Problems During The Progressive Movement

On a federal, state and local level, progressivism sparked attention in the areas of social welfare, moral improvement, economic reform and efficiencies in government. Progressives wanted to take control away from the rich, improve the lives of the poor and give the middle class a stronger voice. Ultimately, it evolved into a reform movement and those leading the cause believed that there were problems that could best be addressed by providing better education, a safer environment, a more efficient workplace and honest government. Muckrakers kept the movement alive by addressing issues through a books and articles written in magazines such as McClures and ?? …….. The progressive movement is responsible for many of the reforms that affect
Prohibition, which prohibited the sale of alcohol was an attempt to improve personal behavior. As a result of Upton Sinclair’s book, “The Jungle” there were inspections of the meatpacking plants of Chicago and ultimately brought on the implementation of several reform bills on how products are produced and packaged. In 1906, two bills were passed to protect consumers: The Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. The Pure Food and Drug Act required that companies to accurately label the ingredients contained in processed food items and on pharmaceuticals. The Meat Inspection Act provided coral to can regulations and inspections and had the added bonus of ensuring European markets that America’s meat was not tainted. The railroads needed regulation to control corruption and ??. The Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act brought the railroads into line by outlawing the use of rebates and free rail passes. The Federal Trade Act and Clayton Antitrust Act curtailed unfair business practices and curtailed monopolies and the Federal Trade Commission