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Early 1900: Business Expansion And Progressive Reforms

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The era of early 1900 was regarded as business expansion and progressive reforms. By 1900’s the United State became a very rich and powerful nation as a result of industrialization and urbanization. Its economy transferred into a major world economy. However, this massive transition has both good and bad effects and great changes in American society caused many problems which called for reforms that’s why era of 1900 is called progressive era. These reforms included political, economic and social reforms. Reforms were made at city; state and national level while, progressive presidents enhanced reforms program nation wide and started groundwork for future success. A wide variety of reform movements also developed from 1890’s to 1920’s and throw …show more content…

Wages were low while, women and children were paid less than male workers. In addition there was no job security for the workers. These terrible working conditions very soon led to labor unions. While, employers used to fire the people who went in unions and even tried to attack strikers by factory security guards and even by federal troops. The gap between rich and poor was very significant in cities as the rich were living in a lavish townhouses and clean neighborhood while the poor were forced to live in slums with poor sanitary conditions. In urban areas problems of waste disposal, air and water pollution, congestion, poor sanitary conditions, poverty, crime and spread of diseases gave rise to labor unrest and violence. On the other side, powerful monopolies controlled prices, nation’s natural resources were abused and government showed no response on impact of industrialization and urbanization. At that time laissez-faire philosophy prevailed. Industrialization change the role of women especially, they worked outside the home for economic needs and their greater role in society. Middle and upper class women took jobs as teacher, doctors, lawyers and social workers. Later on they became active member of the progressive movement and win the right to vote called

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