The Progressive Era, lasting from about 1890 to 1920, was a period of social reform and adaptation to the new technologies and advancements of the Gilded Age. With the increase of railroads and other means of transportation, people in the Progressive Era had access to more goods and information than ever before. Society was adapting to new industries that required less man power and more machine power, and domestic life was no different. The technologies introduced into the homes of white middle-class women meant that the workload they adopted was much lighter. Women of this era arguably felt some of the most significant changes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. With more leisure time and less household responsibilities, many …show more content…
The social activism of the Progressive Era gave rise to the birth of the feminist movement and the idea of a “new woman” who could manage both domestic responsibilities and pursue other career-related and leisurely activities independent of her husband and …show more content…
Many women who were considered feminists in this era were also supporters of Jim Crow laws and believed that African Americans were part of society’s problems. Feminism throughout this time period was also exclusive to women of the middle-class because workingwomen and poor women did not have the luxury of technology and worked out of necessity rather than for autonomy. Another issue with this part of the movement was that once a woman had children, she was no longer considered worthy of the rights she had while she was unmarried and childless (Nolan, 370). The birth of the feminist movement in the progressive era paved the way for tackling complex women’s issues into the 1930s. Securing basic rights such as the right to work, vote, and participate in the public sphere were the essential goals of this generation. The early feminist movement ended with the 19th amendment and new issues of equal pay, birth control, and equal treatment were the introduced in the mid-twentieth century. Despite their downfalls, “…this generation of women… led the way in demanding that white women be treated differently than they had in the past” (Burge,
The 19th Amendment was a crucial step towards achieving women's political empowerment and paved the way for future generations of women to participate in the democratic process. The passing of the 19th Amendment was a progressive milestone in American history, as it expanded democracy and paved the way for greater gender equality. Although the previous election was largely dominated by men, as women become more educated and involved in the workforce, it is challenging long-held gender roles and stereotypes. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 was a major milestone in the fight for gender equality, breaking free from the usual stereotype that women were incapable of making decisions (19th Amendment - Definition, Passage & Summary, 2022). The suffragists' activism also brought attention to other social and political issues affecting women, leading to further advocacy and reform efforts.
Margaret Sanger Margaret Sanger, a feminist social reformer, argued that “women cannot be on equal footing with men until they have complete control over their reproductive functions”. Her argument improved our everyday life by providing more information on contraceptives, giving women the power to control their bodies, and changing the role of women and men. Margaret Sanger was determined and dedicated to provide women with information about contraceptives which eventually improved the lives of many women. During the Progressive Era, women had gained a lot more interest in becoming independent by working and improving their education.
Before the 1900s, women were portrayed as fragile individuals incapable of taking part in any hard work or making any decisions for themselves. Their dreams of taking part in the economy, politics, and society were denied simply due to their gender. It wasn’t until suffragists such as Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton decided to take a stand in 1848 and hold a meeting known as the Seneca Falls Convention. This was the first step towards a change for women’s rights that had lasting effects on American society. This suffrage movement grew influence throughout the Civil War and even post-war to the point where women all over the United States joined the suffragists in fighting for thier rights.
During the 1920s women revolutionized a brand new kind of freedom for themselves unlike any other era in history. The strict social constructs of times past were now completely overlooked and rewritten. During the progressive era, women demanded to be seen as full citizens and to have equal responsibilities as men. These series of epic changes all started during World War I, when many men went overseas. This left women to take on the responsibilities left behind by men, and gain a new feeling of freedom from the rigid social structure that required women to be caretakers of the home.
The Progressive Era emerged in the United States from the late 19th century to the late 1920s. This was a time of progress that emerged due to the rapid rate of increase in urbanization and industrialization. In response to the rapid growth, the Progressive movement would begin to work to improve life in the United States. The movement was led by "progressives" who would work to make America a better and safer place to live. They would fight to improve the working conditions in factories and help clean the slums occupied by many immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, among many other things.
