Essay On The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era was a period of economic, political, and social reform in the United States. The era began in the 1890 's, after the severe depression of the Panic of 1893 was coming to a close, and ended when the United States entered World War I in 1917. The main objectives of the movement were eliminating problems caused by urbanization, immigration, industrialization, and corruption in government. At the end of the Progressive Era in 1917, the movement had successfully taken strides in expanding democracy and regulating the economy. The Progressive Era impacted the development of politics by requiring the government to step in and make changes, ultimately resulting in a stronger and more powerful direct democracy.

From the time Theodore

This time called for the elimination of monopolies, and by doing so, competition increases and the power of the business elite decreases. With a rising middle class living in fear of the controlling and powerful business elite and political machines, the government needed to intervene. Therefore, in the late 1890’s the government passed the Sherman Antitrust Act which banned industrial monopolies that limited competition. The law sought to increase competition of the sale of items and goods, thereby helping the middle and lower classes earn money without fear of dominance of the wealthy elite and trusts. However, the act had little effect because the wording was so vague. Consequently, progressives worked for a stronger law to prevent business abuses. Their answer came in 1914 when Woodrow Wilson and Congress set up the Federal Trade Commission whose goal was to stop illegal business practices. President Woodrow Wilson provided the US with most of its Progressive Era

Nevertheless, in the changing times, the more powerful and direct democracy passed the nineteenth amendment. The amendment concluded the years of protesting from women advocating for women’s suffrage. The government was increasing its connections and expanding it representation to a new sector of the society: women.

During the twentieth century, the United States government increased its reach on society thanks to many successes it had during the Progressive Era. However, they were unable to control every aspect of society, especially the political machines, and become the ideal direct democracy they hoped of being. Nevertheless, the United States government became a powerful direct democracy that eliminated many problems from the preceding