America was considered a paradise for many immigrants seeking a better life. There were better jobs and better wages too. Even if this is feasible, it would be very difficult for new immigrants. Capitalism began to take advantage of the average American by giving all the wealth to large corporations owned by one person. The Progressive Era brought new opportunities to immigrants as well as people already living in the country. Social, political and economic reforms categorized this era. The main improvements were the dissolution of trusts, purer food and a better working environment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Trusts took control of many major industries in the late 1800s. In the 1900s, people began to take action against trusts. One of the main trusts was that of the railway companies. They were all somewhat connected and raised prices for many while offering free passes to some. The Hepburn Act allowed the government to control railroad prices and bring them down to reasonable levels. It also removed the ability to offer free rail passes. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed to ensure competition in the marketplace. Without competition, industries had total power in some markets, with small businesses either bought out or forced out of business. These monopolies were dissolved thanks to the law and the diligence of Roosevelt. As Upton Sinclair's The Jungle illustrates, the quality of the food was not up to the standards it was supposed to be. The main character, Jurgis, worked in a packing factory where he packaged meat unfit for human consumption. An inspector came but was easily distracted by the owner. To help ensure the quality of food, certain laws have been passed. To guarantee the quality of meat and ensure that it is intact, the Meat Inspection Act was adopted. This was followed by the Pure Food and Drug Act, which required all foods and drugs to be properly labeled with their ingredients. This law was replaced by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which gave the government the power to inspect and regulate food and other products. During the early industrial phase of the United States, farmers left their land to work in factories. They thought they would live a better life, when in reality they had to work harder and earn less. There have been many workplace accidents, but no measures have been taken to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. Conditions did not improve in the late 1800s until the Progressive Era. Groups of “reformers helped workers and their families and pleaded with employers to eliminate unsafe working conditions and other abuses” (Progressive Era Investigations). Protesters also banded together within their unions, demanded higher wages, and often saw wages increase and the length of the work day shortened. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. The late 1800s were marked by economic growth, but living and working conditions suffered for large..