In the period between 1900 and 1920, the federal government and reformers were very successful in bringing social, economic, and political reform to the federal government. While not every aspect of it was successful, the rights of women, fighting against child labor and limiting the control of trusts and monopolies were three distinct successes of that time. Even before the progressive era, women challenged their place and articulated new visions of social, political and economic equality. The progressive era was a turning point for women as organizations evolved fighting for equal rights. Woman began to become very involved in a variety of reform movements.
The progressive era which lasted from 1890-1920 in American society was the institution of radical reforms brought about by the millions of Americans involved in volunteer organizations across the country. During this time Americans worked to create solutions to the problems caused by the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the country. The progressive era was not a single movement, but rather a collection of movements all of which were intended to improve the lives of Americans. This was a truly remarkable time for women and the end of the era would see almost universal women’s suffrage with the passing of the nineteenth amendment in 1920.
Progress Of Women In The 1920 's and 30 's Back in the 1920 's women started becoming extremely significant in the society. Before then, women rarely found jobs that accumulated a high enough income to raise a family. However this act of sexism changed in the early years of the 1920 's, women began to get involved in male dominated jobs. This time it worked, women were finally getting their say in political issues and they eventually got the chance to speak up. The government realized the types of distress and discomfort women went through to keep a healthy lifestyle for their young ones.
Prior to the 1920s, society had a very traditional and proper lifestyle, were people maintained a happy home and balanced life. Without the inventions we have today such as televisions, microwaves, ovens, or even washers for our laundry, many time at home was dedicated to cooking and cleaning. Many women were expected to stay at home, do the chores, not voice their opinion, and make life ideal for their husbands. Then, during wars where men were away, women were expected to do work outside the home instead of their usual household chores. At this turning point, women began to recognize their abilities and demand rights as well as break the stereotype that men are more capable than women.
The Unnamed Woman Up until the 1900’s woman had few rights, thus they relied heavily on men. Women could not vote, they could not own their own property, and very few worked. Women’s jobs were solely to care for children and take care of the home. Women during this time, typically accepted their roles in society and the economy ( “Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1909”).
Jane Addams The Progressive Era, 1890-1920, accomplished great change in the Unites States of America. Many reformers and activits demanded for change in education, food and drug policies, and most importantly the govermenet. The goal for the movement was the purify the nation. One of the main activits during this time was Jane Addams. Jane Addams is often refered to as a social and political pioneer.
During the centuries before 1920, women were inferior to men; although their conditions improved slightly with time, they did not have the right to vote and influence directly on social issues that were affecting the United States of America. Feminist movements did not only demand for rights equal to men and improved labor conditions, they commanded to be heard in the matters that affected closely each and every home. Child labor was among the aspects of society they strived to improve in society with the hopes of eliminating it. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, child labor is the employment of children under a certain age in a business in inhumane conditions or violation of state or federal law.
In the Gilded Age, women morphed from domestic slaves to emergent clerical workers; however, the long-standing stigma about what was meant to be a true woman held back progressive thinkers. Women felt this oppression through societal structure, religious beliefs, and unequal treatment under law. By definition, the true woman was one that was an angel for domestic paradise. They cooked, cleaned, took care of the children, and were at their husband's beckon call every waking moment. In the emerging progressive age, the first modern feminists, called the new women, were the upper and middle class women who extended greater influence in politics, economy, and other life far beyond the domestic sphere.
After the Civil War, women were willing to gain the same rights and opportunities as men. The war gave women the chance to be independent, to live for themselves. Women’s anger, passion, and voice to protest about what they were feeling was the reason of making the ratification of the 19th amendment, which consisted of giving women the right to vote. One of the largest advancement of that era was the women’s movement for the suffrage, which gave them the reason to start earning
Women in the Progressive Era The Progressive Era was a time of change across America, a time when the country chose to reform into an industrialized urban country. Prosperity was widespread across America, so people turned to social issues to try to expand. Minorities in particular became a focus of this time period, and everyone tried to find a way to integrate them into society.