American Life Improved in the Progressive Era
American Life Improved in the Progressive Era
In the Progressive Era Americans worked hard to improve life. Progressive politicians worked to change life through the government. Reformers worked on a variety of different fields to help society. Suffragettes fought for women’s rights. During the Progressive Era Americans had a positive effect on their countries development.
First, Woodrow Wilson was a famous progressive politician that worked both nationally and internationally. Wilson was involved in the progressive movement. He grew up during the Civil War and reconstruction. He did not learn to read until he was twelve years old. Wilson’s father was a Presbyterian minister. He was also very interested in public affairs so he decided to become involved in politics. When he became president he lowered or eliminated tariffs on imported items through The Underwood Tariff. Wilson than reformed the U.S. banking system (federal super banks) which was the only thing that could issue money. He also sponsored an act that could restrict the power of big corporations which The Clayton-trust Act. Wilson then created an agency to regulate overseas shipping, make government loans to farmers, ban child labor, and regulate an eight-hour workday for farmers. He was also very involved in international issues and the League of Nations that he fought to get America involved in. As a result of Wilson’s hard work the American economy was greatly improved and many laws were passed in order to improve life. Woodrow Wilson was a hard working progressive who had a positive effect on society.
Upton Sinclair was a progressive reformer that worked by writing books. Sinclair represented the muckraking movement. His most famous book was The Jungle. The Jungle depicted the unfair labor practices and unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry in Chicago. Sinclair actually wanted to create sympathy for immigrants working in the Meatpacking industry. “I aimed at the public’s heart but hit it in the stomach,” He said about the public out cry because of the conditions in the industry. (5)