The early 1900s in America was a time of great reform and progressivism. This was also an era of great corruption and poverty as well. New York City was booming in the early 1900s due to its flourishing industrial economy which attracted many immigrants from all over Europe. These immigrants came to America in search of a better life and future for their families, one of these families was the Lemlichs’; a Jewish Eastern European family from Ukraine. Many Jewish families, including Clara Lemlich’s all lived in tenements on the Lower East, which became a neighborhood notorious for poverty ridden conditions. As the industrial economy in New York City was the most prominent workplace for common folk, a copious amount of immigrants took employment…show more content… In “Triangle” The Fire That Changed America, Von Drehle characterizes progressivism by commending those who challenged the system, despite what fears the consequences may hold. The factory workers who unionized and stood against their oppressive employers are now considered the forefathers that lay the foundations for the labor laws we have in place today. Clara Lemlich took risks that jeopardized her safety and even her life when she was beat by Tammany Hall officials for leading a strike outside a…show more content… Ultimately, the efforts of these labor union strikers did not go unnoticed by employers. A large number of factories, including the Triangle Waist Company eventually accepted demands for higher wages and shorter hours after much unrest. Progressivism, in a sense also meant asserting the traditional standards enacted, in order for change to occur. Being a woman with strong political perspectives, as Clara Lemlich attained was shunned upon. Women during this era were not generally allowed to have any political input, and were quickly shut down if contentions occurred. When it came to politics or any other remotely influential matter, a woman’s opinion wasn’t seen as valuable or even worth the time. Women were expected to only consort to a limited range of activities and interests which were acceptable at the time, preserving the image of the Victorian age woman. Anyone who dared challenge those Victorian principles which shaped the distinctly capitalistic and patriarchal society of the industrial north was seen as
