Social Changes and Development

The Progressive Era in America was a time of great social change.

• Progressives considered themselves to be champions of social justice with a deep sense of morality, focused on promoting the rights of immigrant communities in big cities.

The Progressive movement also promoted Female Suffrage Amendment, which led to the 19th Amendment being added to the Constitution.

Another major cause for Progressives was Prohibition, for many involved in the movement to ban alcohol in the USA (temperance movement).

• Alcohol consumption was considered the root of society’s problems.

• The Prohibition movement ultimately successful, leading to the passage of the 18th Amendment.

  • This Amendment involved a ban on producing, importing, transporting and selling alcohol.

  • The era of Prohibition lasted until 1933 when the 18th Amendment was repealed.

One of the big social issues at the time was the impact of large-scale-immigration and urbanisation.

• These things led to the transformation of cities as well as the increase of social and ethnic tensions.

• Interestingly, while Progressives championed the rights of immigrants, they often held racist or xenophobic views of groups of immigrants, especially Catholic immigrants and their so-called vices.

Another major issue was the experience of African Americans which often included discrimination.

• In the Southern States, segregation and violence were becoming more pronounced which led to inequality.

  • This led to the rise of black activism.

    • In addition, African Americans started migrating North.