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America History

Name

Course

Date
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The first few years after the twentieth century in the US were marred by significant social

change and economic growth. The years progressed roughly between the reconstruction period

and the dawning of a new century. The reconstruction period was from 1865 to 1877. It came

after the American civil war, following the attempts to redress the inequalities highlighted during

the civil war, including slavery and social, economic, and political inequalities. Additionally, this

period sought to address problems that arise from the 11 states' readmission that had seceded

before the outbreak of war. At the onset of the 20th century saw the advent of the progressive era,

which constituted progressivism. Such was a forward-thinking political movement that aimed at

redressing the inequalities experienced during the gilded age.1 The progressive era was marked

by intense social and political reforms that advanced the US towards a better society. This era

also focused on eliminating unfair and unethical business practices, reducing corruption, and

addressing industrialization's adverse effects. Some of the significant changes were witnessed

among the black communities and women. During the progressive period, the African Americans

tried to make their plight heard, as this was among the worst times in their history. The reforms

witnessed between the reconstruction and progressive era did not take into account the African

Americans' civil rights. For women, this era was significant for the acquisition and development

of their rights as women. The women were segregated in the reconstruction and gilded age

period. However, the progressive era witnessed their inclusion in the political front, improved

living standards, and enhanced health technologies.

Following the union's victory in the civil war, about 4 million enslaved people were given

their freedom, but the African American community witnessed various challenges during the

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Henretta, Edwards, and Self. America's History, Combined Volume. Macmillan, 2011, 15.
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reconstruction period. Slavery was outright abolished in 1865 following the adoption of the 13th

amendment. However, the status of freed black people remained after the abolishment of slavery.

In the south, the white community gradually re-established their authority in the confederate

states by enacting a series of laws known as the Black Codes. Such laws were purposed to

restrict the freed black community's activity and ensure the Blacks were available for labor.2 For

women, the reconstruction period involved more than just emancipation. The women sought to

have their roles defined in the community. Such led to the convergence of women through

abolitionist and women rights movements. For example, women right activist Elizabeth Cady

Stanton used this time to disenfranchised groups to seize political rights. She formed the

Women's Loyal National League in the year 1863 that petitioned Congress for a constitutional

amendment that abolished slavery. In 1866, the National Women's Rights Convention merged

with the American Antislavery Society leading to the formation of the American Equal Rights

Association (AERA).3 Such culminated in the partnership between women's right advocates and

the abolitionist.

The Gilded Age followed the reconstruction period. During this time, the 15th amendment

came into force that guaranteed suffrage rights regardless of color, race, or previous slavery

condition. The growing influence of the Blacks dismayed white southerners who felt the Blacks

were taking control of them. White protective societies such as the Ku Klux Klan emerged,

intending to disenfranchise the Black voters through suppression, intimidation, and violence.4

The outcome was that the Black communities witnessed disheartening improvement in their

social and economic status and the significant political mileage they had achieved. The southern

2
Ibid, 103
3
Ibid, 106
4
Ibid, 206
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state legislators also enacted the "Jim Crow" rule to suppress the Blacks further. By 1885, most

of the southern states had passed laws requiring whites' separation from Blacks in public.

Notably, on 18th May 1896, the US supreme court, in its verdict of Plessy v. Ferguson, upheld a

Louisiana court verdict that required passengers' segregation on railroad cars.5 The ruling led to

the separate but equal doctrine that furthered racial segregation. For the women, the gilded age

expected the women to act as per the Victorian ideals. Women were required not to laugh loudly,

disagree with men's opinions, drink alcohol, and expose much skin.6 The women were vulnerable

and were offered unskilled or semi-skilled in the advent of industrialization in America. They

were also subjected to long working hours and hazardous working conditions. Those women

seeking to reverse such atrocities were regarded as feminists. The women's role in the subsequent

progressive era was nothing compared to the controlled Victorian woman of the Gilded Age.

As the 19th century came to an end, a new era of progressivism emerged. During this era,

many African Americans witnessed self-improvement in education to escape the suffering they

had been subjected to. The Blacks looked up to Booker Washington, the author of Up from

Slavery (1900), as their inspiration.7 Washington urged Blacks to acquire vocational and

industrial training skills to allow them to progress their socio-economic status. In 1909, the

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed. The

organization's goal was the abolishment of forced segregation, enforcement of 14th and 15th

amendments, equality in education, and enfranchisement of Black people.8 The progressive era

also saw the acquisition of rights for women. More women were gaining employment in

industrial jobs and an increase in education. The women sought marriage equality. The women

5
Ibid, 210
6
Ibid, 212
7
Ibid. 219
8
Ibid, 234
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were also given equal rights to matters divorce. Women also acquired suffrage rights and became

leaders in a wide range of social and political movements. While the earlier generation had

discouraged women from participating in political and public activities, society began to

acknowledge women's activism in the late 19th century.9 The traditional roles of women were

turned to social, political, and public functions, with reformers gaining broader support from the

women.

There were significant changes witnessed in society from the reconstruction period all

through the progressive era. Of importance, the reconstruction era was the period following the

American civil war. During this period, slavery was abolished through the 13th constitutional

amendment. However, the white supremacist formed the Black code rules that still held the

African Americans in bondage. During this era, women were striving to get a voice in the

community. Activists such as Elizabeth Stanton used the opportunity to propel women's rights by

forming the Women's Loyal National League. The next stage was the Gilded Age, under which

the whites felt that the Blacks were gaining considerable authority. There was the establishment

of white protective societies such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Jim Crow rules that intimidated

the Blacks. During this period, women were also segregate in terms of employment. Their rights

were also curtailed, and they were expected to follow the Victorian ideals. The progressive era

witnessed significant changes to both the Black communities and Women. The formation of the

NAACP advocated for Black rights. Additionally, the African Americans looked up to Booker

Washington ideals of acquiring education and vocational skills to improve their conditions.

Women were also recognized, and they were offered suffrage rights. Women also participated in

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Ibid 302
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politics through membership in social and political movements. Besides, women were also

treated equally to men.

Bibliography

Henretta, James A., Rebecca Edwards, and Robert O. Self. America's History, Combined

Volume. Macmillan, 2011.

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