Question

Between 1890 and 1920, reformers, sometimes called Progressives, attempted to respond to changes in the United States with a wide variety of reforms. a. Briefly explain ONE Progressive economic reform between 1890 and 1920. b. Briefly explain ONE Progressive social or political reform between 1890 and 1920. c. Briefly explain the short- or long-term impact of the economic reform explained in Part A or the political reform explained in Part B.

Answer 1

Answer:

The progressive era is the name given to a period in the history of the United States from 1890 to 1920, although it is sometimes more restrictively associated with the years of the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909).  

It was an era in partial break with the laissez-faire and individualism of the previous period, characterized by economic, political, social and moral reforms in response to the changes and problems induced by the industrial revolution: disappearance of an organized social life around small communities, instability resulting from the anarchist development of industry, commerce, business, large cities, agriculture, massive immigration from southern and eastern Europe, escalation of violent social conflicts, upheavals caused by technological progress.

Some key reforms such as guaranteeing the right to vote for women date back to this period, but the era of progress has not benefited all US residents equally, including minorities, and reforms have not always had expected beneficial effects. Some policies, such as prohibition, were a resounding failure.