which era is credited with causing such changes as improving workplace conditions food safety housing standards and passage of the 16th 17th 18th and 19th amendments

Answer: The right answer is the Progressive Era or Progressive Movement.

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that this significant period in the history of the United States took place between the 1890s and the 1920s, and those who led it aimed at creating better social, economic and cultural opportunities for the American society. As a result of the industrialization, businessmen became wealthier and there were cases of corruption among the political class. Factory workers, however, experienced terrible living and working conditions. In order to put an end to this nonsense, a group of reformers (journalists, writers and politicians among them) compeled the federal government to intervene and to pass legislation that protected those in need. Through the passage of the 19th Amendment, women were finally granted the right to vote. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration was created at this time, with the goal of guaranteeing the safety of the food and the medicine that was available for human consumption. Labor unions fought for improving the working and living conditions of their members. Nevertheless, in spite of its achievements the Progressive Era did not treat everybody equally, and immigrants and African Americans, specially, suffered a great deal as a result of this ideology, which ended up favoring white Americans over the rest.

The Progressive Era is credited with causing such changes as improving workplace conditions, food safety, housing standards, and the passing of the 16th 17th 18th and 19th Amendments.