now. Up until the 1900’s women had long been in the shadow of their male counterparts. They were expected to devote their time and energy to the care and upkeep of their homes and children. At the dawn of the new century, though, middle and upper class women could do financially. Poor women were forced to look for jobs in the market, a market in which many male labor Unions wouldn’t provide them with membership. Even when they could manage to get a job they got the least skilled ones with half the pay of a man. As women began to transition from the kitchen to public life, they started to reach for higher education. New women colleges were being formed and these institutions looked to grant women an excellent education. With new education, women made a huge push for what would reshape of america forever. Women looked to reform their current situation by protesting women’s suffrage or the right to vote. However they faced constant opposition. Hence, before the turn of the century, the campaign had only saw limited success. Later on, though, it gained more ground and the fight continues even down to today.
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Sources
https://progressivetechnologyera.wordpress.com/
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/politics-reform/resources/reform-movements-progressive-era
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/more-subjects/history/us-history-ii/the-progressive-era-19001920/political-and-social-reforms
https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/the-progressive-era-1890-1917-22/labor-local-and-political-reform-166/labor-local-and-political-reform-907-10424/
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/progressive-era.cfm
https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/progressiveera/home.html
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/who-is-a-progressive/
https://progressivetechnologyera.wordpress.com/
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/politics-reform/resources/reform-movements-progressive-era
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/more-subjects/history/us-history-ii/the-progressive-era-19001920/political-and-social-reforms
https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/the-progressive-era-1890-1917-22/labor-local-and-political-reform-166/labor-local-and-political-reform-907-10424/
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/progressive-era.cfm
https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/progressiveera/home.html
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/who-is-a-progressive/