The Era of Progressive Reform
The era of progressive reforms was
characterized by the new reforms made towards the help and support for
employees and their rights. Progressivism targets the massive problems of an
urban, industrialized nation. In spite of opposition, progressives were able to
redefine government roles in American life, make and have serious campaigns for
the presidency. Another important event during this time period was the right
for woman’s suffrage. During the late 1800’s there was a mistreatment from
industry against their employees. Much of the progressive’s reforms began in
the cities as opposed to the state or federal levels. The progressive movement
had always been little more than a series of informal alliances, nevertheless
in 1912 a number of interests and groups associated with this movement came
together into a formal political party.
In the twilight of the 1800’s, many citizens could see
that existing efforts to solve the massive problems of industrialization were
failing. Citizens could see that there were problems with unemployment, and a
corrupt system, privet efforts to address these issues, such as charity or
settlement-house work, were inadequate. During the 1880-1890 were filled with lively
debates about how to reform society. The idea of journalist Henry George and
Edward Bellamy were among the most popular. Socialists, unionists and city
government reformed also had many followers. In 1879 Henry George wrote a book to explain why an advanced civilization seemed
to increase rather than eliminate poverty. Several writers during this time
period wrote how the future would be for America with the harsh working conditions.
Progressive worked for reforms I a systematic manner, relying heavily on
scientific data and expert testimony, they investigated issues of concern, such
as slum or sweatshop conditions, also making public their reports and
investigations. During this time period there were also social welfare programs, which would help ensure a basic standard
of living for all Americans. Also within the social reforms there was the home rule, under which cities exercise a
limited degree of self-rule.
The unleashing of the progressive impulse led to a tremendous
amount of legislation in the early 1900’s. Reform took place at all levels of government,
city, state, and federals. Part of the opposition that began because the less
extensive the government, the easier it is to change that government. During this
time period people took lots of sides, so TR said that sides of reformers should
have arbitration, a process in which
an impartial third part decides on a legally blind solution. During this time
period also, the direct primary was
develop, in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming
elections. Another problem that government faced were the holding companies, which were companies that hold the stocks and
bonds of other companies, becomes a monopoly.
In 1912 several of the loosely allied interests that made
up progressivism joined forces in new political parties. Hitching their campaign
wagon to a bull moose named TR; they set a course for the White House. After the
elections of 1904 TR announced he would not seek another presidential term. During
a trip to Africa when TR came back and found the country upside down by Taft,
TR came up with the New Nationalism,
in which stronger workplace protections for women and children, income and
inheritance taxes, direct primaries, and the initiative, referendum, and
recall. The progressive party became known as the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt also trounced Taft by using the New
Freedom, he promised to enforce antitrust laws without threatening free
economic competition.
With a long, bitter campaign, women finally won the right
to biter and at the same time they demonstrated their skills as organizers and
activities. By the time of NAWSA’s founding, women had won many rights. Suffragist
followed two paths towards their goals. One path was to press for
constitutional amendment. The other path pursued by suffragists was to get
individual states to permit women to vote. During the 1910’s Carrie Chapman Catt, a former high school
principal, systematized NAWSA techniques, insisting on close,
precinct-by-precinct political work. Another woman who impacted the NAWSA and
made an organized pared of over 5000 women in Washington D.C, one day before Woodrow
Wilson’s inauguration, this courageous woman was Alice Paul. With suffrage finally won, women activist looked
forward to a host of new battles in the long and difficult struggle to achieve
true equality for women.
Women on strike for the right to vote
The era of progressivism was a time when America became
more democratic. The time when new leaders arose from the communities of the oppressed,
like the great women leaders, that helped give equality not only to women, but
made a better society in America. Teddy Roosevelt also was a man who believed
in progress for his country, and did everything he could do to help his country.
Then the suffragist movements caused by women which shaped society to become
more democratized. Furthermore help African Americans have the right to vote. Another
positivist aspects of progressivism was the rights fought for the employees
under harsh working conditions in which it help gain rights that would develop
the middle class, making America into an economic world power.
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