The Progressive Movement was dominated by numerous economic reforms. Some of Theodore Roosevelt’s impressive reforms were directed towards the trusts that heavily influenced the United State’s economy. Roosevelt’s nickname was the “trust-buster” because he campaigned against the huge monopolies that affected the citizens of the United States and campaigned for the companies that were beneficial towards the citizens while regulating them correctly. Roosevelt is known for his three C’s (consumerism, conservation, and corporations) and the control of corporation pertains to the trust busting he took action in. He used the Sherman Antitrust Act to create lawsuits against the trusts. Woodrow Wilson later installed the Sherman Antitrust Act which further empowered the government against the trusts than the Sherman Antitrust Act as Wilson recognized that, “We see the bad with the good…With this vision we approach new affairs” (document 2). The purpose of this document is to bring awareness of the new responsibilities that American Citizens have to control the damage that industrialization has introduced to America. Another economic reform was child labor as seen in document 4. The purpose of this document is to show the horrid conditions that children faced while working in factories. Some of these dangers include their fingers being caught in the machines resulting in the loss of appendages and it is seen in the photograph that the windows are closed which causes the cotton filaments to be breathed in by the children and often result in cancer. After photographs such as document 4, the Keating Owens Act limited child labor in 1916 (document 5).
Politically, the Progressive movement was also successful when juxtaposed to the economic aspects. Woodrow Wilson believed that the “great government we have loved has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes, and those who used it had forgotten the people” (document 2). His point of view is that the evil has come with the good. Wilson had kept his word by lowering the tariff of the Interstate Commerce Commision, introduced income tax in 1913 through the 16th Amendment (document 5), and instituted the Federal Reserve System. Other reforms included direct primary election which gave all members of a party the chance to take part in nomination, the initiative process for putting a law on a ballot, referendum to allow the people to enact legislation that a state legislature does not do, and recall which gives voters the power to remove elected officials from office. Other government regulations were seen after The Jungle by Upton Sinclair was published (document 6). The rats ate poisoned bread, and the meat would go in the hoppers and the people would end up eating it. The purpose of this document was to bring awareness about the meat industry to the citizens. Following the novel, the government passed the Food and Drug Act in 1906 and the Meat Inspection Act in 1906, the same year The Jungle was published. Another political reform that was successful during the Progressive Movement was Women’s Suffrage, granted by the 17th Amendment. However, in document 7 it can be seen that women have fought for the right to vote relentlessly. Rose Schneiderman said to the people who considered voting unladylike that women do laundry for 13-14 hours in steam and hands in hot starch and that their beauty will not be lost by voting. The purpose of this document was to show how women have a right to vote due to the amount of work they put in. During World War II, women’s influence grew as they had to replace men in their daily occupations, factories, and as bread-winners as men were overseas fighting the war. They had also faced friction by Woodrow Wilson as he was anti women’s suffrage. They had finally accomplished their goals that started in Seneca Falls and were given their right to vote.
When compared to the political and economic reforms during the Progressive Movement, the social aspect severely lacked. Women were given their right to vote after their fight for suffrage (document 5) (document 7) and child labor laws were passed as awareness was raised about the horrid working conditions (document 5) (document 4). Also, as seen in document 3, government control over the pasteurization and sale of milk in order to protect the health of babies and children was supported. The purpose of document 3 is to persuade the people to take action and influence the government’s control over the pasteurization and sale of milk, and the awareness was seen and action was taken for these social issues. However, immigrants and other racial groups were not taken into account. Document 1 addresses the poor living conditions that the “poor creatures” meaning immigrants faced. Jacob Riis saw the tenements as foul and badly planned with unhealthy room and overcrowding. The purpose of the document was to bring awareness to the poor conditions of the tenements. Political parties used voting bases offered by immigrants to gain their own personal benefits. Poor housing, sanitation, and health care became prevalent in most immigrant communities also became a focus for reformers. Blacks did not gain any rights and continued to suffer under the racism and segregation they were subjected to. Wilson’s cabinet was full of politicians who supported segregation and the separation of races in public locations. Native Americans were equally ignored by the Progressive Movement reformers as they were seen as people who needed to be changed into American culture.
Overall, the Progressive Movement did achieve numerous accomplishments socially, economically, and politically. However, social reforms were not as inclusive as the other aspects discussed and mentioned.