4.1: The Pure Food and Drug Act

Paired Sources from U.S. History, 1877-present
Table of Contents

  You don't have access to this content. Please try to log in with your institution. Sign In

Abstract

The Progressive Era lasted roughly from the 1890s to 1914. During that time, many laws passed Congress and state legislatures that were designed to reform society for the better. Progressive reformers often debated priorities over which laws to enact first. However, they tended to favor the same general principles such as efficient government, increased regulation, and promoting public safety. While these laws sound good in principle to modern ears, it is harder to understand what those laws actually did because of the way they were enforced.

Contents