The Progressive Era Essay

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The progressive era, which occurred between the 1900s and 1920s was an important time in American history. It was a widespread period of social and political reform across the United States that sought to eliminate problems in many different areas of American life, such as education, public health, labor, transportation, and women’s rights (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg. 680). While all the reformers of this time period left a great impact on American politics this essay will primarily address the role of women during the progressive era. These reformers, especially women influenced and changed American politics and government by not only giving the public an opportunity to openly voice and address their concerns, but also by getting the …show more content…

It proved to be effective and was used to put an end to many social issues including the meatpacking in the food industry and child labor (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg. 682). These issues led to many regulations such as the Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act, Factory Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg. 710). One of the most popular muckrakers of the progressive era, Ida Tarbell exposed the corruption of the Standard Oil Company, which led to end of its monopoly. By doing this Tarbell greatly impacted the way that businesses run today. Another Woman, Margaret Sanger left a big mark on feminism by starting the birth control movement. Sanger advocated for birth control and believed that it was essential to women’s freedom, opening the first birth control clinic in the early twentieth century. This movement is still quite controversial today, but it has still proven to have left a big impact on women’s health. The early twentieth century introduced new feminism to American life, this provided women with a new sense of sexual freedom and reform (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty,

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