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112 Progressive Era Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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The Progressive Era was a period of social and political reform in the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. During this time, a number of important social issues were addressed and significant changes were made to improve the lives of Americans. If you are studying this time period in history, you may be looking for essay topics that will help you explore the key events and ideas of the Progressive Era. Here are 112 progressive era essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

Discuss the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive Era reformers.
Analyze the role of women in the Progressive Era reform movements.
Evaluate the impact of muckraking journalism on American society during the Progressive Era.
Compare and contrast the approaches of different Progressive Era reformers, such as Jane Addams and Theodore Roosevelt.
Examine the significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in the context of the Progressive Era.
Explore the relationship between the Progressive Era and the labor movement.
Investigate the role of African Americans in the Progressive Era reform efforts.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on child labor laws.
Analyze the role of education reform in the Progressive Era.
Evaluate the impact of the Pure Food and Drug Act on American society.
Discuss the conservation efforts of Theodore Roosevelt during the Progressive Era.
Examine the impact of the Progressive Era on immigration policy.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Progressive Era in addressing urban poverty.
Analyze the role of religion in the Progressive Era reform movements.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on women's suffrage.
Examine the role of the media in shaping public opinion during the Progressive Era.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on the environment.
Discuss the role of government regulation in the Progressive Era.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American society and culture.
Evaluate the legacy of the Progressive Era in modern American politics.
Discuss the role of social welfare programs in the Progressive Era.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on the economy.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping American foreign policy.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on race relations in America.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on public health and sanitation.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping the modern welfare state.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy.
Discuss the role of women's clubs in the Progressive Era reform movements.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on education policy.
Evaluate the role of the federal government in the Progressive Era.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on the rights of workers.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on public health.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern environmental policy.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state policies.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and social policy.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace regulations.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and diplomacy.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection and product safety laws.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and services.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform movements.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship laws.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising practices.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation policies.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social services.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare laws.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism campaigns.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform efforts.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform initiatives.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship legislation.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising strategies.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation practices.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social welfare services.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare policies.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activist campaigns.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy efforts.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage practices.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform policies.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform movements.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship laws.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising practices.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation policies.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social services.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare laws.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism campaigns.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform efforts.
Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform initiatives.
Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship legislation.
Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising strategies.
Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation practices.
Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs

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Home — Essay Samples — History — History of the United States — Progressive Era

Essays on Progressive Era

How to write a progressive era essay, choosing progressive era essay topics.

What specific aspect of the Progressive Era am I interested in?
How can I relate the topic to contemporary issues?
How can I use primary sources to support my argument?
How did Progressive Era reformers attempt to address the problems caused by industrialization and urbanization?
What were the most significant achievements of the Progressive Era, and what were its most significant failures?
How did Progressive Era reformers view the role of government in American society, and what kinds of reforms did they advocate for?
How did Progressive Era reforms affect the lives of ordinary Americans, particularly those who were marginalized or oppressed?
What was the relationship between the Progressive Era and other social and political movements of the time, such as suffrage and labor movements?

Writing a Thesis Statement

Addresses the prompt or the question you are answering
Provides a clear argument or perspective
Highlights the significance of your essay.

Conducting Research

Organizing your essay.

Introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing statement that contextualizes the Progressive Era and leads to your thesis statement.
Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should address a specific aspect of your argument and provide evidence to support it. You can use primary and secondary sources to support your argument.
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Offer some reflections on the significance of the Progressive Era and its relevance to contemporary issues.

Progressive Era Essay Examples

Prompt examples for progressive era essays, goals and reforms of the progressive era.

Discuss the goals and key reforms of the Progressive Era in the United States. What were the main issues and injustices that progressives sought to address, and how did they advocate for change?

Muckrakers and Investigative Journalism

Analyze the role of muckrakers and investigative journalism during the Progressive Era. How did journalists and writers like Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell expose social and political problems, and what impact did their work have?

Women's Suffrage Movement

Examine the women's suffrage movement as a significant part of the Progressive Era. How did women activists like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul contribute to the fight for women's right to vote, and what were the challenges they faced?

