The Progressive movement that began in the late 1800s was an attempt to bring about governmental reforms and to correct injustices in American life. There were many problems facing Americans. It was time for the government to step in and correct these injustices. Living quarters for the majority of Americans were very horrible. Food products made by factories were in very bad condition. Conditions improved for children. The senate was under control of trusts and there needed to be a stop to it. Theodore Roosevelt helped the America by breaking those trusts.
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Many Americans lived in poverty. Apartments in the city were over-crowded. There was only enough space to sleep. But even then it was cramped. To add to the turmoil, the conditions were very unsanitary. It would be very unpleasant for the Americans of today. .
Some industries thought it was a good idea to mass-produce their products. This was a good idea, but it left little or no time to keep the factories clean. The food areas were infested with rodents of all sorts and germs spread like wild fire. There was no telling what you were eating. Sometimes people would even fall into the lard vats and get made into lard themselves. They would pass right by and get served to the public. This called for the government to make some changes. They began inspection the factories and regulating them more closely. The Pure Food and Drug Act was later created. .
Government did help decrease child labor. From 1890 to 1920, the number for 10 to 15 years working decreased 6.8%. It still wasn't much, but it was a decrease. This was only because the government started to get involved. .
While government was getting involved with the big business, the corporations needed to find a better way to stay on top. So they elected senators that would favor their trusts in the senate. This way they could control what they wanted to from the inside.
When Theodore Roosevelt was elected president, he helped reform the economic system.