The History of Progressivism in the United States

Introduction

The progressive era between 1880 and to early 1900s is among the most significant periods in the history of the United States. The era was marked by massive political, social and economic reforms that have affected the region’s governance and development. The reforms were affected by various progressive and populist activists advocating for civic rights and ethical considerations in the social, political and economic sectors. This essay discusses the reformers’ ethics and civic considerations for reforms, the motivation behind the reforms, the methods used to achieve their goals, and the progressive movement’s significant successes.

Discussion

Progressivism began in the late 1800s when populist and progressive reformers sought to change the political, social and economic atmosphere to create a better society. The movement comprised people from different areas, including religious leaders, journalists, labor union representatives, environmental conservatives, politicians and economic reformers. Significant reformers include President Woodrow Wilson, Ida Wells, Jane Addams, William Taft, Upton Sinclair and president Theodore Roosevelt.¹ The reformists used the grassroots approach to engage civilians in achieving their civic goals. The method entails engaging people from the community level to spread information on reforms until the message reaches those in influential positions in the State.² From the grassroots, the reformist engaged politicians, journalists and members of the State who encouraged radicalization among influential populations.

The movement was motivated by the need for a fair, ethical and radicalized world where everyone had equal opportunities in all aspects of life. The civic and ethics that guided the reformers’ need for change are twofold. First, the reformers believed that people are subject to change and that human nature can be enhanced through incentives, applying rules, regulations and federal punishment for social efficiency.³ Secondly, the reformers wanted the government and federal agencies to use their power to protect civilians and improve lives toward and better and transformed society.⁴ Therefore, the reformists worked towards expanding the federal government’s influence to ensure they had the power to impose rules, policies and regulations in the private and public sectors.

Despite the civics, ethics and policies towards a better society, political conservatives and middles class members of society did not share the same sentiments with the reformers. The political conservatives believed that human nature is unchangeable, and limiting the size and scope of federal governments offered the most suitable method of governance. Consequently, middle-class citizens argued that the progressive reforms would lead to vast demographic, economic and social changes jeopardizing social class distinctions. ⁵ The middle-class population considered the rising immigration and promotion of equal rights a threat to democracy. Thus, most middle-class individuals opposed the progressive reforms.

Regardless of the opposition, the reformers succeeded in achieving various goals. The movement led to the establishment of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886, which advocated for workers’ rights and protection.⁶ In 1889, Jane Adams founded the first establishment for the poor and immigrants, the Hull House, which provided social services to the vulnerable population.⁷ Consequently, the progressive movement passed significant legislative reforms in the United States constitution. The amendment includes the sixteenth amendment establishing taxation on federal income, the eighteenth amendment prohibiting alcohol sales and the nineteenth amendment allowing women the right to vote.⁸ Other successful reforms include the Pure Food and Drug Act, guaranteeing the safety of food and drugs for consumers and workers and the Meat Inspection Act in 1906.

Conclusion

Generally, the progressive era saw significant social, political and economic changes in the United States. The movement was established to create radicalization and fairness during a time of corruption and social injustices exhibited by market monopolies and social classes that underpinned vulnerable populations. The policies and regulations would protect consumers and govern laws on labor, child labor, immigrants and women’s rights in society. Despite opposition from a few members of the middle-class society and politicians, the activists succeeded in numerous areas, which ensured equality, women’s rights and the welfare of immigrants and the poor. Thus, their ethics and civic considerations were for the good of civilians, unrepresented communities and the underprivileged.

Bibliography

Addams, Jane. Twenty Years at Hull-House with Autobiographical Notes. Macmillan, 1912.

Hansen, Randall. “Thomas C. Leonard. Illiberal Reformers: Race, Eugenics, and American Economics in the Progressive Era.” The American Historical Review 123, no. 1 (2018): 241–43.

Lee, Erika. “America First, Immigrants Last: American Xenophobia Then and Now.” The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era 19, no. 1 (2019): 3–18.

Rossum, Ralph A. American Constitutional Law, Volume II: The Bill of Rights and Subsequent Amendments. 10th ed. New York, New York: Routledge, 2019.

Tone, Andrea. The Business of Benevolence: Industrial Paternalism in Progressive America. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2018.

Footnotes

1. Randall Hansen, “Thomas C. Leonard. Illiberal Reformers: Race, Eugenics, and American Economics in the Progressive Era.,” The American Historical Review 123, no. 1 (2018): p. 241
2. Jane Addams, Twenty Years at Hull-House with Autobiographical Notes Macmillan, (1912): p. 321
3. Andrea Tone, The Business of Benevolence: Industrial Paternalism in Progressive America Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, (2018): p 71
4. Randall Hansen, “Thomas C. Leonard. Illiberal Reformers: Race, Eugenics, and American Economics in the Progressive Era.,” The American Historical Review 123, no. 1 (2018): p. 243
5. Erika Lee, “America First, Immigrants Last: American Xenophobia Then and Now,” The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era 19, no. 1 (2019): p. 09
6. Andrea Tone, The Business of Benevolence: Industrial Paternalism in Progressive America Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2018. p. 185
7. Jane Addams, Twenty Years at Hull-House with Autobiographical Notes Macmillan, 1912. p. 90
8. Ralph A. Rossum, American Constitutional Law, Volume II: The Bill of Rights and Subsequent Amendments, 10th ed. New York, New York: Routledge, 2019. p. 690