What Was The Impact Of The Progressive Movement

Before the Progressive movement, government officials tended to view their role in the economy as limited. They believed that their primary responsibility was to maintain law and order and protect private property, rather than to regulate business practices or protect workers. Workers were often viewed as commodities, rather than as citizens with rights, and their safety and well-being were not considered a priority. The Triangle Fire documentary shows that in 1911 when the tragedy occurred, the workers' conditions were extremely poor, and the factory owners and government officials were indifferent to their plight. The Progressive movement helped to change this perspective by advocating for government intervention to protect workers and regulate

They saw the economy as an interdependent system in which the well-being of workers was essential for the overall health of society. Progressives wanted to drastically reduce the power of large corporations and ensure that workers were treated fairly and justly. Some examples of the Progressive movement's goals can be seen in the way laws were passed by Congress and local and state governments. For one instance, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act were passed to ensure that the food and drug industries were controlled and that consumers weren't harmed by harmful products. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established a minimum wage, and maximum workweek, and prohibited the employment of children under the age of 16 in perilous occupations. These laws were a significant departure from the earlier idea that the government should not intervene in the economy and showed that Progressives believed in using government power to control business practices and, most importantly, protect its employees. The Triangle Fire documentary puts the spotlight on the change brought by the Progressive movement. The documentary shows the horrific conditions faced by workers in 1911, which led to the death of 146 workers, and the poor response of the factory owners and government officials. This tragedy served as a humongous catalyst for the Progressive movement, which pushed for laws and regulations that would protect workers and prevent similar tragedies from happening