Reform Movement 1900-1920

Throughout history, reform movements emerged, causing a tremendous social extension of reform from the late nineteenth century into the Progressive movement of 1900-1920. Subsequent to moving into the United States, immigrants had seen a new side of the impeccable nation it lead itself on to be, as many children previously living in America, were living in squalid conditions and were being exhausted through extensive and unsafe work. Along with immigrants, women in America were also beginning to be deeply bothered by issues that at once seemed minimal, such as restricting corporate power which caused prices to either fall or rise, and last but not least, the unfair law of having to be a male to vote. Notwithstanding, with the absence of early …show more content…
However, those seven words were not exactly what one should expect while entering the United States. Even before the 1900s, reformers were feverishly looking to improve the squalid life of all Americans, especially immigrants, women and children. Through past reform movements in the late nineteenth century, progressivism flourished and excelled even more due to their inspirational nature during 1900-1920. Without early reform movements to commence later movements, such as Child Labor Laws (1938), the regulation of corporations (1903) and Women’s Suffrage (1920), Progressivism would not have been as advantageous as it had been. In more ways than one, the Progressive Movement more so affected America socially rather than economically, politically or …show more content…
Within the seldom years of 1900-1920, numerous movements involving working took place, undoubtedly due to the horrible conditions of Americans, including children. In the beginning, the National Labor Union (1866-1873) stood for an eight hour work day and began the way to the Knights of Labor, (1880s) which inevitably paved the way for the Child Labor Laws to take precedence. Conditions for children in the workplace were sordid and dangerous, consisting of the operating of dangerous equipment and overuse of children in the workplace, over exhausting young children who should be at home and cared for by their mothers. Socially, after Child Labor Laws were passed, there was an increase in leisure time along with an increase of the health of children, improving their lives drastically. Nonetheless, Child Labor Laws were passed and continue to have an affect on life, all thanks to the early reformers who began protesting for an eight hour work day, the National Labor