The Progressive Era Through the Civil War

The Progressive Era in the United States was a period of social activism and political reform that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s. Progressive reformers sought to eliminate corruption in government, regulate business practices, address health hazards, improve working conditions, and give the public more direct control over government through direct primaries to nominate candidates for public office, direct election of Senators, the initiative, referendum, recall, and women's suffrage. This era was also an effort to cure many of the disadvantages of American society that had developed during the great spurt of industrial growth in the last quarter of the 19th century. There were great cities and businesses that developed, but not all citizens shared in the new wealth, prestige, and optimism.

Four constitutional amendments were adopted during the Progressive era, which authorized an income tax, provided for the direct election of senators, extended the vote to women, and prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. At the local level, many Progressives sought to suppress red-light districts, expand high schools, construct playgrounds, and replace corrupt urban political machines with more efficient system of municipal government. At the state level, Progressives enacted minimum wage laws for women workers, instituted industrial accident insurance, restricted child labor, and improved factory regulation. At the national level, Congress passed laws establishing federal regulation of the meat-packing, drug, and railroad industries, and strengthened anti-trust laws. It also lowered the tariff, established federal control over the banking system, and enacted legislation to improve working condition. Progressive reformers were not just limited to political systems but their ideas influenced business and educational practices and attempted to improve the overall quality of life for many Americans. This has continued to have an impact on our...