Final answer:
The opportune moment for the fight for equality between 1850 and 1890 arose from the social and economic transitions of post-Civil War America, leading to movements for civil rights, women's suffrage, and labor rights. The Progressive Era addressed challenges such as corporate power and social inequality, which laid the foundation for ongoing struggles for equality in modern times.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period between 1850 and 1890 was an opportune moment for the fight for equality because it was a time of significant transition in American history, characterized by the aftermath of the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and the beginning of the Progressive Era. This era saw the end of slavery, the struggle for civil rights for African Americans, and the growing movements for women's suffrage and labor rights. However, despite the progress made during this time, many of the issues that sparked protests and calls for change, such as racial discrimination, inequality, and the fight for women's rights, persist today.
The memory of the Civil War began to fade and new concerns about the power of corporations, the strength of American democracy, and the nation's role internationally came to the forefront. Africans Americans experienced a growth in educational institutions but also faced Jim Crow laws, lynchings, and disfranchisement. Additionally, the U.S. economy's shift from agriculture to a capitalist system highlighted the unequal distribution of wealth, which fueled social and political movements aimed at reforming society.
The Progressive Era emerged in response to rapid urbanization, immigration, corruption, poor industrial working conditions, and increasing corporate power. Activists from diverse backgrounds, including investigative journalists known as Muckrakers, brought issues like women's suffrage, prohibition, and democratic reforms into the public eye. These movements formed the groundwork for modern movements that continue to fight similar battles over equality and social justice in the 21st century.