Though America has faced lots of challenges during 1865 and 1945, many beneficial achievements were still enjoyed by the citizens. The most significant breakthrough was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, the progressive era. Throughout the era, the president intiated widespread social activism and political reforms across all the states in America. Typically, the era started in the dawn of the 19th century and diminished in the early years of the next century. To be specific, it ranged from 1890 to 1920 and its central aim was to eradicate corruption in the country using political and social means. The removal of the corrupt and biased political leaders was projected to launch during the the era of direct democracy. With this general information regarding the subject matter, this paper seeks to discuss in detail, the United States’ most important achievement in the period between 1865 and 1945 including its benefits to citizens and why the aforementioned achievement gained a lasting significance to the American society.
The United States Most Important Achievement in the Period between 1865 and 1945 (Progressive Era)
The Progressive Movement was an opinion that later grew into a strong association. Only a few individuals were recieving the benefits of the Industrial Revolution in America and the rest of the citizens were suffering from socioeconomic issues. Therefore, the pioneers of the progressive era believed it was time for the change. A new American community was designed with the purpose of creating a better living standards of the general citizens. The reformers came up with strategic ways of harnessing the authority of the federal state to minimise the existence of corruption and questionable business deals. They installed some mechanisms to control the private sectors as well as the emerging monopolies. The antitrust laws managed the rising calamity of crooked businesses. The rules gave way for the promotion of legitimacy in the business world.
During the period, several laws and acts were passed to advance the Progressive Era. For example, the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.. The purpose of the act was to dilute the centralization of power that meddles with the market and, hence, minimizes economic rivalry. Though the bill was formulated in 1890, it made its greatest leap during the reign of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. In this context, the act illegalized monopolizing any industry within the market across all the states of America.[footnoteRef:1] As a result, citizens enjoyed the massive benefits of the act since the penalties were passed for every trade malpractices and thus reduced prices of consumer goods in favor of the citizens. [1: Andrew C. Baker, “The Progressive Era,” The American Yawp Reader.]
Roosevelt played an enormous role in the movement. The president was known for breaking business trusts, for example, The Northern Securities, which allowed big bankers to hold a “controlling share” in railroad companies. “Roosevelt was by no means antibusiness. Instead, he envisioned his presidency as a mediator between opposing forces, such as between labor unions and corporate executives.” The president started to enforce changes in his support of American citizens when the Triangle Shirtwaist factory had caught on fire and hundreds of women tragically died. Subsequently, workers had gone on strike and wrote many journals, books, articles in magazines depicting the horror of what had happened using pictures and vivid imagery. The Jungle, a novel coined by Upton Sinclair, depicted the poor living conditions of immigrants in industrial areas. The book forced Theodore to pass reforms such as the Drug Act, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food Act. The laws improved the living standards of the casual laborers. Typically, there was proper administration of food and drugs.
In support of the Sherman Act, two more laws were formulated by the Congress. Some of the typical laws formed in addition to Sherman Act included and not limited to the Clayton Act and the birth of the Federal Trade Commission, 1914.[footnoteRef:2] The two acts expounded the general statutes of the Sherman Act and made specifications on banning practices that promoted monopolisation. The laws came into existence under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson. The commission was created to act as an overseer in the investigation of any violation of the Antitrust Acts. The agency issued regulations preventing unfair competition. Further, the commission enacted the acts with the aim of protecting consumers and therefore, the citizens were able to purchase goods whose prices were not hiked by the sellers. [2: Baker, 1.]
Several laws in the US constitution had to be reviewed during the Progressive Period. The amendments became a lasting significance to the Progressive Era. Congress amended the constitution four times. The 16th amendment changed the mode of paying the income/ salary tax. It cancelled the prior method of taxing (apportionment), and citizens paid their taxes as per their income disparieities.[footnoteRef:3] The 17th amendment gave the American citizens right to vote for individuals who would represent them in both Houses. Although the people voted, business oligarchs still managed to use their influence to elect senators with their interests. However, the citizens could again vote in exemplary leaders. [3: Maureen A. Flanagan, “Progressives and Progressivism in an Era of Reform,” Oxford Research Encyclopedias.]
In 1919, Congress banned the use of alcohol in the country. The Volstead Act of prohibiting alcohol brewing and consumption bore little fruits. In the oncoming years, it achieved ratification, but was later repealed. The nineteenth amendment was designed to extend the rights of women to vote. In the previous constitution, women did not participate in local and national matters. Wyoming became the first state to exercise the duty. Ever since, women are always allowed to vote and take part in local, national and international matters.
Despite all the achievements, the Era had its dark moments. The reformists couldn’t fully redistribute power from political machines. The Progressive reformers and Civil Rights activists did not concur in lots of issues.
Bibliography
- Baker, Andrew C. “The Progressive Era.” The American Yawp Reader. Accessed December 27, 2018. http://www.americanyawp.com/text/20-the-progressive-era/.
- Flanagan, Maureen A. ‘Progressives and Progressivism in an Era of Reform.’ Oxford Research Encyclopedias. October 19, 2017. Accessed December 29, 2018. http://oxfordre.com/americanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.001.0001/acrefore-9780199329175-e-84.
