Compare And Contrast The Gilded Era And The Progressive Era

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Imagine a world where the American economy is not dominated by factories and other mass-producing industries. America was like this for a long time until it reached a period in history known as the Gilded Age/Progressive Era. The Gilded Age was a time of rapid economic growth and industrialization in America. A period of great political corruption and income inequality where the industrialists obtained the most political power rather than the politicians. More importantly, this was an era that launched the idea of social reform, which later led to the Progressive Era. This was a period of social, economic, and political change, in hopes to make America safer and more worthy of living in. Within this era of American History, there were many important individuals doing their part to better America as a …show more content…
During this time, there were women who felt they did not need suffrage, claiming all women would become too politically involved and abandon at home responsibilities. These women even formed a group known as the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage, arguing they don’t need the vote at all. Addams argued these views through speeches/articles claiming women need to be active in the municipal, state, and federal system to offer the most to their family. She even began visiting women's colleges and organizations around the country to give speeches explaining why suffrage is so important. Anna Howard Shaw, the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and Jane Addams testified in front of the House of Representatives' Committee on Rules to persuade the organization of a House Committee focused on drafting a suffrage amendment (Woman Suffrage, n.d.). Thanks to Addams and plenty others, the 19th amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, granting women the right to vote in