PROGRESSIVE ERA

Progressive Era

Progressive Era

Introduction

The Progressive era was society's response to industrialization and it's by-products, by-products meaning urbanization, urban growth, corporate power, labor safety, widening class divisions, and humanitarian themes for immigrants and laborers. Unlike most movements this era wasn't brought upon by political parties but by the people. People formed private groups such as the American League for Civic Improvement or the Playground Association of America. Also unlike most movements, instead of one major group of people being the source of votes, the Progressive movement engulfed people from all over the social status line. Laborers, the middle class, women, and even the upper class were behind this radical change for America. Key people like Jane Addams and Gifford Pinchot fueled the fire for the Progressive era changing America forever. (Noggle 2006)

 Progressive Era

The heavy industrialization of America brought upon near irrepressible corporate powers to this country. People like Andrew Carnegie, Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan dominated the market and influenced the nation like no other individual. The laborers for these large businesses worked in poor conditions filled with safety hazards and minimal pay. The laborers also crowded to these factories in the overpopulated cities such as New York City and Chicago. When fired immigrants would take over the job for less pay. Such events brought upon great strikes and violence. Something had to be done. When all of American society was affected in the way businesses the people banded together to stop the chaos. The progressive movement was all about the regulation of business, no labor exploitation, federal intervention to help out the rest of America. (Thelen 2009)

Progressive Movement

The Progressive Movement was the first time that the problems that were blatantly obvious to Americans, or perhaps being ignored, were dealt with in an intelligent and thorough manner. The government had decided to become what it was meant to be which was a democracy. The people had made demands and they were acted upon. New acts and laws were passed to protect the vulnerable and impoverished of America, and the natural wildlife that covered the country. The Progressive Movement was progress, America heading in the right direction. Cleaning up the slums, organizing private associations to help the weaker, less fortunate of the nation, lessen the gap between the rich and poor, and to ensure America's survival and strength in the future. (Glad 2006)

The progressive movement had many origins. One of these was the battle against governmental corruption and inability, in other words a struggle for civil services reform. The progressive movement was initiated by liberals in both political parties, the fight for government reform can be traced back to Liberal Republicans(An Oxymoron, Mr. Jetel?) during the Grant administration and Mugwumps. Citizens were enraged, with big businesses' growing influence in all branches of government and sought ways to purify it. Inventors, philosophers, social theorists, and historians led the progressive movement laying down the groundwork for the future. They believed that intelligent disciplined people should lead America into its new ...