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Changes During The Progressive Era

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The Progressive Era brought an abundance of changes to America. Lasting from the mid-1890s through World War I, progressivism publicised the national concerns about the state of society, the effects of industrialization and urbanization, social disorder, political corruption, and a multitude of other issues. Regulating giant businesses, gaining the right to vote for women, and offering a newfound hope to the American people are only a few of the changes that occurred during this time. These changes also contributed to the reconstruction of the cultural, educational, work, safety, and political areas of American life. The overall quality of life improved remarkably during the Progressive Era. Many people during this time, often referred to …show more content…

One of the biggest aspects of progressivism included making governments more efficient and responsive to the people. Progressives wanted to expand the political voices of the average working people and limit the voices of the corrupt officials, but at the same time used the government to achieve most of their goals. A monumental political accomplishment by progressives was in June of 1919 when women were granted the right to vote all across the country. From the beginning of the progressive movement progressives were working towards rights for women by shortening their working hours, setting minimum wage laws, and giving them more equal opportunities as men, so gaining the right to vote was a prominent step in the right direction for them. It should also be noted that progressives were not just Republicans or Democrats: they were a combination of both, plus some independents. In addition to helping women politically, progressives worked to help children by enacting child labor laws. Before progressivism, children as young as eight years old were working in factories near dangerous machinery. After progressivism ran its course, congress passed an amendment authorizing federal child labor

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