How Successful Was The Progressive Movement In The Early Twentieth Century

The early twentieth century was a time of major change in the United States. These changes were caused by the progressive movement where individuals and groups aimed at changing American society and values. As written in The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People, "The progressive movement began as preachers, novelists, journalists, photographers, and painters highlighted appalling conditions in America's cities and factories. Intellectuals offered ideas for reform through the creative use of government. Primarily middle class, progressives sought to improve urban life and working conditions, eliminate political corruption, and curb the excesses of the new urban, industrial society."
One achievement of the Progressives in the

On any typical work day, many workers were either killed or badly injured. The employers, however, claimed that the injuries and deaths were caused by the carelessness of employees, not unsafe conditions. The employees who were badly injured were most often fired on the spot. Consequently, progressives and other reformers pressured state legislatives to create workers' compensation. These laws stated that the employers make payments into insurance funds in order to pay for an employee's injuries. As stated in American History: The Modern Era Since 1865, "Workers' compensation laws not only helped injured workers, they improved working conditions for all workers because employers with low accident rates paid lower insurance premiums. Legislation established state agencies to inspect factories, limited workers' hours, and attempted to end crowded, unsanitary work environments." Workers' Compensation is important because it helps keep individuals safe in the workplace. These laws are important in businesses because it helps to pay medical expenses for the worker, where as before the 1900's employees were unable to get any form of payment to help with their medical care from their employers. They often had to continue working in order to pay for their medical care. Therefore, workers' compensation laws are important in keeping just