The Progressive Era Essay example -- essays research papers

The Progressive EraProgressivism in the United States took place in the period between theSpanish-American War and the entry of the United States into the great World War.It was a time for change in America in all walks of life, as well as a time forreform. It was marked by Theodore Roosevelts 7 and a half years in office, theRough Rider put it upon himself to make the first strides towards reform. Thesereforms include the cracking down on illegal monopolies and so forth. Duringthis era large cities transformed into large metropolises, small towns intolarge cities and new towns sprang up nearly everywhere. Reforms as well includedthe seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth amendments. The progressive erareally had significant impact in Americas history.The progressive movement had many origins. One of these was the battleagainst governing bodyal depravity and inability, in other words a struggle forcivil services reform. The progressive movement was initiated by liberals inboth p olitical parties, the fight for government reform can be traced back toLiberal Republicans(An Oxymoron, Mr. Jetel?) during the Grant administration andMugwumps. Citizens were enraged, with big taskes growing influence in allbranches of government and sought ship canal to purify it.Big Business was also a target of progressivism. During this timepresidents like Roosevelt and William Howard Taft tried to regulate and controlbig business. Many well meliorate people of the time, as well as moderatelyprosperous businessmen and members of other professions(middle class) feltthreatened by the increasing power of big business and the tycoons. These peoplewere also disturbed by the Big business influence in politics, making a mockeryof the democratic system. Then with the failure of the interstate mercantile system actand the Sherman act, made big business look unstoppable. As the middle class inAmerica began to develop and grow, they gained power. They were the people whowanted change an d finally they won with the start of progressivism.Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Henry Lloyd all made significantcontributions to the start of the Progressive movement with their writings.These people and others similar to them were labeled as muckrakers. TheseMuck... ...ormally in American society. Because of thestereotype they were regulated to minimal paying unskilled jobs. Blacks on theother hand made great strides during the Progressive era. Blacks wanted to beequal and parent them selves up in their own way instead of conforming to whitesociety as Washington suggested. They marched on Washington and demanded theunrestricted right to voter turnout as well as an end to all forms of segregation,equality of economic opportunity, higher education, equal justice in courts andan end to trade union discrimination. These demands horny many whites abroadand set the groundwork for the civil rights movement. Blacks also became proudof themselves forming organizations to create pri de for black heritage.The Progressive era came about as the event of several motives. Theforces behind it ranged from the common man to the politicians as well asintellectuals. The eras true progress is sometimes contended, while in someinstances reform measures did stick to about. Big business finally became somewhatregulated and the governmental power somewhat shifted back to the people. Theprogressive era evidently shaped up to be quite a significant part of ourhistory.