The Pros And Cons Of Progressivism

Progressivism was a reform movement that began during the end of the 19th century and continued through the first couple decades of the 20th century. During this time, many writers, politicians, and social welfare advocates came forward as leaders of the Progressive movement and sought to solve societal problems that were caused by capitalism and the Industrial Revolution. While these Progressives often differed in what they saw as America’s main problem and how it could be fixed, they shared the common belief that in order for the reforms to work, the government needed to take the lead, be actively involved in the reforms, and be more democratic. All citizens, similarly, were to take responsibility for their society as well. What follows is

Reformers successfully addressed the unacceptable worker and consumer issues, and they helped regulate big businesses and the economy with anti-trust laws and government regulation agencies. They addressed social problems such as prostitution, alcoholism, birth control, and crime, and they helped conserve natural resources. Plus, reformers helped provide free healthcare and public education. Health and sanitation regulations were also created and overseen as a result of the reformers, as were factory safety regulations, labor laws, and child labor laws. They formed pressure groups that demanded a democratic government at all levels. They helped pass numerous national and state laws, as well as get four amendments added to our nation’s Constitution. By getting more people politically involved, the government became less corrupt and began focusing more on its people’s

Reformers who wanted to help the inner city, often immigrant, neighborhoods built community-like centers called settlement houses. These settlement houses helped improve the lives of the people by providing hygiene classes and other basic skills, by providing education, by providing job counseling, by providing childcare, by teaching immigrants the English language, and by offering medical clinics. The most prominent settlement house, the Hull House, was located in Chicago’s West Side and founded by Jane Addams. Often, these houses