19th Century

The dawning of the 20th century represented a dramatic new era in Humankind. The world as it was known in the year 1900 is dramatically different, if not unrecognizable, from the world as we know it today. The 1900’s saw global conflict and mass destruction become commonplace, while also marking genuine advances in equality, freedom, and justice. The developments in world politics and international relations in the 20th century are both plentiful and diverse. It is difficult, perhaps even discourteous, to attempt to encompass the glory and the failure of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. After the civil war, the US was facing many problems. These problems put the American public at risk and offended others. This period in US history was called the Progressive era. Labor laws, women’s suffrage, and the US government were all reformed during the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s. The Progressives, middle class reformers, believed in abolishing all the harsh treatment and abuses that came with the growth of businesses. Muckrakers were people who informed the public about monopolies, child labor, and corruption in industry that had a negative impact on workers and the general public. During the progressive era people took up goals that would end the abuse of power, reforming social institutions, and promoting bureaucratic and scientific efficiency. The middle class who consisted of business men, teachers, lawyers, social workers, and people of religion were major contributors to the progressive era and the accomplishments that were established during this period. Yet, there are points, occurrences, and occasions which can be called the ‘major’ developments in 20th century politics. It is my belief that this time period was the biggest expansion of the United States in history. With railroads stretching all over the country transporting people and goods rapidly from the east to the west. People from different ethnic and religious backgrounds came into the...