Progressive Reform Essay

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Giancarlo 3/25/14 Essay Two of the problems encountered by the Progressive reformers at the turn of the century were social welfare concerns regarding labor practices, and the politics of prohibition. Major problems associated with social welfare included factory wages, work hours, sanitation and child labor. Factory wages were at an all time low. A workday could be as long as 10-12 hours. A large majority of factories were unsafe and unclean. Also, many factories used child labor because it was cheaper and efficient “ why are seals bears reindeer and fish all found suitable for federal protection but not children?”(Florence Kelly). These problems needed to be addressed. Reformers began tackling these issues first by organizing strikes and demanding reforms. When this approach failed, many Reformers began to create organizations and go to the government to expose how the factories were really operating. As the government found out about the situation, factory owners increased workers’ pay, shortened the workday and provided a clean working environment. Furthermore, the owners stopped using child labor so they would not be shut down. At the turn of the century, many reformers and government officials believed that alcohol was the cause of many of the nation’s problems; specifically rape, murder and divorce. They thought that alcohol should be illegal. Many reformest even went around destroying saloons. “I felt invincible. My strength was that of a giant. God was certainly standing by me. I smashed five saloons with rocks before I ever took a hatchet.”(Carry Nation) As a result, the 18th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America was created. This amendment allowed the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. This amendment proved to be detrimental to the cause rather than helpful. Because alcohol became illegal, many became

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