progressive era essay topics

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Essays on Progressive Era

How to write a progressive era essay, choosing progressive era essay topics.

• What specific aspect of the Progressive Era am I interested in?
• How can I relate the topic to contemporary issues?
• How can I use primary sources to support my argument?
• How did Progressive Era reformers attempt to address the problems caused by industrialization and urbanization?
• What were the most significant achievements of the Progressive Era, and what were its most significant failures?
• How did Progressive Era reformers view the role of government in American society, and what kinds of reforms did they advocate for?
• How did Progressive Era reforms affect the lives of ordinary Americans, particularly those who were marginalized or oppressed?
• What was the relationship between the Progressive Era and other social and political movements of the time, such as suffrage and labor movements?

Writing a Thesis Statement

• Addresses the prompt or the question you are answering
• Provides a clear argument or perspective
• Highlights the significance of your essay.

Conducting Research

Organizing your essay.

• Introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing statement that contextualizes the Progressive Era and leads to your thesis statement.
• Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should address a specific aspect of your argument and provide evidence to support it. You can use primary and secondary sources to support your argument.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Offer some reflections on the significance of the Progressive Era and its relevance to contemporary issues.

Progressive Era Essay Examples

Prompt examples for progressive era essays, goals and reforms of the progressive era.

Discuss the goals and key reforms of the Progressive Era in the United States. What were the main issues and injustices that progressives sought to address, and how did they advocate for change?

Muckrakers and Investigative Journalism

Analyze the role of muckrakers and investigative journalism during the Progressive Era. How did journalists and writers like Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell expose social and political problems, and what impact did their work have?

Women's Suffrage Movement

Examine the women's suffrage movement as a significant part of the Progressive Era. How did women activists like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul contribute to the fight for women's right to vote, and what were the challenges they faced?

Labor and Workers' Rights

Discuss the labor movement and efforts to improve workers' rights during the Progressive Era. How did labor unions advocate for better working conditions and fair wages, and what were the outcomes of their actions?

Environmental Conservation

Explore the conservation movement and its impact on environmental policy during the Progressive Era. How did figures like Theodore Roosevelt contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the establishment of national parks?

Legacy of the Progressive Era

Analyze the lasting impact of the Progressive Era on American society and politics. How did the reforms and changes implemented during this period shape the nation's future, and what lessons can be learned from this era?

The Different Changes in Effect During The Progressive Era

The main improvements made during the progressive era in america, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Progressive Era: Woman Suffrage, African American and Immigration

The long term impact of the progressive era's changes in society today, major changes that impacted the united states in the progressive era, major achievements of the progressive era in america, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Overview of The Major Problems During The Progressive Era

Review of the issue of constraints against progress of a society, the birth of the progressive era from the flaws of the gilded era, the contribution of booker t. washington during the progressive era, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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American Privateers in The Revolutionary War

"biopower today": an outline, the machines have arrived: possible future of robots, analysis of all in the family television show, the first transcontinental railroad of 1869 in the progressive era.

United States

Trust-busting, Women's Suffrage, Initiative and Referendum, Spanish-American War

Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Evans Hughes, William Jennings Bryan, Woodrow Wilson

The Progressive Era with intense social and political reform aimed at making progress toward a better society across the United States of America that spanned the 1890s to the 1920s. During this period, reformers worked to improve American society and counteract the effect of industrialization. The main purpose of the movement was eliminating corruption in government. Many progressives were also concerned with the environment and conservation of resources.

Progressive Era movement targeted the regulations of huge monopolies and corporations, that was done through the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. The main purpose of the Progressive movement was the eliminating of corruption in government. The leaders of the era worked on the issues such as labor rights, women’s suffrage, economic reform, environmental protections, and the welfare of the poor, including poor immigrants.

Many Progressives supported prohibition in the United States in order to destroy the political power of local bosses based in saloons. In 1918, Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment established prohibition of alcohol in 1920.

