Progressive Movement Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The Progressive Movement significantly addressed child labor primarily through advocating for laws that restricted or banned the employment of children in various industries. This approach stemmed from the movement's broader goal of improving social conditions and ensuring the welfare of vulnerable populations, particularly children who were often subjected to harsh working conditions, long hours, and minimal pay.

Progressives recognized the detrimental effects of child labor on children's health, education, and overall development. They pushed for reforms that would legislate against the exploitation of children in the workforce, leading to numerous states and eventually federal legislation that sought to limit or eliminate child labor practices.

This advocacy culminated in significant laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which included provisions to protect children from being employed in hazardous occupations and established minimum age requirements for various types of work. The emphasis on legal reforms was crucial in bringing national attention and urgency to the issue of child labor, fundamentally changing how society viewed the rights and protections necessary for young workers.

While all the other options touch on important aspects of social reform during the Progressive Era, such as promoting family businesses or child education initiatives, they do not directly address the crucial legal and policy changes regarding child labor itself. The focus on laws restricting child labor was a pivotal component of