To what extent was the Progressive era (1870 - 1920) a unified movement of reform and change in American society? How efficiently did progressivism manifest itself in national politics on the federal level of government?
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The question want to know how the Progressive Era changed American society.
It also wants to know what effect it had on American politics.
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To evaluate the extent to which the Progressive era was a unified movement of reform and change in American society, and how efficiently progressivism manifested itself in national politics on the federal level of government, we need to examine the major goals, achievements, and limitations of the Progressive movement, as well as its influence on federal policies and legislation.
1. Goals and Principles of Progressivism:
The Progressives aimed to tackle social, political, and economic problems that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. These problems included corruption, inequality, unfair working conditions, monopolies, and political machine domination. The Progressive movement advocated for government intervention and regulation to address these issues.
2. Achievements of the Progressive Movement:
The Progressive era witnessed significant accomplishments that demonstrated the movement's unity and impact. Some notable achievements include:
- Social Reforms: Progressives championed various social reforms, such as the temperance movement, women's suffrage, child labor laws, and improvements in education and healthcare.
- Political Reforms: Progressives sought to curb political corruption and increase citizen participation. They achieved this through measures like direct democracy, primary elections, direct election of senators (17th Amendment), and the establishment of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate business practices.
- Economic Reforms: Progressives advocated for legislation to address economic inequalities and concentration of wealth. They championed the passage of antitrust legislation, like the Sherman Antitrust Act, and the creation of the Federal Reserve System to regulate banking and monetary policies.
3. Limitations and Divisions within Progressivism:
While the Progressive movement had a unified vision for reform, there were limitations and divisions within its ranks. Some factors that hindered complete unity include:
- Racial and Gender Divisions: The Progressive movement had limitations in addressing racial and gender inequalities. Many white Progressives often marginalized African Americans and women, resulting in limited progress in civil rights and women's suffrage until later periods.
- Class Differences: The Progressive movement's focus on reforms primarily benefited the middle class and neglected the working class, leading to divisions among different socioeconomic groups.
4. Progressivism and Federal Politics:
Progressivism manifested itself in federal politics but faced certain challenges. Not all Progressive ideas and reforms were successfully implemented due to political obstacles and resistance from conservative forces. However, progressivism did significantly impact federal politics through multiple avenues:
- Presidents: Prominent Progressive presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson implemented reforms and pushed for progressive policies during their respective terms. Roosevelt's Square Deal and Wilson's New Freedom highlighted their commitment to progressive principles.
- Legislation: Progressives pursued and achieved significant legislative victories, including the previously mentioned reforms on trust regulation, labor standards, and political changes like direct election and reforms to campaign finance laws.
In conclusion, the Progressive era can be seen as a largely unified movement of reform and change in American society. Despite limitations and divisions, the Progressive movement achieved notable successes in terms of social, political, and economic reforms. Progressivism effectively manifested itself in national politics, with Presidents Roosevelt and Wilson championing progressive policies and significant legislation being enacted. However, the complete realization of all progressive goals was hindered due to political obstacles and divisions within the movement.