Between 1900 and 1915, more than 15 million immigrants arrived in the United States. The U.S. population nearly doubled between 1870 and 1900. By 1900, 30 million people, lived in cities.

The cause of women’s suffrage became a priority for many during the Progressive Era. American women finally achieved the right to vote with Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, that granted women the right to vote and forbade any suffrage restrictions based on gender.

The Progressive movement fractured after America’s entry into World War I.

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The Progressive Era Key Facts

Progressive Era - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

The Progressive Era, spanning from the 1890s to the 1920s in the United States, was marked by social and political reforms aimed at addressing issues arising from industrialization, urbanization, and corruption. Essays on this era could explore the key reform movements, influential figures like Theodore Roosevelt, or the lasting impact of Progressive Era policies. Discussions might also delve into the success and failures of the reforms, the emergence of modern America, and the lessons that can be drawn from this historical period. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Progressive Era you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Progressive Era: a Catalyst for Social Reform and Change

The Progressive Era was known as a large reform movement. The progressive Era was a period widespread social activism and political reform across the United States from the 1890’s to the 1920’s. The main objectives of the Progressive Era movement were eliminating problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration and political corruption. Progressive reacted to problems caused by factories and cities. The progressive Era was effective because of child labor, working conditions and women's suffrage. The meat-packing industry capitalized when the […]

Progressive Era and Booker T. Washington

The period consisting of social, government, and industry evaluation, reform and awareness was labeled as the Progressive Era. The Progressive Era was the first great age of twentieth century social reform that took place in the time period between the 1880’s and 1910’s. There was a national sense that reform was necessary because of the new understanding for justice in the country and America wanted to create new guidelines to reflect that. The events and change that occurred during this […]

Booker T. Washington, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

Ragtime portrays a world that is chock full of injustices, whether its been racial or xenophobic. Racial tensions are at an all time high during the progressive era, between the years 1900-1917. These changes were needed to adapt a society full of white supremacy. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were all used to keep blacks out of politics. Booker T. Washington was not a fictional person like Coalhouse Walker and had a large political following during this era. […]

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Child Labor Progressive Era

Children were welcome to work as a factory workers during early 1900s , due to pay cuts, long hours and lack of attention to safety, and the fact that many of these children were employed in sectors were they would be conducting tasks that usually adults would not be able to do, these children were at great risks. During the progressive era, the unions formed which would go against the child labor. Child labor was at times be even more […]

The Progressive Era from 1890 to the 1920s

From 1890 to the 1920s the Progressive Era began to emerge as a result of the horrible working conditions in the factories during the early years of the Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age. It was a time period when laissez-faire or a hands-off government was apparent, making government more efficient, honest, and democratic. From long work days and hours, maltreatment, low pay, child labor, an unsanitary workspace, the hazardous and dangerous machines women and children had to work with, […]

Martin Luther – Real Lessons of the Catholic Church

Martin Luther, who was a man from Germany and a former element of a religious community in a church, established the Protestant Reformation, which was believed to be a powerful and disputable event in Christianity’s history back between 1501 and 1600 Common Era. Luther began to have skepticism about a portion of the fundamental precepts of the Roman Catholicism and his supporters before a long breakup from the Roman Catholic Church to start the Protestant Convention. As a result, Luther’s […]

Transformative Times: Evaluating the Reforms of the Progressive Era

In the United States, the 1890s through the 1920s included a historical period known as the Progressive Era, which was characterized by substantial social, political, and economic changes. During this time period, there was a widespread belief that action on the part of the government was required in order to address the challenges brought about by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration. Issues such as governmental corruption, worker's rights, public health, and social justice were among those that were targeted by the […]

The Gilded Age and Progressive Era

There were multiple problems that were caused by the gilded age, there was poverty, some people became wealthier , unhealthy food was produced and so many more. There were many problems emerging and the nation seemed to be getting destroyed. Workers were seeking a political war against the capitalist and the political conservatives for many years but because of that near the end of the 19th century a generation of middle class Americans got themselves in public and wanted to […]

