Four Themes Of The Progressive Era

As was previously stated, it gives certain states more power and makes the votes of people in certain states worth more than a vote

The Progressive Era was a time in United States history when social and political ideologies formed as a response to rapid industrialization. This period lastly roughly from 1895-1920 and is the focus of David E. Alsobrook’s article in the April 2002 issue of The Alabama Review. Alsobrook’s commentary focuses on the port city of Mobile, AL and the progressive reorganizations that occurred in the city the decades after reconstruction. He argues that the reforms of the city were caused by the influx of entrepreneurs brought by newly completed railroads. These businessmen were successful in obtaining leadership roles previously reserved for those of the gentry class (i.e. cotton plantation owners) and had different concepts of what made a successful

The author believes that women wanted to put a ban on these things to force men to be better mates.” Some women did tie women’s suffrage to prohibition, but that doesn’t reflect voting today. Women were much more set in religion during the time the Nineteenth Amendment was passed. Women did believe that they needed the vote to speak their opinions on alcohol. Not all, but some women believed that alcohol caused harm to family life.

This Amendment aimed to make the Senate more democratic by giving people the right to vote for their Senators, rather than having them elected by state legislatures. This aimed to reduce political corruption by removing the corrupting influence of wealthy donors on state legislatures.

Progressives pursued battles over issues like government regulation of the economy and democratic reform of the electoral process. Some of them worked for women suffrage, others for temperance, and still others for immigration restriction, government inspection of foods and drugs, or the improvement of wages and working conditions. Several politicians that occupied government offices also worked to end corruption in law enforcement, public transportation and other city services. Also, political powers of the voters were increased by legislation which gave them additional powers such as recall of a person from public office before his or her term ended. Under referendum laws the voters could pass laws without the need for the state legislatures

These problems were quickly addressed because the majority of the progressive movement was behind such reforms. This is very similar to the American opinion during the build up to and following the Second World War where public opinion of Fascism had grown to near taboo levels where even mentioning the word caused a major scandal over its context. This parallels with the progressive era with their problems before the movements, the fear of oppression and losing their democracy, their spread of information in the media to expose these problems, a new type of muckraking and warmonger media aimed at Nazism, and their coming together in order to solve their problems, the consolidation of power and popular support to declare war after Pearl Harbor and hearing of the lack of success by the Allies. While both of these periods feature change and a unifying cause that brought the divided nation of America back together, there is only one era when such a large amount of change and reform was enacted, whether it be Trust-Busting, Conservation, or the municipal reforms that took place on the lower levels, the Progressive Era is the only time period to pass so many reforms that it was named after its efforts to change despite hugely important events were happening

“Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” During the early twentieth century, also known as the Progressive Era, America was determined to make the country a better and safer place to live. Progressives attempted to improve the economy, public health, and living and working conditions. One of the most impactful progressive reforms that took place in the early 1900s was prohibition. The 18th amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919, placing a ban on alcoholic beverages.

After the Civil War, our country was battered and beaten, but it rebuilt itself over time and spread its policies, as well as manufacturing practices, throughout our country. Early in the 20th century, members of our nation started to look at some of these practices and policies and began to question their merit and whether they assisted our population or not. Many people were involved in the progressive movement in America from the presidents to a slew of popular authors and photographers. The one thing that they had in common was that they saw problems with how various industries in our nation performed that they knew needed to be fixed. They did not always agree on everything, such as immigration, but they always had the nation’s best interest at heart.

Socially, Congress passed the 19th Amendment which allowed women the right to vote. Economically, the introduction of the automobile, radio, and the airplane brought prosperity in America. Culturally, the 18th Amendment banned the sale and drinking of alcohol in America. The dawn of the 1920s brought many social changes in America.

Even after the Amendment was ratified and the Volstead Act, which induced even more restrictions on alcohol, was passed, the alcohol industry was not coming to a halt. This is ultimately why the 18th Amendment was the only amendment that has ever been repealed when the 21st Amendment took effect years later. However, this does not take away from the fact that during the Progressive Era, the 18th Amendment was formulated to address the call of reform during a time where alcohol had become a major factor in domestic violence cases against women and it was able to reform society through placing a nationwide ban on alcohol, as well as exhibiting values of moral

The Progressive era was a period of widespread activism and political reform across the United States, from the 1900s to 1920s. The goal was to end abuse of power (monopolies, unfair privilege and corruption), and to replace corrupt power with humane institutions, apply scientific principles and efficient management to economic, social, and political institutions. Through the Progressive Era they were able to create the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Amendment. The 16th Amendment allowed income tax, the 17th Amendment allowed the direct election of senators, the 18th Amendment allowed prohibition (prohibition is the manufacturing and sale of alcohol, especially in the US between 1920 and 1933), and the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Some might say that the Progressive Era is done and over with, never to be enacted again. This is simply not the case. The United States has had the Progressive Era, but the ideals have always been on our minds as we fight for what we stand for. The Modern Progressive Movement, as several news sources have called it, has either started (NY Times in November 2011 cites Occupy Wall Street as the beginning), or that we are in desperate need of it (Washington Monthly explained in January/February of this year). People don't just stop fighting for human rights and equality, especially Americans; Equality was written in our Declaration of Independence.

The “Progressive Movement was an early-20th century reform movement seeking to return control of the government to the people, to restore economic opportunity, and to correct injustices in American life.” (Danzer R54). The Progressive Era marked the end of the “Gilded Ages” and a start of a new era. The Progressive Era started in 1901 in the United States (Fagnilli 26). There were many major reforms in the Progressive Era that altered and advanced American society.

At the beginning of the Progressive Era, 1890, the reform efforts were primarily to “clean up the nation’s cities,” but as the momentum cycled into full swing it turned into a much larger project than originally anticipated (Schultz 2014). The two main groups who were involved were the followers of Social Gospel and women, but later, as interest increased Progressivism found its way into political circles and other forums. The middle class was especially attracted to the idea, but only if it did not intrude on their everyday lives which turned out to be impossible. Moreover, as it grew it changed shape to influence how administrators were selected, how our education systems developed, and it aided in improving the workforce community. The primary reason for the spread of Progressivism throughout the nation was by the media, otherwise through journalism (Schultz 2014).

The 17th Amendment passed in 1913 to allow the citizen to have direct election for a Senators. . Related to the political reforms, a change in who has the right to votes were also made. During the Progressive Era, women were also trying to fight for their right to votes in the political matter. People thought women were weak and have no power. They do not support their suffrage and thought what their doing was useless(Doc F).