U.S. History Since 1865

HIST 1302- U.S. History Since 1865 At the close of the 19th century and early years of the 20th century, populists and reformers played a vital role in widespread changes in the U.S. to better the lives of locals. The reforms included areas of politics, economics, culture, and social life. The reform movement stood for civic duty, and ethical values that Americans ought to uphold1. Ethics and civics influenced how the reformers pushed for change in the U.S. Three reform movements contributed immensely to change during the progressive era in the U.S. They included women, environmentalism.

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The Progressive Era: The American YAWP.

Environmentalism The Progressive Era environmentalism focused on the protection of the natural environment from destruction. John Muir and Gifford Pinchot were notable figures in the environmentalist movement during the progressive era2. Muir, a naturalist, defended the preservation of valleys from grabbing and destruction. On his part, Pinchot pushed for the preservation of forests as a way of protecting the environment. His efforts, together with others, resultant in reforms that saw the establishment of protected forest lands.

Women Movement The women's movement was a major player in reforms targeting women's life because it pushed for changes in laws and society to give women equal opportunities as men. At the close of the 19th century, women formed clubs to agitate for their rights and emancipation. The clubs served as vehicles to unite them and incubate their progressive ideas. In 1915, about 20,000 women revolted against norms and rules that confined them to domestic chores and denied them the right to vote. Jane Addams is one of the notable figures in the women movement who fought for reforms to improve women's working conditions3. With the help of Kelley, she petitioned lawmakers to pass antisweatshop, which restricted the hours women and children can work to 8.

Niagara Movement In the late 19th century, the blacks formed a movement to agitate for their freedoms and empowerment in the U.S. The Niagara Movement was founded in 1905 by Du Bois to protest the oppression of African Americans in the U.S.4. The movement pressed for the end of segregation and universal suffrage for all African Americans. The activities of the movement inspired more black people to rise and defend their rights and freedoms. The Niagara Movement inspired the 2 3 4

ibid Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.

"NAACP | NAACP History: W.E.B. Dubois", NAACP, Last modified 2021, https://www.naacp.org/naacp-history-w-e-b-dubois/.

founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909, strengthening African Americans push for reforms to end racism in the country5.

Methods The reform movements applied different methods to further their objectives, which included forming advocacy groups and publishing. The women's movement formed clubs and organizations to rally together and organize how to agitate for their interests. The General Federation of Women's Clubs was established in 1890 and Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in 1896 to fight for reforms that would promote women welfare6. At the same time, women's movements petitioned legislators to pass laws that improve women's welfare.

Moreover, reform movements used publications to air their grievances and mount more pressure on relevant authorities to enact changes. The black movement leaders such as Dubois wrote articles about African Americans' plight, pressing for reforms that will give black people an opportunity to enjoy civil and political rights like the rest of Americans. In conclusion, the reformers applied a wide range of methods to maximize their civic and ethical engagements.

The reformers considered ethical issues such as poor work conditions that endangered human life, discrimination, and destruction of the environment to push for reforms. The women movement considered it unethical to discriminate against women on the basis of their sex7. On the other hand, the environmentalist saw continued destruction of the environment through pollution and depletion of forest cover as endangerment of human life and sustainability8. Ethical considerations gave the reformers a moral authority to pursue their goals because they were considered to work for the common interest of the community.

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The Progressive Era: The American YAWP. The Progressive Era: The American YAWP. Zitkala-S̈a, American Indian Stories Washington: Hayworth Publishing House, 1921.

The reformers were successful in advancing their goals in various ways that range from creating awareness to causing legal and social reforms. Reformers managed to instigate positive changes in employment. Workers were offered better working conditions than before. For instance, working hours were limited to 8 per day, curbing exploitation and oppression of many who worked in industries. The women's movement managed to push for the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which gave all women a right to vote. The passing of the anti-sweatshop legislation in the early 1900s occurred as a result of strong pressure from the women movement9.

Reformers were also successful in ending racial segregation, passing laws to preserve forest land, game reserves, and other natural resources that faced the danger of obliteration10.

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The Progressive Era: The American YAWP.

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Towards institutionalized racism.

Bibliography Zitkala-S̈a. American Indian Stories. Washington: Hayworth Publishing House, 1921.

"NAACP | NAACP History: W.E.B. Dubois." NAACP, Last modified 2021. https://www.naacp.org/naacp-history-w-e-b-dubois/.

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.

The Progressive Era: The American YAWP. Towards institutionalized racism.