In 1800 everyday life had changed little since the year 1000. By 1900 the Industrial Revolution had transformed the world's economy.

The Progressive Era is a label applied to rather broad and sometime disparate attempts in the period from the 1900 through the end of World War I in 1918 to address economic and social reform. The movement included advocates in both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as members of third parties focused on specific issues. The Progressive name derived from forward-thinking or "progressive" goals that its supporters sought to advance.