The Effects of American Reform Movements in the 1900s Living in the United States of America is all about opportunity. The ability to get a good job, earn money and lead a good quality life; in other words, the opportunity for life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. However, this opportunity did not exist for many people during the 1800s. Certain groups of people do not enjoy the basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution. In fact, most of the people who had opportunities were wealthy white men, and few other people had the chance to lead a good life. For example, in the late 1800s, African Americans had some rights, but many of their rights were severely limited by laws passed by wealthy white men. Additionally, Native Americans had no rights; they were not even considered American citizens. So how did the United States go from a country that only benefited white men to a land of opportunity for all? The answer to this question lies in reform movements. The many reform movements throughout U.S. history have shaped American society and culture as they are today. For example, the progressive movement saw the passage of many laws that are still in effect today. Furthermore, without the civil rights movements, we would still be living in a hypocritical and racist society. In the late 1800s, a group of Americans decided that something needed to be done to combat the decline in the moral and ethical values ​​of most Americans. These people called themselves progressives and launched one of the most comprehensive reform movements in the United States to date. Progressivism became so widespread that by the end of World War I, anyone who disagreed with progressive ideals was labeled a communist. The Progressives wanted to achieve four major goals. These four goals were the democratization of America, the Americanization of America, the humanization of capitalism, and the rationalization of the economy. Each goal addressed a different aspect of American society that progressives believed needed help. The way these goals were accomplished was to pass laws that would reform the practices of many Americans. Progressives believed that to return Americans to their times, people should attend church more, according to rural values..