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Progressive Era Dbq

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The Progressive Era was an influential time period that helped shape America into the present day country. During this time period, businesses were expanding rapidly and a new set of political, cultural, social, and environmental reforms were emerging under progressive ideals. Although different people associated and supported with different reforms, all progressives during this period were working for the advancement of American society. Despite the ineffectiveness of progressive reforms from 1900-1920 in creating an influential political platform to transform national politics, reformers were very successful in gaining the federal government the power to regulate trusts and industries. Progressive reformers had limited effectiveness in …show more content…

The main idea throughout every single progressive movement during this era was centered around the advancement and improvement of society. Women’s rights, including their right to vote was not a new debate but is was still considered a very progressive ideal and the reformers during these years were especially effective in advancing this movement and winning the women their right to vote. As depicted in the photograph, reformers discredited their opposition frequently to better their cause and put the reform into law. Not often were there this many changes in federal laws, like the 19th Amendment, due to pressures from progressives but there were significant shifts or additions in power to the government during this time period. These changes in authority can be seen in a political cartoon published in the Washington Post that shows the results of President Roosevelt's use of power in regulating trusts, which was won for the government by progressive reforms (Document 1). The cartoon was published towards the end of Roosevelt's presidency, signifying that the artist of the piece was conveying a significant part of Roosevelt’s presidency that took place. One of the many movements during the Progressive Era was to allow the federal government to investigate, regulate, and destroy trusts. This power was restored in the Hepburn Railroad Act in 1906, one of the most significant uses

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