Changes During the Progressive Reform Movement

738 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Reform movements from the 1800s

The progressive reform movement was a large movement that started in the nineteenth century. According to Knott and Miller, the progressive reform movement was a “finely honed machine for meeting the needs of a variety of constituencies: corporations seeking franchises, tariffs, or other favors; immigrants seeking housing, information, or a sense of ethnic identity in a new world; local newspapers seeking support through public advertisements; the municipal work force seeking jobs through political patronage (pg. 33).” All of these made it the large progressive reform movement, which allowed for a connection between the party and organizations. The progressive reform movement has some constituencies for reform. Two groups that supported the reform were the populists and the civil service reformers. Both of these groups served as an important ally to the core groups in the Progressive movement. The populists was a group that consisted of farmers and small merchants that had been destroyed by other groups that were much larger such as railroads, bankers, and the other economic forces. The civil service reformers were a small but growing number of people that “saw the problem of patronage primarily in moralistic terms” (pg. 34) according to Knott and Miller. The difference between the populists and the civil service reformers was that the populists usually weren’t educated and had less money while the civil service reformers made it their goal to put forth their best men, those with money and generally upper class, professional men. Progressives felt that to simply vote the best man in like the civil service reformers wasn’t going to cut it, they needed to study the government institutions and the rules needed to be changed. Now bo... ... middle of paper ... ... as simple and clear-cut responsibilities for those in government. The tactics that were used by the progressive party varied and there were many. Using party competition, fighting the party system with party tactics, attacking the party system, starting with the grassroots, reform through executive leadership, and eliminating politics were all a part of the tactics used (pg. 43- 53). This movement and the changes continued into the future. According to Knott and Miller, (pg. 67), “Professionalism in policing, as in medicine, education, and social work, became identified with a bureaucratic structure of professionals over non-professionals.” Professionalism became a huge part of the medical, education, social work, law enforcement, and military fields. Groups of professionals began to join national and state associations such as the American Medical Association.

Show More
Related

  • Judd And Swanstrom: Chapter Analysis

    1387 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...l to readers to see how the reform movement played a major role in better health and labor standards across many cities in the United States. By giving more focus to these positive elements, I thought it could have made for a very interesting contrast between pros and cons for the reform movement, similar to what readers received while reading about machine politics in Chapter 3.

    Read More

  • Movements Throughout History Led by Farmers and the Economy

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...’s suffrage and more social welfare programs. Progressivism focused on eliminating practices harmful to farmers, workers, tenement dwellers, and consumers by expanding government regulation over the economy. They wanted to government to help make it easier for people have more control over their lives. Without the populist the progressive movement would have never been able to complete so many accomplishments. Progressive party did not last but its goals, similar to the populist goals, become influential in the future. The progressive movement was overall a more overcoming movement. It took the populist ideals and influenced them in order to become successful during the progressive movement rather then in the populist. If the populist had an expanded argument rather then just based on farmers then they could have been more successful and setting out their goals.

    Read More

  • George Washington Plunkitt of Tammany Hall

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    Plunkitt's objections to civil service reform are twofold, not only could young men not get the jobs without passing examinations that did not pertain to their job, but it also made giving out jobs to supporters more difficult.... ... middle of paper ... ... The book Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is not only a monument to George W. Plunkitt's 40 plus years as a senator, it is also a monument to his enormous ego. G. W. Plunkitt was a well-liked man among his supporters and Tammany men alike.

    Read More

  • The Effects of American Reform Movements in the 1900s

    2279 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Effects of American Reform Movements in the 1900s Living in the United States of America is all about opportunity. The opportunity to get a good job, make money, and lead a life of good quality; in other words, the opportunity to live, live, and live the Pursuit of Happiness. However, the opportunity for many people was not around throughout the 1800s. Certain groups of people did not hold the basic rights that were guaranteed by the Constitution. In fact, most of the people that had opportunity were the wealthy white men, and few other people ever had any chance to lead a good life.

    Read More

  • To what Extent the Progressive Movement was Successful

    1284 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning of the twentieth century, the economy was booming, new technology flourished. The rapid industrialization brought achievement to the United States, however, it also caused several social problems. Wealth and power were concentrated in the hands of a few, and poverty and political corruption were widespread. As people became aware of these problems, a new reform group was created. Unlike populism, which had been a group of farmers grown desperate as the economy submerged into depression, the new reform movement arose from the educated middle class. These people were known as the progressives. The Progressive Movement was a movement that aimed at solving political, economic, and social problems. The Progressives were people from the middle class who had confidence that they could achieve social progress through political reform. The Progressives sought after changes and improvements in the society through laws and other federal actions.

