The Effects of American Reform Movements in the 1900s Living in the United States of America is all about opportunity. The opportunity to find 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, the opportunity for many people was not there throughout the 1800s. Some groups of people did not enjoy the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. In fact, most of the people who had opportunities were wealthy white men, and few other people had ever had the chance to lead a good life. For example, in the late 1800s African Americans had some rights, however many of their rights were severely limited by laws enacted by wealthy white men. Furthermore, Native Americans had no rights; they were not even considered citizens of the United States. 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 is through reform movements. The numerous reform movements throughout the history of the United States have shaped American society and culture into what they are today. For example, the progressive movement saw many laws passed that are still in effect today. Furthermore, without the civil rights movements we would still live in a hypocritical and racist society. In the late 1800s a group of Americans decided that something needed to be done to counteract the decline of moral and ethical values ​​among most Americans. These people called themselves progressives and started 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. Progressives had four main goals they wanted to achieve. 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 achieved was to pass laws that would reform the practices of many Americans. Progressives believed that to return America to its old days and rural values, people would need to attend church more.