Standing at Armageddon: A Grassroots History of the Progressive Era

Download or read book Standing at Armageddon: A Grassroots History of the Progressive Era written by Nell Irvin Painter and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2011-03-07 with total page 478 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A gripping and forceful narrative.”—Nancy F. Cott, author of Public Vows An “enthralling” (Michael Kazin, Washington Post) account of America’s shift from a rural and agrarian society to an urban and industrial society. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, technological innovation made possible dramatic increases in industrial and agricultural productivity; by 1919, per capita gross national product had soared. But this new wealth and new power were not distributed evenly. In this landmark work—with continued resonance for our times—acclaimed historian Nell Irvin Painter illuminates the class, economic, and political conflicts that defined the Progressive Era. Demonstrating the ways in which racial and social hierarchies were interwoven with reform movements, she offers a lively and comprehensive view of Americans, rich and working-class, at the precipice of change.