Culture and Society

Assignment Details

Social Reform in the Gilded and Progressive Eras

Jacob Riis was a journalist and social reformer whose photographs of the poor in New York City in the late 19th century are legendary for their candor and grit. Do a search for the photographs of Jacob Riis (himself an immigrant). Many of his works can be found here.

Riis and other reformers brought the plight of the poor, the immigrant, and the rural farmer to the forefront of politics at the turn of the 20th century. The cause of such conditions can be directly attributed to the growth of corporations and unregulated business practices during the late Industrial Revolution in the United States (1850–1900).

In your Discussion Board post, choose 2 of the following topics:

• Women's rights
• Working conditions
• Living conditions
• Access to housing or health care
• Immigration reform

In 1 paragraph on each topic, answer the following questions with late 19th-century historical examples:

1. What were some of the specific causes that led to these reforms? 
2. Who were some of the main proponents of the reforms you chose?  
3. How were the reforms you chose enacted? 

You may include a photo by Riis representing the social issue you chose, if you wish, by copying and pasting the image URLs to your Discussion Board post.