Progressive Era

Definition

The Progressive Era was a period of social and political reform in the United States that spanned from the 1890s to the 1920s. It was characterized by a push for greater government regulation and intervention to address the challenges brought about by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social inequality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Progressive Era was a response to the social and economic challenges brought about by rapid industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Progressives sought to use the power of the federal government to address issues such as worker exploitation, political corruption, and the excesses of big business.
3. Muckraking journalists played a key role in exposing the abuses of big business and government, helping to spur public support for progressive reforms.
4. The Progressive Era saw the passage of landmark legislation, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.
5. Progressivism had a significant impact on foreign policy, with the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and the development of 'Dollar Diplomacy' during the Taft administration.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Progressive Era was a response to the challenges of industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The rapid industrialization and urbanization that occurred during this period led to a range of social and economic problems, such as worker exploitation, political corruption, and the excesses of big business. Progressives sought to use the power of the federal government to address these challenges and improve the lives of ordinary Americans. This included efforts to regulate industries, break up monopolies, and implement social welfare programs to alleviate urban poverty and improve public health and safety.
• Describe the role of muckraking journalists in the Progressive Era and how their work contributed to the push for reform.
  • Muckraking journalists played a crucial role in the Progressive Era by exposing the corruption and abuses of big business and government. Through their investigative reporting, they brought public attention to issues such as the unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants, the exploitation of workers, and the influence of wealthy industrialists on the political process. This helped to spur public outrage and support for progressive reforms, as citizens demanded that the government take action to address these problems.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on foreign policy, including the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy'.
  • The Progressive Era had a significant impact on American foreign policy. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine expanded the United States' role in the Caribbean and Latin America, asserting the right to intervene in the affairs of other nations to maintain political and economic stability. Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy' sought to use American financial power to further the country's economic and political interests abroad, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America. These policies reflected the Progressive Era's emphasis on using government power to promote American interests and influence on the global stage, even if it meant compromising the sovereignty of other nations.

Related terms

Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed the corruption and abuses of big business and government during the Progressive Era.

Trust Busting: The effort by the federal government to break up large monopolistic corporations, known as 'trusts', in order to promote competition and protect consumers.

Social Gospel: A Protestant Christian movement that emphasized the application of Christian ethics to social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and urban blight.