THE PROGRESSIVE ERA

THE PROGRESSIVE ERA THE PROGRESSIVE ERATo many, it seemed as if America's development was too good to be true. Immigrants flooded in hoping for a better life and a new start. Politicians ran for office all with a better platform than the last. By the early 1900's though, reality struck American cities. Labor in the cities was tough, with unsafe conditions and long hours, all for a minimum wage that could only afford for the increasing slum apartments. Different companies took advantage of the same working class of the cities, usually overcharging them for services and lying to them whenever possible. With all this going on, the public turned to the government, but realized the corrupt system would never be able to help much. The government was filled with unqualified officials whom, after being banned from the spoils system, were still being bribed by companies, criminals, etc. for special treatment. Americans desperately waited in disappointment for the change they needed.English: Jane Addams in a carT he laborers for these large businesses worked in poor conditions filled with safety hazards and minimal pay. The laborers also crowded to these factories in the overpopulated cities such as New York City and Chicago. When fired immigrants would take over the job for less pay. Such events brought upon great strikes and violence. Something had to be done. When all of American society was affected in the way businesses the people banded together to stop the chaos. The progressive movement was all about the regulation of business, no labor exploitation, federal intervention to help out the rest of America.Inventors, philosophers, social theorists, and historians led the progressive movement laying down the groundwork for the future. They believed that intelligent disciplined people should lead America into its new age. Being methodical in their ways, they used scientific methods to solve...