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Child Labor and Labor Laws
In 1893, Florence Kelly helped to pass laws preventing child labor, and by 1912, these laws had been passed in 39 states. However, the enforcement of these laws was extroardinarily lax, and things remained primarily unchanged. Many laws were passed during this time to help end the tedious labor mentality. -
The Progressive Movement
Industrialization transforms the nation during the 1900's. Due to the excell of the growing economy and the expansion of the middle class, the strain between the rich and the poor grew as well. Also, this rapid industrialization lead to extremely unsafe and impractical workign conditions. The idea that these problems could be resolved was known as "Progressivism", and these concepts started The Progressive Movement. -
Ida Tarbell
Ida Tarbell releases the first installment of "History of the Standard Oil Company". Tarbell was the only female in her class during her time at Allegheny College. She was controversially labeled as a Muckrucker, and was one of the leading Women during the Age of Reform. -
W.E.B Du Bois
W.E.B Du Bois wrote "The Souls of Black Folk" in 1903, a sociology book that stressed the idea of Duel Identity as both American and African. He studied and taught at a prominent African American College until 1910. A strong supporter of civil rights, Du Bois proved to be very influential to the rise of reform. -
Social and Business Problems
The onslaught of Amerian industrialization brought on a tremednous amount of unjust business and social protocol. Nearly 70 percent of Americans were working an average of 54 hours a week for a very low pay, and often under extremely poor and sometimes deadly conditions. Thousands of people, young and old, were injured or even killed under these terrible accomodations. -
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
This organization, which still exists today, works to eliminate racial discrimination. The NAACP, at the time of its founding, hoped to end the practice of "lynching" African Americans by mobs, particularly in the south. The group also worked to eliminate segregation in the South, sand was once of the first associations born of reform. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
One hundred and forty workers perished while working in a garmet shop that had no proper safety precautions. Victims were killed in a fire on the eighth stroy of the factory, where there were no escape windows or available fire escapes. This disaster lead to the formation of the Women's Trade Union League. This group aimed to improve working conditions, primarily for women. -
Writers in Progressivism
Many acclaimed writers and intellectuals examined the pros and cons of rapid industrialization by publishishing books and dissecting the problems. Writer Theodore Dreiser wrote novles such as "The Financier" and "Sister Carrie", both of which depicted the brutality and greed of business leaders. Edith Wharton, Herbert Croly, and Jane Addams also published books in this subject matter, all of which feuled the lust for reformation among US citizens. -
Immigrants in Reform
American reform efforts did not elude the efforts of immigrants. Many progressives aimed to achieve Americanization for immigrants, which would grant them citizenship to the states. Political bosses and machines helped to justify the rights of immigrants by publishing books and articles, and becoming active in the cause. -
Moral Reform
During this period, citizens sought moral reform within their cities. In 1917, the Eighteenth Ammendment to the Constitution was proposed by Congress, which stated the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol was prohibited. Ratified in 1919, the unpopular ammendment was repealed in 1933. Another cultural advance believed to be culprit of moral corruption was moviegoing. In 1903, a film entitled "The Great Train Robbery" was made. Many saw movies as a source of immoral temptation.
