US Political and Social Gains in Progressive Era - Essay Example

In the United States of America, the Progressive Era refers to a period that flourished between the 1890s and 1920s (Maureen, 8). The main purpose of this movement was to purify the government through the elimination of corruption via the exposure of bosses and political machines. During this era, several political gains and social gains were achieved as discussed in essence by this paper.

To begin with political gains, the power of local bosses who were in saloons was destroyed by many progressives through support of prohibition. Reformations of local government were other political gains during this period. Progressive reforms in states like Wisconsin, Washington and Idaho were becoming the order of the day from 1911 and some of these reforms are still used in nearly half of the states in the United States of America.

Democracy was realized during the era since the citizenry was given the mandate to circumvent political bosses and to rule directly. Ballot measures and referendums were also introduced to enable citizens to take part in amendments to the constitution as seen in 1902 by Oregon State and other states (Maureen, 13). In 1908, voters were enabled to recall elected officials through state-level establishment.

Corruption was fully exposed at both the state and local levels during the period through the journalists; and muckrakers. National medium magazines were handy in exposure of corruption through the media just as journalists today use newspapers, magazines and novels to expose corruption in the world (Alan, 25). Journalists could even be nicknamed for inadequate exposure of corruption thus giving them a challenge in exposing corruption. This shows the seriousness with which corruption was avoided.

The promotion of women’s suffrage was seen in the attempt to create pure female votes in the arena. During the period, the reformation of social institutions such as churches and schools was carried out. For instance, ‘scientific’ sciences such as political science, economics and history were transformed into social sciences.

Modernization was fully embraced during the period since education, technology, expertise and science were given an upper hand (Alan, 27). This led to great improvement in the society of the upper industrial. It was also believed that human beings were able to change life’s condition and improve the environment; human beings were able to intervene in social affairs. This led to roads and railways being reformed to aid efficiency in the movement of people, goods and services from one location to the other.

The family was regarded as the foundation of the society of America. Efforts were made by the municipal government to ensure that the families were intact. Families were accorded more leisure time in terms of working hours. Good citizenship and morals were considered through the construction of many parks for families’ leisure. Children were taken care of from watching movies with the content of sexual intercourse, violence and crime through censorship of motion pictures.

The safety of food was also taken care of; water and pure milk supplies were given emphasis. Drugs and foods that were not scientifically tested were put out of the market through the services of the Pure Food and Drug Act (Maureen, 18).

Having read this paper, it is seen that the Progressive Era is a period worth remembrance by all historians. This era led to social benefits and political benefits which are still adhered to up to now. Such political gains include exposure to corruption, democracy and political reformations among others. On the other hand, social gains include the promotion of women's suffrage and social institutions, taking care of families, modernization and the safety of food among others. Both the political and social gains which came as a result of the Progressive Era are still seen today in our societies.