Progressive Reform Era essays

Progressive Reform Era essays The Progressive Reform era marked a huge change in American society. By the turn of the 20th century, society was becoming increasingly urbanized, with families moving to the city to find work in industries that had not existed even a few years before. Cities had always existed, of course, but they grew tremendously as immigrants came to America from many other countries to find new opportunities, and because so many people were moving from agricultural areas to the city. This helped lead to a more prosperous society, and a new middle class of people that attempted to change many aspects of society. This middle class was better off, better educated, and determined to create social change in the country, from supporting women's votes to even supporting unions and the Socialist Party in some cases. The impact of the city and factories on women and children was not nearly as positive as it was on many other members of society. Women and children often toiled for long hours and little pay in the factories, and industrialists took advantage of them in every way they could. This is why labor unions were initially formed, because many business owners were extremely cruel and manipulative of their workers, and did not pay them enough to live on, so they created an entire level of poverty-stricken wage earners as well as a thriving middle class. Technology was what allowed the cities to develop as they did. Innovations such as the railroad and the automobile helped make transporting goods easier and cheaper. There were also many manufacturing innovations, such as the assembly line invented by Ford that made manufacturing more efficient and cost-effective. This lead to development of new technologies and innovations that continue to improve Americans' lives. The new middle class created more social reformers who were concerned with the plight of the poor and immigrants, and they worked to create better working conditions and unders...