The Progressive Era Changed America

From 1870 to 1915 the United States changed drastically.  Huge technological advances and the modern industrial economy changed how everyone lived. Big industry and big cities began to pull people from rural areas. Massive amounts of immigration changed who we were as a society. Powerful industrialists changed how we worked. 

These rapid changes advanced technology and the economy, but also created problems for many people. The Progressive Era and the struggle to reform our society was a reaction to the rapid change and to the negative impacts of "Big Business". 

Reformers wanted the Federal Government to regulate businesses, eliminate corruption and force social change. The fight for the rights of working people, immigrants, and women shaped the Progressive Era. 

These reformers did force change, and the changes developed in these years laid the foundation for the 20th Century, in which America became the most powerful nation on earth. 

So... How did that change happen? 

Task

DIRECTIONS: Please carefully follow the steps below and update your check-list as you go through the research process. 

1. 1. Read and review the directions on the Home page. 

   2. To prepare for our work, read and review the background materials on the Overview webpage. 

   3. Select ONE challenge/topic from the Progressive Era from the Challenges(Topics) webpage. 

   4. Create a NoodleTools folder for your new research topic. 

   5. Begin your research and be sure to use the helpful tools found on the Research page. 

   6. Write an essay using the evidence you find to support your answer to the Research Question.