Labor and Workers' Rights

Discuss the labor movement and efforts to improve workers' rights during the Progressive Era. How did labor unions advocate for better working conditions and fair wages, and what were the outcomes of their actions?

Environmental Conservation

Explore the conservation movement and its impact on environmental policy during the Progressive Era. How did figures like Theodore Roosevelt contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the establishment of national parks?

Legacy of the Progressive Era

Analyze the lasting impact of the Progressive Era on American society and politics. How did the reforms and changes implemented during this period shape the nation's future, and what lessons can be learned from this era?

The Different Changes in Effect During The Progressive Era

The main improvements made during the progressive era in america, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Progressive Era: Woman Suffrage, African American and Immigration

The long term impact of the progressive era's changes in society today, major changes that impacted the united states in the progressive era, major achievements of the progressive era in america, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Overview of The Major Problems During The Progressive Era

Review of the issue of constraints against progress of a society, the birth of the progressive era from the flaws of the gilded era, the contribution of booker t. washington during the progressive era, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

American Privateers in The Revolutionary War

"biopower today": an outline, the machines have arrived: possible future of robots, analysis of all in the family television show, the first transcontinental railroad of 1869 in the progressive era.

United States

Trust-busting, Women's Suffrage, Initiative and Referendum, Spanish-American War

Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Evans Hughes, William Jennings Bryan, Woodrow Wilson

The Progressive Era with intense social and political reform aimed at making progress toward a better society across the United States of America that spanned the 1890s to the 1920s. During this period, reformers worked to improve American society and counteract the effect of industrialization. The main purpose of the movement was eliminating corruption in government. Many progressives were also concerned with the environment and conservation of resources.

Progressive Era movement targeted the regulations of huge monopolies and corporations, that was done through the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. The main purpose of the Progressive movement was the eliminating of corruption in government. The leaders of the era worked on the issues such as labor rights, women’s suffrage, economic reform, environmental protections, and the welfare of the poor, including poor immigrants.

Many Progressives supported prohibition in the United States in order to destroy the political power of local bosses based in saloons. In 1918, Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment established prohibition of alcohol in 1920.

Between 1900 and 1915, more than 15 million immigrants arrived in the United States. The U.S. population nearly doubled between 1870 and 1900. By 1900, 30 million people, lived in cities.

The cause of women’s suffrage became a priority for many during the Progressive Era. American women finally achieved the right to vote with Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, that granted women the right to vote and forbade any suffrage restrictions based on gender.

The Progressive movement fractured after America’s entry into World War I.

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Progressive Era Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on progressive era, 🎓 most interesting progressive era research titles, 💡 simple progressive era essay ideas.

