Introduction
During the progressive era, many significant reforms were achieved, contributing to successful social growth. Legislation that regulates working hours conditions was pushed forward for the benefit of employees. Additionally, living conditions in urban areas were improved through environmental reforms. Furthermore, the consumers had their rights protected against exploitative corporations. Although the progressive activists addressed pressing social issues, they failed to positively advocate for some issues and neglected them altogether.
Discussion
Conservationists are crucial for environmental conservation, but their efforts were misguided in some ways. The conservationists failed to understand the crucial role of local communities in biodiversity. Instead, they assumed that local people were destructive to biodiversity conservation. Consequently, they pushed for communities’ relocation and a ban on activities such as hunting and gathering. Historically, the local communities hunted animals and gathered wild plants and fruits, while conserving the environment. Therefore, environmental and biodiversity conservation should be advocated for while addressing the local communities’ activities.
Dignity is a natural human right that every person should enjoy regardless of their ethnic background. The progressive agenda included legislative reforms that augmented racial equality and respect for human dignity. Although the agenda led to positive social changes, racial preferences and privileges for selected ethnic groups were apparent. For instance, in the Southern U.S., the Jim Crow laws enhanced racial segregation. Meanwhile, the court systems made racially biased rulings. It was more likely for an African American to be imprisoned than a White. While the reformists described the laws as progressive, racial justice was altogether ignored.
Conclusion
The movements during the Progressive Era had positive and negative impacts on society. Acknowledging the positive and negative influences of the Progressive Era is important in several ways. The positive impacts allow society to reflect upon progressive social issues and make further improvements. Understanding the negative impacts helps society in avoiding issues that may lead to social conflict. Instead, society is encouraged to avoid issues that may negatively influence social harmony. Therefore, society should learn from the positive and negative movements during the Progressive Era for effective social growth.