Upton Sinclair: Progressive Writer The Progressive Era was a changing point for America. “Progressives” wanted health and safety codes established, stop corruption of political machines, and conserve natural resources. The things that pushed this era into effect were bad working conditions, corruption in politics, and a need for improved child education. The main point of the Progressive Era was to reform America and make it a better place. Someone who did that was Upton Sinclair. Upton Sinclair was born in a small row house in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 20, 1878. He was the only child of an alcoholic liquor salesman and a puritanical, strong-willed mother, he was raised on the edge of poverty, but was also exposed to the privileges