The Niagara Movement Organization

The Niagara Movement is an organization that focuses on the civil rights of African American men and women in the United States. The Niagara Movement was a group of 29 people who came from different backgrounds: business owners, clergy, and teachers (Black Past 1). The first meeting of this movement took place in July 1905. The meeting took place on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. This movement attempted to address issues of crime, religion, economics, health, and education. […]

The 1890’s to the 1920’s – Progressive Era

"Dear Aunt Bessie, The 1890’s to the 1920’s is known as the Progressive Era. During this time many Americans were suffering but some were thriving. During this time the average poverty level for a family of six is $600, and the average earning of an American worker is less than $500. The Progressive Era presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, and Woodrow Wilson helped to change many issues within the American society. Even though they helped many of Americans society […]

Modern U.S. History & Progressive Era

This essay will be dived into two parts. In the first part I will be discussing five topics of my choosing. I will be talking about The Chinese Exclusion Act, Populist Party, Susan B. Anthony, Andrew Carnegie, and 14th Amendment. In the second part I will be describing the most significant development from this time. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first immigration law to ban people based on their race from entering the United States. This act […]

From a Bad to Better Country

The Progressive Era is a period of time where there were problems with politics, industrialization, urbanization, immigration, violence, etc. For there to be a Progressive Era, these problems had to get so vile to the point where change was needed. There should be a different name for this period of time. Across the United States, problems in the environment grew worst. People finally decided to acknowledge them. In the end, multiple changes were made. There should not have been so […]

The Immense Pain Caused by the Progressive Era

Slavery, racism, rape, and abuse are all sad, real things that have happened and still happen today. Many people have suffered while others have looked the other way. This was the case during the Progressive Era. The people of that time period turned a blind eye by disregarding inappropriate behavior. Ironically, it’s called the "Progressive Era." If it were truly progressive, there wouldn’t have been so much struggle and heartbreak. Children would not have been put in harm’s way, and […]

The Gilded Age: a Transformational Era in American History

Gilded Age in American history, hugging from late 19 - ?? of century on 20 - ? of beginning of century, stands how an epoch, what yields to transformation, deteriorates his absolute contrast between a wonderful bloom and lying in founding social problems. Minted close Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their short story the "Gilded Age: Story Today," term, what "becomes" golden inclined, superficial brilliance takes riches, that black-out deep social, economic, and political calls. Appearing to the […]

Muckrakers: the Crusaders for Truth and Reform in Journalism

The terminology "muckraker" had its genesis in the early 20th century, denoting journalists who delved into societal maladies and malfeasance through investigative journalism. Initially coined as a slight, President Theodore Roosevelt drew from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," likening such journalists to a character preoccupied with raking filth, oblivious to the celestial crown overhead. Nevertheless, these journalists embraced the label, acknowledging the indispensable role they played in illuminating the shadowy recesses of society. Muckrakers emerged during the Progressive Era, a period […]

Theodore Roosevelt’s Leadership and Reforms in the Progressive Era

Theodore Roosevelt's time as the 26th President of the United States stands as a pivotal chapter in American history, especially regarding leadership and progressive reforms. Ascending to the presidency in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley, Roosevelt's administration marked a notable shift from the laissez-faire attitudes of earlier administrations. His era signified the rise of proactive federal intervention and reforms aimed at addressing the nation's pressing social and economic challenges. Roosevelt's leadership style was marked by dynamism, charisma, and […]

The Role and Impact of Muckraking in Progressive Era Journalism

In the rich tapestry of American journalism, the Progressive Era stands out as a dynamic period marked by muckraking, a groundbreaking form of investigative reporting that used words as weapons against corruption and injustice. During this era of social and political upheaval, muckrakers became the champions of truth, bravely navigating the perilous waters of power to expose the dark side of American society. The early 20th century in the United States was a time of stark contrasts, where the bright […]

