The Progressive Era began between 1880 and 1920. Progressive reform began as a way to clean up politics and for social activism. It also exposes corruption within the government, as well as political machines along with the heads of big business. Many progressive reformers wanted to enforce a law prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages and close down saloons, progressive reformers began the fight for Prohibition. Many reformers wanted to improve the railway system, education, better working conditions, the eight-hour work week, remove trusts, a safer working environment, as well as help with women's suffrage. Out of This Furnace and Triangle focused on the struggle of immigrants trying to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Out of This Furnace is a fictional book by Thomas Bell. Although the book is fictional, it provides a real insight into the life of a steel mill and furnace worker during the late 1800s, their romantic involvement and fight for better working and living conditions for themselves and for their families. Many of these steel and furnace workers are immigrant men from Europe who came to America in hopes of finding jobs that would better themselves and their families in their home country. The Triangle based on the Triangle Belt factory fire that took place on March 21, 1911 in New York. Unlike Out of This Furnace, Triangle is a true story that focuses on the working conditions of female immigrant workers who worked in a sweatshop in unsafe conditions. At the time of the fire, it apparently broke out on the eighth floor of the building. The owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company locked all exit doors to ensure that the worker could not exit or enter the factory... in the middle of paper... find work to support their families. However, Triangle only focused on the tragic 1911 fire in New York, which claimed the lives of 146 women. There was a push for change after the fire. The International Women's Garment Workers Union, or ILGWU, and the Socialist Party have fought for better safety laws, enforcement of labor laws, and establishing better laws governing the work environment for women and children. Out of This Furnace is a fake story that focuses on the real lives of European male immigrants. These steel mill and furnace workers also worked in a dangerous environment and fought for better working conditions. Unlike Triangle, Out of This Furnace focuses on the daily lives of men, including their personal lives. Even though both stories are different in some areas, they are quite identical when it comes to being part of the Progressive Era.