The Progressive Movement was a time period that increased social activism and political reform, in the United States, during the 1890's to 1920. This time increased women and African Americans fighting for their voting rights and more job opportunities. The government became more aware, and powerful due to the Progressive Era. There were social, moral, and ethical changes due to negative effects of industrialization and urbanization. The Progressive Movement was for causes of business practices, working conditions, and the gap between rich and poor. The monopolies restricted competition, and the work fields became more industrialized using more technology. The philosophy of Social Darwinism claim to have biological ethical reasoning with natural selection, and that was an issue. The working conditions were harsh, unhealthy, and unsafe; the workers were fired with no explanation. Also there was a major gap between the rich and the poor; the rich increased in wealth when the poor grew poorer. The government was unresponsive to the impact of industrialization and urbanization, and was involved in a few court cases. .
Women and African Americans had a lack of rights before the Progressive Era, and they fought for their rights. Women were fighting for voting rights, economic and political equality, and social reforms. An advocate for women rights was Susan B. Anthony, she started the American Women Suffrage Association. This movement increased awareness about the issue of women suffrage of low income and voting rights. After the fight of trying to get voting rights, in 1919 the nineteenth amendment passed, which allowed women to vote. In 1880 when 2.6 million women were employed, and 1910 when 7.8 million women were employed, 60% of the women were servants. .
African American reformers consisted of people like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B Du Bois, and Ida B. Wells, they advocated for African American rights.