Progressive Era 1890-1920: Positive and Negative Impact
United States Progressive Era
The Progressive Era in the United States’ History
The Legacy of the Progressive Era
Successes and Failures From Reconstruction Through Progressive Era in America
The Progressive Era and World War I
Progressive Era of the United States History
The Progressive Era in the United States
The Progressive Era in America
The History of Progressive Era in the United States of America
Theodore Roosevelt and Progressive Era
The Progressive Era History
Comparative Perspectives on the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Gender Ideology and Dramatic Convention in Progressive Era Plays
The Struggles of Women Industrial Workers to Improve Work Conditions in the Progressive Era
Capitalism and Politics in the Progressive Era and Ours
American National Parks: The Transnational Creation of National Space in the Progressive Era
State Courts and Protective Legislation During the Progressive Era
Urban African American Community Development in the Progressive Era
Rethinking Sexuality in the Progressive Era
Linking Politics and People: The Historiography of the Progressive Era
Reform vs. Reality in the Progressive Era Texas Prison
Native Americans and Indian Policy in the Progressive Era
Popular Culture and Women’s Higher Education in the Progressive Era
The Progressive Era Revolution in American Attitudes Toward Sex
Customer to Consumer: The New Consumption in the Progressive Era
The Constitution and Business Regulation in the Progressive Era
Determinants of Working Women’s Wages During the Progressive Era
Progressive Era Labor Regulations Impact on Annual Earnings and Employment in Manufacturing
The Progressive Era Assault on Individualism and Property Rights
Organized Teachers and Educational Reform During the Progressive Era
Density Dependence in Economic Sectors in the Progressive Era
The Mysterious Stranger: Mark Twain’s Critique of Progressive Era Meritocracy
Examining the Anti-Tobacco Movement in the Progressive Era
Bank Failures and Economic Activity: Evidence From the Progressive Era
The Rise of Lobbying and Interest Groups in the States During the Progressive Era
Exploring Interclass Women’s Collaborations in Progressive Era Novels
Virtual Modernism: Writing and Technology in the Progressive Era
Overview of Immigration and Urbanization in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
The Importance of the Progressive Era in Public Administration Today
Political and Economic Effects of Progressive Era Reforms in US Cities
The Supreme Court and Property Rights in the Progressive Era
The Transformation of Originality in the Progressive-Era Debate Over Copyright in News
Child Labor Through the Progressive Era in Early Twentieth-Century America
The Political Economy of Social Change and Nation-Building During the Progressive Era
Origins of American Social Policies: The Progressive Era
Progressive Era Origins of the Regulatory State and the Economist as Expert
Children and Youth During the Gilded Age vs. Progressive Era
The 1915 Seamen’s Act: Maritime Labor and Progressive Era Maritime Reform
Progressive Era Conceptions of the Corporation and the Failure of the Federal Chartering Movement
Exploring the Progressive Era Origins of the National Security Act
Evolutionary Science and Christian Belief in Progressive Era Political Economy
The Determinants of Progressive Era Reform: The Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906
Discussing the US Army Reforms During the Progressive Era
Prostitution in the Progressive Era: Reform Movements in Three Jurisdictions
Effects of Food Regulation in the Progressive Era
The Novice Administrative State: The Function of Regulatory Commissions in the Progressive Era
Struggles Over Individual Rights and State Power in the Progressive Era
Examining Federal News Management in the Progressive Era
Presidential Protection During the Progressive Era: The Aftermath of the McKinley Assassination

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The Progressive Era Key Facts

Home / Essay Samples / History / History of The United States / The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era Essay Examples

The rise of muckraking in the progressive era.

During the years 1900-1916, it was the period of the Progressive Era. This was a time of economic growth due to a surge of production, population, and the expansion of the marketplace. Cities and farms grew simultaneously. The city was surrounded by the creative minds...

Antisemitism and Anti-catholicism in the Progressive Era/gilded Age

Religious discrimination was a part in the early America. Many of the first colonist were Protestant so there was no discrimination. Once many countries began immigrating to America looking for the “American Dream” sadly many were left with a sour taste as America was not...

Analysis of the Problems in the Progressive Era

The beginning of the 1900s was full of big changes. Some people think the Progressive Era was good; however, kids were working long unfair working hours, women had no voting rights, and the food was disgusting and not clean. There were a lot of problems...

The Problems America Faced During the Progressive Era

The important role of theodore roosevelt in the progressive era.

The Progressive Era began because of the industrialization and urbanization of largely populated areas. The Progressive Era occurred during 1890’s to the 1920’s. The Progressive Era was a time where many reforms started to take place, to fix problems that were created because of industrialization...

The Wall Street Crash: Roosevelt’s Progressive Presidency

Due to the complexity of social, political, and economic layers within the USA in the years 1919-41, there cannot be considered a singular dominating force in the shaping of the nation, as progressivism and conservatism inextricably played a significant role. Following the First World War,...

American Indian Policies During the Progressive Era: Issues and Responses

The Progressive Era in American history is often touted as a period of “great” reform. It was during this period that the great monopolies of American industry were disbanded (with the enactment of antitrust laws). Political corruption was also minimized due to the institutionalization of...

Workplace Reform in the Progressive Era

In the late 1800’s to early 1900’s there was a workform epidemic that was affecting the workplace in its entirety. There were many struggles for the men, women, and even children that worked in factories and on farms. These struggles included but were not limited...

Discussion of Whether the Progressive Era Was a Good Or a Bad Time

The Progressive Era was a big turning point in America's history. At the time, people began to not only advance industrially but also morally and mentally. People began to realize that people are people and that they should be treated as such. With this advancement,...

The Main Outcomes of the Progressive Era

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