The main ideal of the Progressive and Populist movements was to address the social and economic inequalities in society, but they differed in their approaches and target audience. The Populist movement, primarily composed of farmers and laborers, aimed to challenge the power of big banks and corporations and advocated for agrarian reforms, such as free silver and government regulation of railroads. On the other hand, the Progressive movement, which emerged in the early 20th century with a broader base of support, sought to address various social issues, including political corruption, workplace conditions, women's suffrage, and income inequality. While both movements aimed to combat socioeconomic disparities, the Populist movement focused more on the rights and interests of rural agricultural workers, while the Progressive movement took a more holistic approach to social reform.
