African Americans During The Progressive Era

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The New Deal was a collection of programs, economy building, various laws, and a departure from the progressive era. The progressive movement was created as a response to the turmoil America was in following the introduction of industrialization. At this time, government officials were struggling to stabilize the economy and gain the trust of American citizens. The New Deal was established shortly after to resolve those same issues. Progressive reformers believed in individuality and were not looking to capitalize from the movement, they instead sought out equality in every aspect of American lives and were successful in many instances. Progressives fought to end what seemed to be a myriad of social issues that were bound to arise as the country rapidly grew in several facets. For example, African Americans during this time were still considered second-class citizens and Jim Crow laws were very much alive. Jim Crow was the name of a system that had restrictive laws against African Americans that lasted nearly a hundred years. There were many African American activists at the time that refused to take this treatment and decided to make a change. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois are two progressive reformers that definitely gained some attention during this era. …show more content…

The Works Progress Act, one of many programs offered by his New Deal, offered hundreds of thousands of unemployed and unskilled workers job opportunities. The purpose of the program was to end the depression or at least diminish some of the damage it had done, and give all citizens an equal opportunity to earn money for themselves and

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