War of Promises and Problems

The Spanish-American war illustrated this period as one of promise and problems because American had decided to get involved with other countries and claimed to bring protection, civilization and freedom to others (such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba) but resulted in more conflict and against the receiving country's interest. Some people believed that the United Stated was having a positive effect on these countries by creating structure and democracy. The inhabitants should have been pleased with America because they freed them from the Spanish control. This was very important to the progress of America. If America wanted to increase power and economic growth, they needed to acquire possessions overseas.

            Although America was doing this “for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty,” there were many motives that should have positively affected the other countries, but the consequences were the most memorable part. Many problems occurred during the Spanish-American War. The fight between the United States and the Philippines was one of the most damaging wars in the history of both countries. The United States was creating hypocrisy because they were fighting against the cause of independence. The Philippines lost over 270,000 men people due to disease, famine or fighting. The battle had killed about 4,3000 Americans before the war ended in 1902. 

Progressive Era

There were many ways where the Progressive movement affected the workers’ rights and conditions, food companies, and women's suffrage. In 1906, Roosevelt passed the Meat Inspection act that dictated strict cleanliness requirements for meat packers and created the program of federal meat inspection. Upton Sinclair described the meat packing companies in the book, “the Jungle”. The conditions were discussing and unsanitary. This had to be changed; the Meat Inspection act was passed. In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug act halted the sale of contaminated food and medicine and called for truth in labeling. This made sure that the labels were proven to be true and that the drugs accomplish what there were accused of doing. This was how the Progressive movement affected the food companies. Women’s lives were changed during this era. In the 19^th century, marriage was not as before. In 1890, the national American Women Suffrage Association was created. Women fought for the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony was an unmarried woman that led many different women’s rights movements. Her main goal was for all women to get the right to vote and have equality with men. The workers’ rights were greatly effect during the Progressive movement because of the labor unions. Workers came together to protest the unfair working conditions. They wanted safer conditions and a shorter workday.  Many were successful and the ones that were not one hundred percent successful, still made an impact. But what development most influenced the Progressive movement? The development of large companies and factories (large industry) were very important to the progress of the Progressive movement. It influenced it the most because of its connections with economics and working conditions, which was at the heart of the movement. Factory workers were underpaid and at risk of injury. This was the cause of the development of the labor unions, which were a large part of the Progressive era. Also, factories were becoming very efficient and developing way to get mot technology to the average American. This was a great improvement for America during the progressive movement. The Populist movements were in some ways continued and in other ways different than Progressive moments. In both movements, the average, hard working American was fighting for more power and fair conditions. The lower class had got together and created groups to protest against the upper class in both movements. They were both in favor of an eight-hour workday and restrictions on immigration. Theses two are different because the Populism movement was more political and more directed for the lower class to gain power in the government to improve their own lives, where as the Progressive movement was a time were the people did not need to gain power as much as they wanted improve their average day lives. The factory workers fought for more pay and safer working conditions. Women were also greatly involved in Progressive era. They developed new social standards and petitioned for the right to vote.  

             

Populism response

This past week, I have learned about the history of populism. It is a very important part of America's history, and the ideas have continued till this day. Populism stated in the 1890s by a group of  farmers that want freedom and power to the people and not be controlled by big buisnesses and be restricted by the government. Today, there are many examples of groups of people that still agree with these views. The occupy wall street movement is a group of people that want to give power to the "99%" rather than the "1%". the 99 percent is the average, hard-working Americans while the 1% is the few people that have a lot of power and money.