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 * Although the the purpose of the Progressive Era was to move the nation forward, how did the United States trample on the civil liberties of Americans from 1902 - 1920.**

At the start of the twentieth century children were exploited into labor, the government was becoming more and more corrupt by the minute, and businesses were treating their employees like cattle. The Progressive Era, which was a response to the industrial revolution, was initially supposed to improve these conditions in America (Sage). However, the Era didn't succeed with these goals. Instead they demolished American freedoms and sent Americans into countless wars (Sage).

The Progressivists during this time period were primarily concerned with expanding education, ridding the government (both local and federal) of corruption, establishing equal rights between genders, and protecting the American people (Mintz). All of these goals seem to be moving the nation forward, but the way the Progressivists went about it did in fact "trample on the civil liberties of America." At the start of this Era, we introduced a new president, his name was Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt was the first of three presidents to take office during the Era (Sage). William H. Taft immediately followed Roosevelt, then Woodrow Wilson followed behind him, all three of these presidents served during the Progressive Era, and all of them made their own contributions.

Teddy Roosevelt faced what is known as the "muckrakers" who believed their sole purpose was to inform American's about what really went on within the country (Sage). Through their efforts to expose child labor, profiteering, prostitution, political corruption and so much more, they were able to get Congress to add four new amendments. The first of these were the "direct election of Senators," followed by "women's suffrage," then the "prohibition of alcohol," and finally the addition of "income tax (Also known as the 16,17,18, and 19 amendments) (Sage)."Although these new amendments allowed America to advance forward, the actions of the muckrakers often led to severe problems that were not easy to solve (Sage). One way the problems were solved was by creating new reforms. Teddy Roosevelt attempted to rid America of corruption by forcing his "Attorney General to use the Sherman Act (1890) more vigorously in pursuit of monopolistic practices," as well he proposed laws that would strengthen the governments control over the regulation of businesses and their practices (Sage). Although this was an attempt to enhance American's opportunity and stop major corporations from becoming too "in control," it actually took away the civil liberty of such corporations.

William H. Taft dealt with countless outbreaks of violence as well as the passing of new acts. One of the first to be passed under his term was the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910 (Sage). This act banned the transport of females and addressed prostitution and human trafficking issues (Sage). Following this were many other acts passed during what is known as the moral crusades of progressives, one of the most well known is the Eighteenth Amendment (Sage). Although these acts paid off in the long run and did in fact advance America, they also took away some of their right. As a society we believe it to be wrong to exploit ones body for money, and abuse alcohol, however, this is a right American's had. In a sense there were never laws against such behavior and when Congress passed them they destroyed the liberties Americans had maintained for years.

Finally, Woodrow Wilson faced countless obstacles that forced him to make decisions that forever altered the liberties of Americans. One of the valuable decisions he made was to sign the Underwood Tariff, because it provided opportunity for rates on imported goods to be reduced (Sage). As well the Federal Trade Commission Act was passed under his term, this act was created to prevent unfair trade practices (Sage), and again although this act was vital in the growth of Americans it took away their rights in the work place and cost some Americans money. As Wilson's presidency continued, he led us into World War I, which forced men into the military and women into job that were once known as "man's work."

It is clear that all three Presidents during the Era had good intentions. However, the citizens of America were used to the liberties they had been granted since the American Revolution. With more and more acts being passed Americans felt those liberties slowly slipping away, and overtime what was best for one man was superseded by what was best for the entire country. Americans advanced and the liberties that once existed were replaced by new and better ones Even though we couldn't see it then, the Progressive Era helped us more than it hindered us, even if it did trample on a few of our liberties.


 * Work Cited**

Mintz, S. "Progressive Era." //Digital History//. 2007. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. .

Sage, Henry J. "The Progressive Era, 1896-1916." //Academic American History//. 2010. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. .

Steward, Rodney J. "Auburn University Digital Library." //Auburn University Digitial Library//. Dwayne Cox, 2006. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. .