The Achievements of Progressive Era Reformers The Progressive movement was very influential in many ways in early 20th century America. Companies have become safer and much more respectful towards their employees. Society accepted moral changes and became safer communities. The government has been influenced by the progressive movement becoming much more democratic and caring more about the needs of its people. The progressive movement was successful in reforming American business, society, and government policies in many different cases. The progressive movement was primarily about improving human nature, and businesses treated many workers poorly. Many muckrakers worked to end the terrible conditions that many workers were experiencing at the time. These muckrakers also revealed how dangerous it was to work in a factory and how child labor was used (us-history.com). Attacking this, many muckrakers used the power of journalism to document and expose the terrible working conditions of the time (us-history.com). Numerous companies of the time exploited labor and the fact that the government barely regulated markets angered progressive reformers (eagleton.rutgers.edu). In some cases, businesses would create monopolies or even trusts to eliminate competition. However, progressive reformers managed to pass the Clayton Anti-Trust Act along with the Federal Trade Commission Act (Gongol). These acts allowed for more stringent government regulation of business practices and established rules on international trade and fair and legal business practices (Gongol). The rise of both industrialization and cheap labor helped create powerful companies, which then formed trusts to eliminate competition. (eagle......center of paper......y] Reform: Progressive Era Reform. Np, 2001. Web. March 13, 2014. .Gongol, Brian. "The Clayton Anti-Trust Act." Gongol. n.d. Web. March 9, 2014. Hayes, William. “The Progressive Education Movement: Is It Still a Factor in Schools Today? Np. March 12, 2014. .West, Thomas G. “The Progressive Movement and the Transformation of American politics." The Heritage Foundation, July 18, 2007. Web. March 9.. 2014.