Muckrakers: the Journalists who Exposed America’s Problems

During the nascent years of the 20th century, a cadre of journalists and wordsmiths, dubbed muckrakers, embarked on a quest to unearth corruption, social inequities, and hegemonic dominions entrenched within the fabric of American society. Coined by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, the moniker "muckraker" initially bore a pejorative connotation, emblematic of their proclivity to dwell on the dystopian facets of societal existence. Nevertheless, these truth-seekers embraced the epithet, perceiving their endeavors as indispensable in unraveling veracity and catalyzing societal […]

From Shadows to Light: a Journey through Child Labor Reform in the Progressive Era

In the annals of American history, the Progressive Era stands as a beacon of societal transformation and reform. This pivotal period, spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, witnessed a groundswell of activism and advocacy aimed at addressing the myriad social injustices plaguing the nation. At the heart of this movement lay the issue of child labor, a pervasive and deeply entrenched practice that cast a shadow over the promise of progress and prosperity. However, through a convergence of […]

The Role and Impact of Muckrakers in Shaping Public Opinion and Policy

In the storied tapestry of American history, the muckrakers emerge as towering figures of integrity, their pens poised as weapons against the scourges of corruption and societal ills. Flourishing in the bustling era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these intrepid journalists embarked on a mission to expose the hidden realities of politics, business, and social concerns, casting the stark light of investigative reporting into the dark recesses of secrecy. Their efforts resonated through the halls of governance […]

The Aims of the Temperance Movement: Social Reform in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

The movement advocating temperance, which began to amass notable momentum in the United States during the waning years of the 19th century and persisted into the nascent stages of the 20th century, transcended a mere campaign against the imbibing of alcohol; it epitomized a lofty reform endeavor aimed at restructuring American society. The overarching objective was absolute prohibition—the utter annihilation of the manufacture and vending of alcohol. However, underlying this objective was an intricate network of social, ethical, and political […]

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The Progressive Era in the US Essay

The Progressive Era was marked by numerous advances in social, political and business spheres of the American life. The period between 1890s and 1920s was the time when Americans adopted progressive ideas and methods, which had a significant impact on development of the USA. It is possible to single out a number of persons who can be regarded as symbols of the Progressive Era, symbols that contributed into development of particular areas in the US society.

For instance, Susan B. Anthony can be seen as a symbol of the movement for women’s rights. She was one of women’s rights leaders and she believed that “the coalition of clergy persons, women, and politicians” could help females gain more rights (Graves 46). Andrew Carnegie was a successful businessman who is also seen as a founder of the steel industry in the USA. Carnegie opened up new horizons in the business world and became a philanthropist who contributed greatly to development of various social projects (Gould 26). Theodore Roosevelt was an inspiring leader and politician who managed to diminish corruption in the political arena and he also contributed greatly to development of the US society as he saw “the executive power as the steward of the public welfare” (Gould 57). John R. Mott was inspirational in another sphere of Americans’ life. He was a spiritual leader who “galvanized worldwide mission, ecumenism, and evangelism” (Pope-Levison 194). Mott was a devout evangelist who managed to unite people and promote Christian values.

On balance, it is possible to state that each of the individuals mentioned above had a great effect on development of different spheres of the American society. These people’s activities were aimed at improving welfare of Americans and they managed to reach their goals as they started a new era in the country’s development.

Works Cited

Gould, Lewis L. America in the Progressive Era, 1890-1914. New York, NY: Routledge, 2014. Print.

Graves, Karen. Girl’s Schooling during the Progressive Era: From Female Scholar to Domesticated Citizen. New York, NY: Routledge, 2014. Print.

Pope-Levison, Priscilla. Building the Old Time Religion: Women Evangelists in the Progressive Era. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2013. Print.

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