Progressive Movement Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

Jacob Riis's "How the Other Half Lives" primarily focuses on the living conditions of workers in urban slums during the late 19th century in New York City. Riis was a social reformer and a journalist who used photography and vivid descriptions to expose the harsh realities faced by the impoverished populations living in tenements. His work highlighted issues such as overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and the struggles of immigrants and the working class to make a living in a rapidly industrializing society.

By focusing on this group, Riis aimed to raise awareness among the affluent classes and promote social reform. His depictions served as a powerful catalyst for action, leading to changes in housing laws and improved living conditions for many. The other groups mentioned, while also facing significant challenges, were not the central focus of Riis's work in this particular text. His emphasis on urban slum dwellers emphasized the stark divide between the wealthy and the poor, which was a fundamental theme of the Progressive Movement.