How Did Ida B Wells Contribute To The Progressive Movement

During the progressive movement a wave of social activism and political reform swept the nation. Between monopolies, corruption and new activism for women's suffrage along with civil rights, the 1890s to 1920s was a time of advancement in thinking. Ida B. Wells made many significant contributions to the future of women and Black Americans. Initially during reconstruction after the civil war, along with the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, African Americans had been hopeful for equality. Moreover, around the time of the progressive era, they had been faced with horrific violence, economic struggles and enforcement of segregation. Additionally the public championed the idea of Social Darwinism, because of the biological evolution

The death of her best friend due to lynching along with being forcibly removed from a train seat which she paid for directly led to her outspoken voice for civil rights, lynching and segregation. During the progressive era, she educated, published and spread news of racial inequality, brought awareness to the popularized act of lynching, protested, and created national associations for colored people and womens sufferage. She dedicated her entire life to challenging racism, sexism and violence, paving the way for future generations and leaving a legacy due to her commitment to justice.

Ida B. Wells was such an influential reformer in the progressive era due to her passion for writing and journalism the spreading of truth. After being fired from her teaching job she became a co-owner of a newspaper called Free Speech and Headlight, this was the start of using journalism and publishing to express her passion for civil rights. The issue of lynching in America became such a popularized crime due to it being justified for an accusation of things such as murder, robbery and arson, many were even lynched without being accused. In her influential book The Red Record published in

She worked with them in the protest pamphlet The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World's Columbian Exposition which was distributed widely. But it was clear to her that her work wasn't finished, Wells created several clubs and suffrage organizations. “The Alpha Suffrage Club was the first black female suffrage club in Chicago aiming to give a voice to women that had been excluded from other suffrage organizations”(Ida B. Wells). During this period, black women were subservient to white men and women, but once women got the right to vote in the 19th amendment, the Alpha Suffrage Club was intended for the main purpose of instructing them to exercise their rights. Jim Crow Laws also contributed to voter suppression and the prevention of Black citizens to be able to vote. Along with voter suppression was the grandfather clause to exclude African Americans from participating in democracy. Overall Wells helped encourage the passion for women's suffrage. From the very beginning during the Seneca Falls Convention, female suffrage had now taken a step further for equality with the help of social