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Chapter 13 : The Progressive Era |
Beginning in about 1900, a large, loosely organized group of urban, middle-class professionals—including journalists, social workers, educators, ministers, and socially conscious politicians—became concerned about the need for social change in the United States. These reformers—called "progressives"—were the first to thoroughly investigate social problems that they believed were unjust and undemocratic. Progressives feared that if social problems were not solved, democracy might be threatened.
The goal of progressives was an efficient, smoothly functioning nation where social problems could be managed by experts. Progressives focused their efforts in many areas including reform of the political system, business regulation, consumer protection, limits on immigration, tax reform, and temperance. Journalists called "muckrakers" brought many of these problem areas to public attention, and most Americans supported calls for change. Reform occurred mostly at local and state levels.
Although progressives had the nation's best interests at heart, some reforms came at the expense of immigrants and racial minorities. Reformers sought to assimilate immigrant cultures, and they neglected African Americans almost completely.
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