Monica Long

03/08/15
3B
Progressivism
Between the years 1900-1917 many reforms were initiated in order to achieve a stronger,
more united nation. These reforms varied greatly, but consisted of social, political, and economic
ordeals. In general, the Progressive Movement was a period of activism that involves much
controversy and differing opinions. There were several different reforms during this time period,
ranging from womens suffrage, child labor laws, national and state park reforms, tariff reforms,
and so on. Each of these reforms sought out one main goal; to better their conditions in order to
achieve a greater nation. All of the reforms that were made during these years were effective and
important in one way or another because they brought us to becoming the nation that America is
today. The Progressive Movement was all in all successful; the reforms helped to preserve many
important national landmarks, attain equal rights for women, blacks, and other minorities, gave
the possibility of public schooling and education for all children across the country, regulated the
horrific working conditions of the time, and more.
Some of the reforms that took place during this time originate from the industrialism of
the time period. As U.S. Senator Elihu Root explains how the progressive reform movement
began, he says the industrial developments are continuously and progressively demanding the
readjustment of the relations between society and the establishment of new legal rights (Doc.
1). The industrialism from the time brought different impacts on the people and eventually led
them to demanding for better conditions due to the many lives lost working with the many

different developing industries. It is evident when President Woodrow Wilson, during his
inaugural address, expresses his opinions about industrialism when he says, We have been
proud of our achievements, but we have not stopped thoughtfully enough to count the human
costs (Doc 2). The achievements, being industrialism, and the human costs, being the lives and
terrible conditions, Wilson explains that while industrialism is an achievement and has brought
the nation great wealth, he acknowledges the tragedies and wrongs that have been done by it,
which brings the movements for reform.
Activists during this time were all pushing for the same rights in different areas;
politically, socially or economically. John Spargo, who was an active socialist, or a progressive
muckraker, fought for causes such as government controls over the pasteurization and sale of
milk to protect the health of babies and children (Doc. 4), while other activists, such as President
Theodore Roosevelt, sought to protect and preserve national landmarks , especially during the
National Conversation Congress when he exclaims, to waste our natural resources, to skin and
exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in
the days of our children the very prosperity which we out by right to hand down to them
amplified and developed (Doc. 6). Since there are two completely different individuals, from
two completely different statuses, it is showing that the Progressive Movement was not only
important all over the country, but it was successful in the mass amounts of efforts made to
restore the evils of the country and to humanize the process of common life. (Doc. 2)
During the Progressive Movement, there were several different significant reforms that
were developed and made for the betterment of the country and for the actual rights of men, and
women. Whether it was a middle class educated individual, a former slave, or the president of the
United States, they were all fighting for a cause that would lead to a successful country and equal

rights between all citizens of the country. The Progressive Movement was a period of time where
people came together, even though they had disagreements, and all sought out to correct different
aspects of the country by forming social, economic, and political reforms. These different
reforms, and the movement in general, was more than less successful in addressing their
demands, because it has brought us to now; where we have the ability to earn an education, the
right to vote no matter the gender or color, the safe working conditions in most, if not all
employment aspects of the country, the ability to see the nations great and vast landmarks and
national parks, along with hundreds of other opportunities that Americans today take for granted
that were fought for so hard between 1900-1917.