The Progressive movement (1890 to 1920) was largely a reaction to the rapid industrialization of America. The views held by many in the progressive movement regarding education, the environment, role of government, employee-employer relations and rejection of Social Darwinism crystallized into reforms that continue to affect the lives of Americans today.
Progressive Goals
The Progressive movement was comprised of disparate groups and individuals rather than one unified bloc. However, they generally believed in an expanded role of government and the protection of society's weaker members. Progressivism included many different -- and sometimes contradictory -- goals. Among these goals were the end of prostitution, women's suffrage, nationalization of utilities, the end of child labor, enactment of anti-trust legislation, alcohol prohibition, dissolution of Tammany-style political machines, Americanization of immigrants and enactment of immigration restriction laws and the end of sweatshops.
Government
Recognized by many as the beginning of the Progressive movement, the National Conference for Good City Government was convened in Philadelphia in 1894 in an effort to clean up government corruption and make government more efficient. The keynote speaker -- then-New York City Police Chief Theodore Roosevelt -- spoke passionately about streamlining government and applying moral tenets to it. The conference launched the National Municipal League, which became a training ground for Progressives and still exists today as an exchange network for Progressive-themed reform movements.
Roosevelt's Bully Pulpit
Many Progressive reforms were aimed at curbing the detrimental effects to society caused by industrialist greed. With Progressive reformer Roosevelt in the White House, corporations were forced to incorporate some of these reforms. Faced with intransigence by coal companies during a 1902 coal strike, Roosevelt threatened to use Army troops to keep the mines open. The owners backed down, began bargaining in good faith with the union and the strike ended. Roosevelt also used his office to disband a railroad monopoly through the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Education
The Progressive movement brought about many educational reforms, including a large increase in women attending colleges and universities. Other reforms were instituted by such Progressive reformers as Progressive education pioneer and champion John Dewey, who began touting an educational model that emphasized personal growth rather than rote learning and mastery of bodies of knowledge, and Harvard educator Charles Eliot, who introduced elective courses and teaching through seminars. Believing that education was the key to an "enlightened" population, Progressives also launched enrolment campaigns that resulted in record levels of children attending school.
Women and Minorities
Progressive efforts in equality have had a long-lasting impact on American life. It was during the Progressive era that women's employment switched from domestic service to clerical and professional jobs. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, led a drive for birth control among poor women and the Progressive move for women's suffrage came to fruition with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Reformer Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois led a movement for racial equality that included DuBois' founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
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