The growth of labor unions is a vital part of the Progressive Era. Labor unions are organizations that aim to improve conditions and raise wages for a group of workers by negotiating with the management as a group. The problems they sought to fix included long hours, low wages, unsafe conditions, child labor, and no job security.
Labor Union Tactics
Labor union tactics include collective bargaining and strikes. However, opposition to labor unions was influenced by big business leaders who believed that they had the right to set wages and that government intervention was unnecessary.
Government Opposition to Labor Unions
The government's opposition, often involving violence, was aimed at breaking up unions, claiming that unions had a monopoly over the labor supply.
Labor Reforms
In response to the challenges faced by labor unions and workers, labor reforms were implemented, including child labor laws and the Clayton Antitrust Act. These reforms aimed to protect labor unions while allowing the government to break up monopolies.
A significant part of the Progressive Era involved social reforms. These were intended to expand democracy, regulate big business, and protect the welfare of the people, addressing the issues arising from industrialization and urbanization.
Social Gospel Movement
The Social Gospel Movement, led by urban, educated middle-class Americans, sought to provide services and help with improving working conditions. It aimed to stop child labor and establish settlement houses to assist immigrants, in addition to stopping the sale and consumption of alcohol. This movement was motivated by the belief that the government should be used to improve society and protect the welfare of the people.
Settlement Houses
Settlement houses were established to help factory workers, immigrants, and the poor, providing medical care, recreation, English classes, and hot meals. Notably, the Hull House was created to help assimilate immigrants.
Temperance Movement
The Temperance Movement, led by female reformers and Christian leaders, sought to stop the sale or drinking of alcohol, leading to the 18th Amendment and the period of prohibition.
Women's Suffrage
Women's suffrage was a crucial aspect of the Progressive Era, leading to the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. This reform enabled women to have the opportunity to influence the government.
Influential individuals and groups, such as the Muckrakers, played a significant role in raising awareness about societal issues. The Muckrakers were reporters who exposed problems through newspapers and writing. In addition, they were responsible for exposing various problems and influencing positive changes.
Political and Social Reforms
The political and social reforms of the Progressive Era resulted in a focus on consumer health and safety, trust-busting, conservation, and civil service reforms. These reforms were essential in creating a fairer and more just society.
Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal
Theodore Roosevelt's presidency was marked by the Square Deal, which aimed to protect the interests of the people through various legislation, including the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
In conclusion, the Progressive Era brought about a list of progressive reforms that addressed the challenges faced by workers and society as a whole. It was a time of significant change and progress, laying the foundation for many of the reforms and rights enjoyed today.
