Progressivism In The 18th Century

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At the turn of the 18th century, Progressivism fueled an era of social and political reform in efforts to ultimately create a better society. One key ascept of Progressivism were reform movements that sought to dispel the imperfections of society. The Temperance Movement, The Movement for better Factory Labor Conditions and Woman’s Suffrage, were all Progressive social reform groups that shaped the US. Progressivism was fueled by the idea of eliminating sin from one’s life through faith and morals. People associated with the Temperance Movement felt that intoxication was a sin that negatively affected society. As a result, Temperance reformers sought to fight against the consumption of alcohol, mostly in saloons. However, besides the saloons being the main provider of alcohol to civilians, at the time community saloons were also an immigrantion hub for …show more content…

Many workers were suffering from injuries and even death as a result of neglectant employers and poor working conditions. For example, in 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. About 150 workers died, most being young immigrant woman because the factories owners previously locked all the exits and stairwells in efforts to prevent theft. This event was one of deadliest indrustrial tradegies in New York City, yet led to creation of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, a labor union that aimed to fix the poor working conditions for sweatshop and later factory workers. These reformers, along with other labor unions eventually succeeded in getting states to pass legislation concerning labor conditions such as worker’s compensation and limiting the amount of hours woman could work. Such laws and others that follow demonstrated how the labor reform movement shaped the US through the Progressive