Essays on Progressive Era

Thesis Statement: Although progressives responded to the ills of inner cities and working-class immigrants with significant reforms, they mostly failed to address the horrors of Jim Crow rule in the South. The first set of reforms, which sought to curb the social problems that plagued the United States during the Progressive Era, revolved around an understanding of the communities as a key component in providing the necessary solutions. According to Eric Foner, part of the changes encompassed improving the democratic government by not only “weakening the power of city bosses” but also giving the ordinary citizens more influence on ...

During the period in the US from 1890 to 1920, the so-called Progressive Era contributed to an enormous amount of social change. Because of Progressivism, unregulated capitalism came to a grinding halt, and governmental regulations began to help alleviate poverty, especially in large, industrialized urban areas. Nearly one hundred years after the Progressive Era has ended, it appears more than ever that the people need strong governmental regulations to help keep many of the negative effects of capitalism, such as environmental pollution, in check. The Progressive Era ushered in a new role for government in America. For example, many ...

Book Review – New York Exposed: The Gilded Age Scandal that

New York City in the late 19th-century has been shown through scholarly research and historical investigation to be a den of vice, with police-sanctioned brothels and unchecked political graft taking place on a large, systemic level. This matrix of criminal protections and laissez-faire attitude toward criminality led to the origins of the New York mob, and is a considerably important subject for historical scholars. Daniel Czitrom’s latest account of this early corruption, New York Exposed: The Gilded Age Police Scandal that Launched the Progressive Era, demonstrates the forces that began to identify the Gilded Age as one of ...

The time period between the 1890-s and the World War I, known as the Progressive Era, was difficult and controversial in American history. It was the time of industrial and urban development, political changes, economic growth (Frankel, and Dye 1). At the same time racial discrimination was prominent in the South, regardless of the legislation which abolished slavery and promoted equality between white and black members of the society. ‘Jim Crow laws’, or rules, applied mostly in Southern states, introduced segregation. Its beginning is associated with the Plessy vs. Ferguson case of 1896 (Williams). The progressives managed to bring ...

Major Themes

1) The increased role of the government has led to significant changes in the Economic system of the USA. Many experts consider the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt the beginning of the social security system of the federal government. In the middle of the Great Depression, many people did not have work, many families were affected by poverty and hunger, respectively. However, a number of New Deal programs such as the Federal Office for Emergency Relief, which provided considerable financial support for state and municipal relief operations, emerged. Administration provided the fund for the population and ...

In the late nineteenth century, America went through a time of progress that was later dubbed the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is known as a time of economic prosperity, industrial advancement, and population growth. However, the era included many dark times that are masked under the guise of progress and prosperity. The economy took a downward spiral, discrimination was rampant, and corrupt politicians worked with wealthy businessmen to concentrate the country’s wealth in a small population of people. Despite the tough circumstances that were caused by a boom in population growth, immigrants remained a large portion of ...

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt is widely regarded as one of the best presidents in United States history. He is known for his cowboy persona and his widespread representations of traditional masculinity. Many Americans today remember him as a rope-swinging, outdoorsman who would not be content sitting inside the Oval office. In fact, he was once observed jumping off a horse into a pit of wild dogs and slaying a mountain lion. Roosevelt changed the course of the presidency and did many things that presidents had never done before, such as riding in a submarine, being identified by his initials, being ...

The African American population had endured a long struggle for justice and equal rights. Having arrived in the United States as slaves, their struggle for equality in an all-white nation became a daunting task. The liberation and rights that are now enjoyed by the contemporary African-American population did not come at a low price. The focus of this essay is comparing some of the ideas espoused by the liberators of the African American people with those of Marcus Garvey. The Progressive Era was a crucial period in the quest to advance the rights of African-Americans. However, many of the ...

The period between the 1890 and 1915 is frequently referred to as the Progressive Era. During this period, it was very hard for the African Americans to progress. Inequality that was mostly in the form of racism was one of the main challenges that affected many African Americans. The white people saw the African Americans as inferior people and therefore did not want to be associated with them. Racism was supported by many white leaders like Jim Crow, who had earlier introduced segregation laws. To bring equality during this period, many courageous leaders like Marcus Garvey, Washington, W.E.B. Du ...

The Progressive Era was meant to improve the economic, social and political issues affecting America. However, one of the most critical areas that needed reform was the plight of the African Americans, which was overlooked by most of the white progressives. The issue of racism affected many aspects of the American’s society. For example, the blacks were denied the opportunity to participate in the voting process. The progressive movement did little in terms of improving the lives of African Americans. The white progressives supported segregation as they believed that African Americans were inferior and in some instances they ...