The Progressive Era

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, America was changing fast. Factories were growing, cities were crowded, and many workers were treated unfairly. People called Progressives worked to fix these problems. They pushed for new laws to protect workers, children, and the environment.

Problems to Fix

Big companies had too much power and paid workers very low wages. Children as young as five worked in dangerous factories and mines. Food and medicine were sometimes unsafe. Journalists called muckrakers wrote stories exposing these problems to the public.

Reforms and Changes

New laws were passed to make workplaces safer. Child labor laws kept young children out of factories. The Food and Drug Administration was created to make sure food was safe to eat. Women won the right to vote during this era. National parks were created to protect America's wild places.

Fun Facts

• President Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most famous Progressive leaders.
• Upton Sinclair's book "The Jungle" led to new laws about food safety.
• The first child labor laws were passed during the Progressive Era.

Did You Know?

President Theodore Roosevelt set aside 230 million acres of public land for national parks and forests during the Progressive Era.