Dbq Essay On The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era was a period of great progress between the 1890s to the 1920s. An ultimate factor that contributed to progressivism was the force of industrialism. At the time, America was experiencing technological innovation which in turn affected society socially and politically. “Progressive reformers brought into public debate issues such as the role of women in society and the rights of labor” (Brinkley, 476). Essentially, reformers were raising awareness for women involvement in society. There are three factors that demonstrate how progressivism affected women. The first factor is the work of muckrakers who were “crusading journalists that began to direct public attention toward social and political injustices by exposing scandal,

One of the major impacts that women had on progressivism was their backlash against traditional roles in society. “Many women were having fewer children, and more women began looking for activities outside the home. Some educated women shunned marriage entirely, believing that only by remaining single could they play roles in the public world” (Brinkley, 481). Essentially, women began focusing on their education and careers and spent less time thinking of marriage and starting a family. They were removing the stigma of women being subjected to the household by pursing more activities in the public sector of society. “Beginning in the 1880s, women’s clubs began largely as cultural organizations to provide women with an outlet for their intellectual energies” (Brinkley, 481). Women began gathering as groups to assess issues in society and this was the mark of a cultural shift. This is because prior to these groups, women had a limited voice in society and had little interaction with the public. Now, that women were more involved they began to create a voice for themselves during the Progressive Era. This then led to the battle for woman’s suffrage. “Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote… if we are to consider her as a citizen, as a member of a great nation, she must have the same rights as all other members” (Brinkley, 483). Woman began fighting for equality by pushing for voting rights. Furthermore, women affected progressivism by developing roles outside of the household and also urging for suffrage which led to the passage of the 19th amendment that granted women the right to