American Legal Regimes and Wealth Creation - Term Paper Example

American Legal Regimes and Wealth Creation The progressive era compared to the nineteenth century legal reforms can be said to have been the best system. The system supported a free society and encouraged wealth production throughout the state. During this period, this being from 1890s to 1916 a free society and wealth production were encouraged and supported by the then government. The progressive era was mostly fueled by the tensions and problems that need to be resolved within the legal framework of the country. Many respectable historians viewed that if, during this period, the problems concerning the injustice in the American society were not resolved, the country as a whole would have faced a lot of rebellion. Most historians described this as the conflict between labor and capital. The conflict that was filled with a lot of damage of properties escalated well into the 20th century and ended when the war started. By early 1900, the country was already filled up (Cohen 234). Major cities all over the state were packed with hundreds of thousands of poor American laborers who worked in deplorable conditions. Corruption during this period is considered the most escalating issues that brought all the problems that the country was facing. The progressive movement is considered to have been the solution to the problem that seemed to be driving the country way ward. It is hard to say that the movement fixed everything, however, remarkably little passed unchecked. The movement grew outside the government since none of the politicians was willing to support the economic and social change that the progressive movement brought. However, after pressure was applied b\y the movement the government finally decided to stand alongside the movement as it fought corruption out of the system. Most historians accredit the year 1896 as the period during which the progressive era began (Hayek 12). It is also viewed that most reforms that the movement had advocated for begun just before the country join t the war in 1917. However, even with is mind it is considered that most of the reforms begun way back during the colonial period although none of them had picked up until the modern era this being the 1900s. One cannot claim that all citizens and domestic workers have a fair playing field even now. It is also had to claim that the countries politics are free from corruption. Thus, it is considered that the movement that begun back in the late eighties lives on pushing for reforms and a corruption free political system (Cohen 234. During this era, which is most commonly referred to as the reckless decade; most of the reforms were driven by the Populist Party who had started the progressive era. The party was a combined force of farmers, small businessperson and leaders in the government who advocated for change within the country. During the during the party’s convectional meeting in 1892 the situation that seemed to affect the country was summarized. It was summarized as a problem and a situation that needed much focused on before it escalated further. Like any other party, in the state during that time the Populist Party seemed to be divided from within by issues regarding race political loyalty, general political orientation and geography. Political reforms that the party advocated for were restricted by the limitation of the third parties. During the convection in 1892, the party laid out well-planned maneuvers that would see the small farmers and businesspersons including the people who saw themselves as victims of the corrupt, political system gain more from the reforms it advocated. However, the party soon went under in 1896 when William Bryan was elected. Bryan addressed the problems that were being advocated for by the party in one of his famous speeches “cross of gold” because of merging up with a major party the Populist Party was consumed thus ending its run (Hayek 16). However, even with an end to the party’s existence most of the issues that it had raised back in 1882 were addressed by 1917 (Celeste 341). The progress era is considered to have gone on and brought considerable settlement of issues that the Populist Party had been founded. A common view as observed by many historians claims that although Roosevelt was not part of the movement (including the party); he was well learned and he understood the issues that need to be reformed. It is also considered that the progressive era played a crucial part in the long time career of Roosevelt. Who was influenced by ha parties need for reforms. The ideas that were passed by the Populist Party formed the basis of the new deal program. America is by far considered the only place where a leader with qualities such as those shown by the Roosevelt could be produced. Theodore Roosevelt was considered a man of enormous talent who lived a life fully dedicated to the political system of the country. During his time in power, Theodore Roosevelt involved himself with the daily activities as any other man would. He is considered to have been an extremely intellectual leader who capability to see into the future knew no bounds. It is claimed that he read a book every day, which added to his intellectual capacity. As a politician, Theodore Roosevelt involved himself with many political factions locally worldly and even attended most of the social events (Cohen 234. The man was loved, hated and even in some point tolerated by the people who had chosen him. It is considered that he became president by mistake. Most people referred to him as a mad man who dreamt for more than he could handle (Hayek 34) Theodore Roosevelt is considered to have been the most controversial president during the progressive era. The progress age is considered to have been an answer to the industrial reforms that were taking place all over America. Although it only lasted for a few years, its presence was felt during those few years. It is argued that the movement or era of progress touched virtually all Americans and changed ways in which the government related to the citizens and the American society in general. Although it is considered that some issues concerning individual rights such as racism women rights and others were dealt with during the movement era, it is considered that the period set the groundwork for the reforms. Most of the progress achieved during the progress movement is attributed to the fact the democrat leaders and the republican leaders supported the movement (Celeste 345). The American labor larders and the middle class Americans also played an enormous part win the movement’s success to reform the country. The motives for the behind the support of the movement was to achieve a country where even the minority had a right to talk and to be heard. The progress era saw the rise of workers from all sectors. Workers from farming, construction, and mining industries formed a movement that would later change the government and the country as a whole. Roosevelt played an immense role in this movement even although he was not directly involved. The movement opened the eyes of people who were not able to see a bigger picture of what was happening to the country (Kyvig 121). Those who supported the movement understood the threat that came with involving themselves with the unions’ activities. Leaders such as Henry George Eugene Debs and Gompers understood how critical it was that the country underwent sweeping reforms. The movement was supported by all workers to the extent where both the workers and the leaders joined forces. Their aim was to understand clearly, what was going on in the government and offices that they worked in order to advocate for change. The movement was focused on eliminating corrupting from the major offices in the political world by exposing the most hidden ways in which corruption dwelt. He movement was even more focused on free the community in order to encourage what was then known as wealth production. The movement pushed for an open government that encouraged trade and that supported a free society. The progressive era is thought to be the epitome where most reformers were made or where the groundwork of reforms both individual and community reforms were set. The movement was able to achieve women right in the country in 1919 a year before it went under (Hayek 39). The ninth amendment, as is it was known, was passed and it declared that the women or in this case any woman had the same right as any other human being. However, it would be irresponsible to think that the movement achieved everything it wanted. However, the progressive era saw social justice aimed at helping people who were then considered being socially poor. Most reforms that were passed aimed at aiding the poor to provide them with better pay better living conditions and safer working environments (Kyvig 121). Although it was not considered a popular move, the reformers advocated for strikes in working environments until the issues were addressed. The progressive era saw advancement in the political and social fronts. In general, the American community was reformed in that considerable progress was achieved with dealing with racial discrimination. The progressive era saw communities learn to live together through providing a safe environment for relationships between deferent races (Thomas 120). During this era, it is said that people together with the leader from both sides of the political movement, this being, the democrats and the republicans achieved more than they had since industrialization reforms were passed. Most scholars of American history consider the era of progress as the main fuel that ignited social retribution among the American society as a whole. The progress era achieved what was known as a protective era it sort to protect the exploitation of the American worker. Most reforms of the progress era are said to have been felt until date (Thomas 120). Work cited Celeste Michelle Condit. The Meanings of the Gene: Public Debates about Human Heredity. The New York Press, 1999. Print Cohen, Nancy. The Reconstruction of American Liberalism, 1865-1914. Historical Press, 2002. Print   Hayek, Friedrich August. The constitution of liberty. University of Chicago Press, 1960. Print Leonard, Thomas C. Retrospectives: Eugenics and Economics in the Progressive Era" Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2005. Print Kyvig, David E. Repealing National Prohibition. Kent State University Press. 2000. Print Read More