Progressivism During The Progressive Era

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The Progressive Era refers to a period of time that took place during the 1890s to 1920s. It was a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States. There were major concerns in regards to labor and concerns about the modern city. Progressivism began as a social movement and grew into a political movement. It was believed that through education, safe environments, and efficient workplace; poverty, class welfare, and working conditions could be addressed. Social reformers like Jane Addams and Jacob Riis gave powerful first hand insight to this area through their writing. During the Progressive Era there was concern about labor and the modern city. Working and living conditions were at its worse. The wealthy…show more content…
Primary sources are created during the time of the event and are not been altered in any way. Primary sources allow history to be brought back to life and give accurate account of the event. Primary sources hold many emotions because these are people writing pieces while they are living in the moment. There are words that are used in primary sources that otherwise are lost in history and can’t be rewritten in secondary sources. For example, in “Subjective Necessity for Social Settlement,” Jane Addams wrote that no matter what improvements we make it means nothing if we do not improve as a whole. “…That the highest moralists have taught that without the advancement and improvement of the whole, no man can hope for any lasting improvement…” (Addams, 1919). These words come to life in a primary source document because she is speaking from being and living in the…show more content…
Progressive reform aimed to bridge the gap between individual rights and the public good (Foss, 2015). One of the major concerns was child labor. Child labor was cheap and children were needed in the factories the working condition were horrible. Children acquired illnesses, were living in poverty, and placed in dangerous work environments. They were forced to work long hours for very little pay. Child labor was for the good of the public, but it infringed on their individual rights. The Hull House came about during this era, which was funded by Jane Addams and received donations from wealthy women. It gave women and children a place to live for a very low cost. There were classes on education, cooking, child development, cultural activities and research. Addams writes that, “The Settlement then is an experimental effort to aid in the solution of the social and industrial problems, which are engendered by the modern conditions of life in a great city” (Addams, 1919). Progressivism argues that children should be in school receiving an education not working in factories. The Hull House was a great example of a reform during this

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