An investigation of the nature of early 20th-century progressivism is prompted when trying to understand and decipher the Hofstadter thesis. The basis of the thesis is that progressivism reflects the beliefs and interests of white Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) middle-class Americans. To verify this claim, we will take a deep look into the era to determine the accuracy of the thesis. An in-depth comprehension of progressivism requires a more comprehensive analysis of what was going on during the time. Progressivism sought to address problems like industrialization and inequality as a reaction to social, economic, and political concerns. The theory highlights certain demographics, whereas conventional narratives depict it as a middle-class movement. I have …show more content…
According to this viewpoint, progressivism very greatly served the interests of these group of people, influencing policies that coincided with their beliefs and priorities, and frequently ignoring the needs of minorities, working-class Americans, farmers, and immigrants. According to Hofstadter, the priorities and viewpoints of the middle and upper classes dictated the progressive agenda, resulting in laws that served their interests. Although progressivism claimed to be addressing social problems, its programs were frequently designed to assist the prevailing population, unintentionally ignoring the opinions and hardships of oppressed groups. Hofstadter's thesis casts doubt on popular conceptions of progressivism as a broad-based reform movement by emphasizing the specifics of social and political processes during the Progressive Era and the disproportionate impact of some demographic segments. The generation of rank-and-file progressives was diverse, consisting of members of many demographic and socioeconomic
The period of time running from the 1890’s through the early 1930’s is often referred to as the “Progressive Era.” It was a time where names such as J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Jay Gould and John D. Rockefeller stood for the progress of America and their great contributions to American industry and innovation. This chapter however, has a much darker side. Deplorable working conditions, rampant political corruption and power hungry monopolies and trusts threatened the working class of America and the steady influx of European immigrants hoping to make a better life for themselves and their families. What started as a grass-roots movement pushing for political reform at the local and municipal levels soon began to encompass
When World War I ended, Progressivism ended as well which occurred when much of the world’s problems were being put at rest; thu...
For example, the Progressive movement saw many laws passed which are still in effect today. Also, without the Civil Rights movement we would still be living in a hypocritical, racist society. In the late 1800’s, a group of Americans decided that something needed to be done about the decline of moral and ethical values in most Americans. These people called themselves the progressives and started one of the most comprehensive reform movements in the United States to this day. Progressivism became so widespread that by the end of World War I, anyone who didn’t agree with Progressive ideals was labeled a communist.
The Great Depression replaced those carefree years with ones of turmoil and despair. The decade after the First World War saw tremendous change. Progressivism was a leading factor in World War I and in the 1920’s the evidence can be seen. Industries are making their products at an increasing rate. Products that were not popular before World War I are now used by millions of Americans.
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.
Hofstadter believed their essence was in the free silver campaign. The free silver campaign wanted to devalue the dollar. Seeing as most farmers were in debt, this would be very good for them making them owe less. It would also supposedly increase the price of their crops. People don’t want to be in debt. People want their goods to sell the most that they can. This is what is important to people this is what a movement is going to be centered around. A movement with irrelevant topics is not going to get off the
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.
The Progressive Movement The progressive movement of the early 20th century has proved to be an intricately confounded conundrum for American historians. Who participated in this movement? What did it accomplish, or fail to accomplish? Was it a movement at all? These are all significant questions that historians have been grappling with for the last 60 years, thus creating a historical dialogue where in their different interpretations interact with each other.
Out of some of the most turbulent times in history have come the greatest ages of success and prosperity. The 1920’s and 1950’s are two eras that exemplify the spirit of triumph and wealth. In both decades, a nation thrilled by the victorious conclusion of war and the return of their loved ones from war entered into an age of capitalism and materialism, bolstering the economy and with it national pride. Some of features most common to the 20’s and 50’s were consumerism and the accompanying optimistic mindset, the extent to which new ideas entered society, and discrimination in terms of both sexism and racism.
When Richard Hofstadter published his book, The Age of Reform, his assumption of their being a Progressive movement was widely accept in the historical world. His controversial claim that a status revolution coupled with nativist fears caused the populist and progressive movements caused a boom in research and scholarship on the Populist and Progressive Movements. In 1977, Peter Filene published his “An Obituary for “The Progressive Movement.”” In it, he explains persuasively that there was no Progressive ‘movement’ because there was not a movement.
During the Progressive Era, occurring from 1890 until 1920, progressives attempted to make many changes at a national level and were characterized by support for economic, social, and political reforms. By realizing the rapid industrial growth, poor class, and immigration, progressive’s goals were to relieve these issues and create laws that gave the common people more power. Progressive reformers gave significance to issues of black rights and also to women suffrage, however these issues had proved to be forgotten by Woodrow Wilson, whom of which was the president during this time. Although the reformers were not successful with these two issues, they seemed to be successful in improving much of the other negativity that had occurred during this era including the working conditions of the meat industry, child labor laws, and by changing the competition from large companies. In the end, all of these proved that the reformers turned out to be very successful in bringing reform to a national level. Along with these issues that the progressives tried to stop competition, they also fought many groups that tried to eliminate social classes along the way. Progressives were able to be successful in restoring economic competition, making the government more efficient, and stemming the tide of socialism.
Reform was the goal of the Progressive movement, and with that in mind the reformers had great success. Progressive reformers were made up primarily of middle class men and women whose two main goals were to limit the trusts and to improve conditions of life and labor. These people were part of both political parties at the time, as well as in all regions of the country, and in all levels of the government. They wanted to remove bribed members of the legislature so that just laws and regulations were made that would benefit the people rather than the power-hungry corporations. This major movement altered all aspects of life creating a better living and working environment for people. The Progressive Era reformers and federal government developed the political, social, and economical elements for the better of the country.
Large corporations used this to their advantage. Profit oriented leaders did little to make suitable working conditions. With the aid of Muckrakers, journalists who exposed the underside of American life, the nation began to understand the "evils" of industrialization (599). More and more did Americans escalate their concern for reforms. The reformists promoting the ideals of Progressivism were moralists and championed the ideals of human rights. Progressivism embraced a widespread, many-sided effort after 1900 to build a better soc...
A good education has always been drilled into my head ever since I was a little girl. Boy did I hate that, all I wanted to do was goof off and have fun with my friends. But as the years went on I started to realize how important it was to have a good education. Not that that made me like school anymore than I did; but I was realizing the different ways I was learning and how different people taught. I remember saying one day, when I was a freshman in high school, that if I was teaching this class I would have never taught it that way. Unfortunately, my teacher overheard me and I was forced to go to the front of the room and explain to the class the way it should be taught since I knew so much about teaching. Needless to say I did an awful job of it. That is when I started thinking about becoming a teacher. I know that does not make sense because I did such an awful job and was humiliated doing it. I did not like the way that man taught and I was determined to take his job. However, the reason I am here today is not that I want to take a teacher’s job; it is because I have the desire to make a difference in the lives of many students. I hope I will be a good teacher so that I will never have to hear a student say something bad about my teaching.
“Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself.” John Dewey describes and supports progressivism, an education philosophy that I professionally identify with. Progressivism is a student centered philosophy that focuses on experiences, opportunities, and values that enhance a student 's learning and life. The role of the teacher is to act primarily as a facilitator of learning, they encourage and guide students to explore and promote individual development. As a future educator I believe it is important to involve students and allow them to take responsibility for their own learning and achieving their goals. The role of the student is to discover, engage, and express themselves.