The Progressive Era Essay Example

Do you ever wonder what society was like before the big changes that led to industrialization? The United States Idustaartion Era began after the Civil War. The United States was industrializing speedily. Americans had many ideas for Industrializing. There were many positives and negatives to Industrialization. The United States was faced with many problems in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the late 1800s and the early 1900s individuals, groups and the government tried to resolve these arising problems. With large efforts from individuals, groups, and the government, the problems of the nation were reduced. Two problems were the poor living conditions and the unsafe working conditions. Industrialization created a better overall society and environment for the American people. 

There were many problems and benefits in The Progressive Era. One problem that was faced is poverty. People were very poor and couldn't afford much. The homes that the poor could afford were called tenements. They were extremely small, narrow, and overcrowded. The conditions within these homes were dreadful. These homes were very dirty and there was a very small amount of space. People were often getting diseases from these conditions. Although for most people tenements were an upgrade from the homes that these people were originally coming from, they were still in very poor condition. (Doc 1) Another problem that occurred was people spending all of their money on alcohol. If they spend all of their money on alcohol they can not put money towards food, clothing, and most importantly their rent. This will eventually drive them into poverty. (Doc 3)

Another problem that was faced was unsafe working conditions. These conditions led to new laws being passed.  Due to Upton Sinclar writing his book, “The Jungle”, the meat packing industry was investigated. He investigated the industry and exposed the real, unsanitary conditions of the industry. They were selling harmful and dirty food to consumers that was extremely unsafe to eat. These conditions led to the Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and they were stopped by Roosevelt. (Doc 4) 

During this time women were also trying to achieve women's suffrage rights. Women worked very hard in trying to achieve voting rights. They set up peaceful protests and held up signs. Individuals like Carrie Chapman Catt who took over the NWSA and created a plan of gaining suffrage by campaigning state by state and Alice Paul who formed a new organization Called the NWP and met with the president, played big roles in gaining suffrage. They would not pause before they achieved their goals. The long and dangerous fight is known as the Women's suffrage Movement. Congress finally passed the 19th Amendment (which guarantees women the right to vote) in 1920. Once they did this the number of voters dobbleed and women could vote all around the country. (Doc 5)

It was difficult to industrialize in the 19th and 20th centuries. Americans had to work very hard and overcome many obstacles to be able to achieve industrialization. 

The poor living conditions of the people in the tenement homes were very hard to live in. Although these conditions were better than the conditions that most were coming from they were still tough to live in. Due to the fact that the tenements were extremely overcrowded the risk of disease was much higher and spread very rapidly. Since the poor working conditions were poor, big business took over the government and gave the people no say. The conditions were also poor when processing and selling food. The progressive Era improved American society greatly. Due to the hard work of Americans, new laws and amendments were passed to enhance life for all.