The Progressive Era was a time of major changes to the United States. There were many economic, political, social, and environmental reforms. The progressives tried and worked to make America a safer and just better place to be at in general. They thought that through many advancements in the United States would make it a better place for people to settle down. They wanted the government to help control and regulate the big businesses. The progressives wanted the corrupt politicians to stop controlling the local and state government. They wanted to improve working conditions in factories, and make better living conditions for those who lived in slum areas. Some famous reformers are Jane Addams, Edith Abbott, Sophonisba Breckinridge, Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis. These people were very influential.  From 1863 to 1899 manufacturing production rose by more than 800%, and the profits went to entrepreneurs who had monopolies and hoarded their wealth. Meanwhile, many workers lived in poverty and they had little power. This is one of the big issues the reformers fought for. Some specific examples of things that reformers fought for were labor rights, women's suffrage, economic reform, environmental protection, and  welfare of the poor, including immigrants.

Progressive Era Introduction

Womens' Suffrage

    Women were not allowed to vote back in the day. They also were not allowed to keep the money they made, have a house, or work in Congress. They wanted a change because it was not fair to them. Some famous reformers for womens' suffrage are Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Lucy Stone, Jane Addams, and Lucretia Mott. The 19th Amendment changed this and allowed women to vote. Women are also now allowed to hold their wage, work in Congress, and own property.

   Then                                                   Now

Women were not allowed to vote.

0 Women In Congress

Women were not allowed to own property.

Women are not allowed to keep their wages.

The 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote.

There are women in Congress in some states.

Women can now own property.

Women are allowed to keep wages.

Temperance Movement

    There were many problems with alcohol, and drinkers were encouraged to try and support each other. They wanted them to help each other resist the temptation, and they all thought that alcohol was the root of all the problems. They wanted local, national, and state government to outlaw alcohol everywhere. This made it worse because people were trying to illegally get alcohol. Some famous Temperance Movement reformers were James Black, Neal Dow, and Billy Sunday.

         Then                                    Now 

-Alcohol was believed to be bad and the root of all problems.

-It was banned everywhere.

-Urged people to drink no alcohol.

-Alcohol isn't seen as terrible today.

-It is only not able to sold in certain places.

-People are urged not to drink and do dangerous things.