There are many ways in which the development and expansion of technologies was related to the need for social reforms.
Technologies and Monopolies
Around this time, many technologies were being created, such as the development of electricity, and many more, however, these huge advancements could not take place without some sort of difficulty. This is where the muckrakers came in. They would investigate the issues of these advancements. One example is large companies. They would be good for producing goods, but they could become monopolies.
Unfair Treatment
During the Progressive Era, Black Americans tried to ascend their societal position. In the South, Black people could not even vote. They were restricted by the poll tax, literacy test, and grandfather clause, which were all cruel challenges that the people could not pass to gain their voting right. People such as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois worked on trying to gain their voting rights. It was not only Black people, who were having issues at this time. Since there were more factories, there was a lot of child labor. People called progressives worked to make laws to end this.
National Parks
During the time people were making all these laws, the government also set aside millions of acres of land to become national parks. President Theodore Roosevelt was the main person in charge of this. He loved the outdoors, so he created these parks and forests. This was good for the animals, but Native Americans were thrown off their land for these parks.