    Read More

  • The Reform Movement: From Classical Reform to the Present

    1127 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reform Judaism started as a response to the Enlightenment that occurred in the late 17th and the early 18th century. The Jewish people needed to determine how to best combine new ideologies with their religious practices. The Jewish people suddenly had a new, non-Jewish world that they could be apart of. Some started to lose interest in religion. The Reform Judaism movement was created to adapt to these changes in society. The movement’s fundamental belief was that religious change is good (Kaplan 183). Platforms were created to define the boundaries for Reform Judaism and show how the Reform Movement is different than the traditional form of Judaism (Meyer & Plaut 195). The Reform movement has undergone many significant changes of their ideologies including Israel and the Halacha. These changes display their core idea of adapting Judaism to the social environments but simultaneously always keeping the Jewish community bound together. These changes are made from 1885 to 1999 with the Pittsburgh Platform, Columbus Principles, and Statement of Principles.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Progressive Era And The New Deal Era

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thesis The Progressive Era and the New Deal Era had a significant amount of similarities with policies and programs to reform the American society and improve lives and fight poverty in America. Although the Progressive and New Deal Era had many similarities, there were still differences between them. Both the Progressive and the New Deal Era’s main goal was to improve American society. Both of the Progressive and New Deal’s accomplishments were rooted in the economic depression and the need for change before the era, the Guilded age in the 19th century for the Progressive era, and the Great Depression for the New Deal era. As the Guilded Age was ending, and the Progressive Era was emerging, most American families had to live with the harsh reality of sweatshops, slums, child labor, corruption in government and businesses, disease, and racial prejudice.

    Read More

  • Effectiveness of the Progressive Era

    599 Words  | 2 Pages

    Within the period of 1900-1920, many national reforms were rising to the top as Progressive Era reformers and the federal government heard the voices of the people. The effectiveness of Progressivism is a controversial subject for some, but the future was changed through the events of any actions a president made, the rights of people, and unfair treatment and conditions. This era brings changes to our society that also changes the future of it. These two decades brought forth successful times in bettering America.

    Read More

  • The Populists and Progressives

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the late 19th and early 20th century both the Populist Party and Progressive movement wanted to preserve some things, while also addressing the need for reform. Although many of the ideas and goals of these “Third parties” were initially not legislated and considered far-fetched, many of these ideas later became fundamental laws throughout American history. The Populists and Progressives were both grass roots movements, and addressed the needs of the poor and powerless, for the Populists it was farmers and for the Progressives it was urban lower and middle class workers. These two movements attempted to bring the powerless peoples issues to national politics. The Populists and Progressives wanted to preserve some American ideals of the past, such as a sense of community and the ability for farmers and workers to live happily without economic strains. Populists were more oriented to the plight of the farmer while the Progressives included women's rights, and protection of the consumer and labor.

    Read More

  • Progressive Era Vs New Deal

    922 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reform provides permanent programs to avoid another depression and to protect citizens against an economic disaster. The Progressive Movement which targeted urban complications, there was a massive disparity between the wealthy and the poor and the goal was to bring equality into the nation. The movement aimed towards removing corruption and including American citizens into the political process. Additionally, to encourage the government to solve the social issues that were occurring in the late 1800’s and early 20th century, all while balancing impartial treatment into the economic matters.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era's Affect on Modern America

    1904 Words  | 4 Pages

    Where did some of modern America's issues originate from? The answer to that is the Progressive Era. The Legislation of that era laid all of the groundwork for today, and much of it is still in public debate today. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, three of the presidents from that era, all played roles in the groundwork. These presidents passed acts, tariffs, and amendments that are still with us, and debated today.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reformers known as Progressives attempted to undo the problems caused by industrialization. The Progressive movement sought to end the influence of large corporations, provide more rights and benefits to workers, and end the control possessed by party leaders. At the national level, Progressivism centered on defeating the power of large businesses. The Progressive Era was a period in American history in which improving working conditions, exposing corruption, improving the way of life, expanding democracy, and making reforms were the objectives at hand. With the emergence of the Progressive Era, two important figures gradually emerged as well.

    Read More

  • The Progressive Era and Movement

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    All in all, the progressive movement was made up of very influential events and changes that amounted in success. Even though only few of the reformers had been successful, the most important movements- to restore economic competition, making government more efficient, and stem the tide of socialism- were successful. By allowing for support from President Wilson, progressives were able to gain support and become very successful in completing what they stood for. Not only did this mean they gained rights for child labor, but they also helped to create a more equal government for the people, and eliminate competition from large companies. In the end, the progressives were very successful in achieving each of their goals.

    Read More

  • Progressives In The Late 1800's

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    Unfortunately, most of the reforms sought out by reformers during the late 1800’s were mostly ignored. For example, Farmers during this time came together to create the National Farmers Alliance, which aided in the creation of the Populist Party and worked to lower tariffs and eliminate the trust in order to help American Farmers. However, despite their hard efforts, the “millionaires club” Senate did not sway away from their cozy relationship with big business, and instead of aiding their efforts, imposed weak legislation like the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Reforms such as the Interstate Commerce Act failed to quench the demands of movements throughout the United States during this time. Early progressives during this time were met

    Read More

  • What Was The Role Of The Progressive Movement In The 1920s

    1187 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the early 1900s and into the early 1920s, a political movement began to sweep across the United States of America, trying to change the way of life for many. This political movement spanned from the local and city governments all the way to state and national governments. The political movement sought to reform the structure of city governments, regulate natural monopolies, and to rid politics of saloons and the corrupt business practices. This movement became known as the Progressive Movement. Robert Crunden once said that, “any political activity that pretended to make the American economic or political system fairer in some way” (73) was able to be classified as part of the Progressive Party. The Progressive Party was what some historians

    Read More

More about Changes During the Progressive Reform Movement

Open Document