History of Social Movements in America

History of Social Movements in America

Introduction

This paper intends to explore the history of social movements in Unites States of America. The major focus is on the social movements that arose in the 19th century. Further, this study discusses the progressive era and all the events that occurred in this period. In addition to this, other events that are examined in depth are Muckrakers, labor movements, National Tuberculosis Association, Abolitionism, and Temperance Movement. However, In general social movements are forms of aggregation of individuals expressing to change something, defense or promotion of an event that has a social connotation, or more generally, expressing a protest.

Discussion

Progressive Era

The progressive era prevailed in US from the period of 1890 to 1920. This period is well known for the political reform and social activism. Main purpose of the progressive movement was to purify the government, as progressives attempted to eradicate the corruption by cutting down the political machines and exposing them in front of the whole world. Majority of the people involved in progressive movement supported the fact of prohibiting for the purpose of destroying the political supremacy. Simultaneously, the sufferings of women prompted the idea to protect them and bringing a pure women vote in the region. Secondly, efforts need to be made to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in each industry and department by identification of obsolete methods and updating them to modern ways. Further, implementing scientific ways to improve and bring engineering and medical solutions.

The social and cultural repression intrigues me the most because it showed many different cultures that were discriminated. The American Federation of Labor was limited primarily to skilled workers. The AFL barred blacks from the union and did not recruit women and recent immigrants. AFL behaviors against women and immigrants were racist as well. They were anti asian, as well as Chinese, Japanese and Indians. Protecting Social Welfare is another progressive movement to help the less fortunate. Fostering efficiency and moral improvement are other areas society sought to change. In addition to this, According to Tyranny (pp. 152) during the Progressive Era there were more organized and reformed movements. In 19th century there seem to be no organization amongst most social movements.

Muckrakers in Progressive Era

A muckraker seeks to expose corruption of businesses or government to the public. The term has been originated with writers of the Progressive movement within the United States who wanted to expose corruption and scandals in government and business. At the beginning of the 20th Century American journalist and writers were known as the fathers of investigative journalist. Their work is closely linked to the era of American progressivism seen.

The Muckrakers unveiled social ills, dirty business, nepotism and corruption in business and politics. The U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was the one who termed them as a muckraker journalists, after witnessing the quality of work in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress work.

Roosevelt described the work of the muckraker as highly necessary, but cautioned them to always stick to ...