Unit 7

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Gilded Age & Progressive Era

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1877-1920

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The Progressive Era

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1897-1920

03

Workplace Reform

Progressivists focused their attention on the absence of health and safety codes, workers’ compensation, and working hours in several industries. In particular, progressivists promoted better working conditions in factories, coal mines, and railroads, all of which were particularly dangerous.

• Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911): more than 150 women died due to the doors of the factory being locked from the outside.

Solutions

• Progressives pushed for workers’ compensation for those injured on the job.
• Building codes set minimum standards for lighting, air circulation, room sizes, and sanitation, and required fire escapes.