The age known as "Progressivism" or "Progressive America" was a period of time from the 1890s to the beginning of World War I. It was one of the greatest reform movements in American history, with a strong emphasis on social justice. Prior to this period, during the Civil War and the years that came after, the United States was industrializing at an unprecedented pace. The Civil War required an immense amount of railroads and trains to be built, which fired up the steel industry, which accelerated the mining of coal, which led to more income for more workers.
While this may seem all well and good, this era did not come without issues and confrontations. The Populist Party rose and gained several seats in Congress, as well as a presidential candidate. The Populists stood for evening out wage gaps, providing government help for the poor, and created a voice for everyone in the United States, no matter what social class they were from. They also advocated for the introduction of silver into the currency system, a higher income tax, government ownership of railroads, and direct election of Senators (rather than electorally). The Populist Party was backed largely by farmers and the poor, as it stood for their values against the wealthy. At this time, the Democrats and Republicans were both losing voters to the Populist movement, stirring the initial fight between the rich and the poor. The Democrats and Republicans at the time were losing backing not only for their sheer wealth, but also for their part in political corruption. The wealthiest men, notably J.P. Morgan, were controlling the government with their money - they made Senators and Congressmen vote for what they saw as fitting, backed by plenty of cash to compensate. The Houses were held by the wealthy, while the poor were not allowed a say.
The Progressive Era was the peak of the women’s rights, specifically suffrage, movement. Half a century after slaves had been freed and given the right to vote, women were still fighting for their voice. Although there were groups of women that fought against societal expectations, it was certainly not a national occurrence yet. As the 1890s went by and into the early 1900s, more women stood up for themselves and protested in order to get the right to vote. It was not until 1919 when Texas allowed women to vote, signaling a shift and foreshadowing the eventual introduction and ratification of the 19th Amendment in late 1920.
Overall, this era stood for more than just a booming economy and the fight for rights. It was a period of time when more people were educated, worked to support their families, and the American system that the Founding Fathers envisioned was finally coming true in people’s lives. This era was a precursor to World War I, an unfortunate series of events that challenged exactly what Americans had just fought for in the years prior.
While this may seem all well and good, this era did not come without issues and confrontations. The Populist Party rose and gained several seats in Congress, as well as a presidential candidate. The Populists stood for evening out wage gaps, providing government help for the poor, and created a voice for everyone in the United States, no matter what social class they were from. They also advocated for the introduction of silver into the currency system, a higher income tax, government ownership of railroads, and direct election of Senators (rather than electorally). The Populist Party was backed largely by farmers and the poor, as it stood for their values against the wealthy. At this time, the Democrats and Republicans were both losing voters to the Populist movement, stirring the initial fight between the rich and the poor. The Democrats and Republicans at the time were losing backing not only for their sheer wealth, but also for their part in political corruption. The wealthiest men, notably J.P. Morgan, were controlling the government with their money - they made Senators and Congressmen vote for what they saw as fitting, backed by plenty of cash to compensate. The Houses were held by the wealthy, while the poor were not allowed a say.
The Progressive Era was the peak of the women’s rights, specifically suffrage, movement. Half a century after slaves had been freed and given the right to vote, women were still fighting for their voice. Although there were groups of women that fought against societal expectations, it was certainly not a national occurrence yet. As the 1890s went by and into the early 1900s, more women stood up for themselves and protested in order to get the right to vote. It was not until 1919 when Texas allowed women to vote, signaling a shift and foreshadowing the eventual introduction and ratification of the 19th Amendment in late 1920.
Overall, this era stood for more than just a booming economy and the fight for rights. It was a period of time when more people were educated, worked to support their families, and the American system that the Founding Fathers envisioned was finally coming true in people’s lives. This era was a precursor to World War I, an unfortunate series of events that challenged exactly what Americans had just fought for in the years prior.
I thought that this post was very interesting, and I liked how you acknowledged both the good and bad things about the Progressive Era. Another example of progressing in the wrong direction is the treatment of Native Americans. The United States government was increasingly forcing Native Americans to leave their parental lands and live on reservations where they were under control. Some American Indians hid from whites so that they did not have to be confined to a reservation. The Indian Boarding Schools during this period would take children away from their families with the purpose of stripping Native Americans of their culture. The Progressive Era for Native Americans was, without a doubt, detrimental to their rights and autonomy.
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