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Primary Source: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694368 During this timeframe, immigration from Southeastern Europe and Asian countries to the United States rapidly grew due to the promise of economic prosperity. This and urbanization cause many to move into the cities for factory work. Quickly large cities became overcrowded and riddled with problems that became addressed in the Progressive Era.
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More Information: https://www.hullhousemuseum.org/about-jane-addams
Primary Source: https://www.loc.gov/resource/wpalh0.08010509/?sp=1&st=image In 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr opened the Hull House in Chicago to provide various social services to poor immigrants that would aid immigrants in putting down roots in America. In the building there was a library, a nursery school, a cultural center, a public kitchen, public bath, a playground, and more to assist the poor. -
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jacob-riis/riis-and-reform.html This photojournalism work by Jacob Riis showed the horrible living conditions in the slums of New York City to the middle and upper classes of society. President Roosevelt responded to Riis's work by wanting to help. This led to legislation to help improve the quality of life for the poor. -
Primary Source: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/sherman-anti-trust-act#:~:text=The%20Sherman%20Anti%2DTrust%20Act%20authorized%20the%20federal%20government%20to,foreign%20nations%22%20was%20declared%20illegal. This act was the first to be passed by Congress to prohibit trusts. Trusts created a monopoly to interfere with trade and reduce economic competition. -
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/theodore-roosevelt/ After President McKinley was assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt came to power, led Congress and the nation with progressive reforms, and carried the United States into a more active role in world politics. Under his presidency, many aspects of American society would see reform. -
For extra infromation:https://www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-24-1-b-upton-sinclairs-the-jungle-muckraking-the-meat-packing-industry.html Primary Source that Sinclair was correct: https://undercover.hosting.nyu.edu/s/undercover-reporting/item/12152 Upton Sinclair wrote "The Jungle" to show the public the poor conditions of the Chicago meat packing industry. The people were appalled and angry with the conditions, so the government implemented laws to enact change. -
https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/Pure-Food-and-Drug-Act/ Due to the discoveries of the muckraker Upton Sinclair, Congress passed this act. It was created to ban "the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs or medicines, and liquors." (from the source above) President Theodore Roosevelt signed the act into law on June 30th, 1906 after going through Congress and the House. -
For more information: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/uprising-of-20000-1909 Led by Jewish women working in the New York shirtwaist industry, women upset by the long hours and minimal pay at work organized and led the largest women's strike in American history. This two-month strike successfully earned more fair wages and shorter hours but was overshadowed by the Triangle Waistshirt Factory Fire a few years later. -
Primary Source from the New York Times: https://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/newspapersMagazines/nyt_032611.html
The deadly fire in Greenwich Village in New York killed 146 workers and highlighted sweatshop workers' unsafe working environments. This event led to legislation being passed for improved safety standards. -
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment
Opposition: https://www.loc.gov/item/rbcmiller002586/ (1911)
Support: https://www.loc.gov/item/rbcmiller002586/ (1910) After decades of suffragists campaigning for women's right to vote, the amendments were passed. This did not mean all women could vote yet due to the exclusion of African Americans and other minority women from this act. It was not until 1965 that voting became a reality for African American Women.