20th century reform
As the 20th century dawned, the United States was in the midst of a massive reform movement. From the Civil War to the turn of the century, America had been accentuated by a remarkable burst of energy and development. This rapid development, though, came at tremendous cost. Many groups of laborers began to challenge and criticize the system, but not many listened to them. As farmers began to protest, more people began to listen. As people listened, reform began at a national level and the group known as progressives evolved from the original rebels, populists. The progressives were a mainstream group that were willing to make a compromise to get closer to the goals they were aiming for and the changes they were trying to make. The progressives, who attempted to correct the abuses of the Gilded Age, aimed at making the existing system work better from within rather than trying to change everything completely and suddenly as their predecessors had. The progressives sought consensus and broad agreement on how to improve society, which made their reforms more effective than those who had attempted to change things before them. The national government was also beginning to take part in the changes that were occurring and almos
He obviously felt strongly about what he felt was the meaning of true democracy and wished for the United States to follow the guidelines of it by enabling the citizens to elect the United States Senators through a popular vote. The Keating-Owens Act, which outlawed child labor in businesses engaged in interstate commerce, was also supported by Wilson. The muckrakers had a great effect on America's conscience for reform in the political, social, and business areas. After many Progressive Era programs were initiated, the American people had tired of the reforming movement. By 1920, though, only 49% of eligible voters actually voted. The Court felt that this was clearly a question for the state government, not the federal government. Reformers like Theodore Roosevelt made the breakup of the trusts and conservation top priorities. Morgan in the Northern Security Company case. During Woodrow Wilson's presidency, monopolies were taken on by Congress by the passing of the Clayton Antitrust Act. Bad trusts used their enormous power to exploit consumers and raise their prices. Another muckraker of the time, Upton Sinclair, wrote a powerful and graphic novel entitled The Jungle, which related to the meat-packing industries of Chicago. He signed the Adamson Railway Labor Act, which was in favor of railway workers. Also in Wilson's presidency, many progressive type programs were initiated. Much of the workforce was comprised of women and children.
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