Progressives

Definition

Progressives were a diverse group of reformers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who sought to address the social, economic, and political problems that arose from the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the United States. They advocated for a more active role of the government in regulating business, protecting workers, and improving public welfare.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Progressives sought to address issues such as political corruption, social inequality, and the negative consequences of industrialization and urbanization.
2. They supported reforms such as the regulation of big business, the protection of workers' rights, and the improvement of public health and education.
3. Progressives were influential in the passage of the Sixteenth Amendment, which established the federal income tax, and the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the direct election of U.S. senators.
4. The Progressive movement was diverse, with support from a wide range of groups, including middle-class reformers, urban dwellers, and some business leaders.
5. Progressives played a significant role in shaping the domestic policies of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who championed many of their reform efforts.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Progressives' views on patronage influenced their political agenda.
  • The Progressives were highly critical of the patronage system, where political parties awarded government jobs and contracts to their supporters. They saw this as a source of corruption and a barrier to effective governance. The Progressives advocated for civil service reforms, such as the Pendleton Act, which established a merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees. By reducing the influence of political patronage, the Progressives aimed to make the government more efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the public rather than the interests of political machines.
• Analyze the Progressives' stance on tariffs and how it related to their broader economic agenda.
  • The Progressives were generally in favor of lowering tariffs, which were high during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They believed that high tariffs benefited large corporations and protected them from competition, contributing to the growth of monopolies and trusts. The Progressives argued that lower tariffs would promote competition, reduce consumer prices, and curb the power of big business. This position was part of their broader effort to regulate the economy and break up the concentration of economic power, which they saw as a threat to the public interest. By addressing the issue of tariffs, the Progressives sought to create a more level playing field and empower consumers and smaller businesses.
• Evaluate the Progressives' views on the gold standard and how it aligned with their overall economic philosophy.
  • The Progressives were generally skeptical of the gold standard, which pegged the value of the U.S. dollar to the price of gold. They argued that the gold standard limited the government's ability to use monetary policy to address economic problems, such as recessions and unemployment. The Progressives believed that the government should have more flexibility to manage the money supply and stimulate the economy when necessary. This position was consistent with their belief in a more active role for the government in regulating the economy and promoting the public welfare. By challenging the gold standard, the Progressives sought to give policymakers the tools to address the economic challenges facing the country, which they saw as a crucial component of their broader reform agenda.

Related terms

Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed corruption, social injustice, and other societal problems during the Progressive Era.

Square Deal: The domestic program of President Theodore Roosevelt that aimed to protect the interests of the general public against the power of large corporations.

Trustbusting: The policy of using antitrust legislation to break up large monopolistic corporations in order to promote competition and protect consumers.