Weaknesses Of The Progressive Movement

The source I have selected for my research paper is an article published by The Chicago Daily Tribune on September 4, 1912 entitled “Real Progressivism.” The article described Progressive movement as an idea of genuine human betterment, carrier of measures, national, state and municipal, for the protection of the health and efficiency of people, as well as conservation of people’s health and strength. One main goal of the Progressive movement was to end corruption in government by revealing and undermining corrupted political machines and their bosses and making policies that are relevant to direct democracy. The article outlined some of the major weaknesses of the country during the year of 1912, and mentioned few examples of American

life conditions that require improvement and some progress. The article has sensationalized the wasteful practices of businesses as well as businessmen who profited from illegal and unfair business practices. The question of the land policy was also discussed, and the attitude of the article was quite negative toward the fallacies and illogical theories that were in use before the rise of the progressivism. The Tribune’s possible solution to the social dilemma of the American community is to involve the Progressive Party in developing proper machinery through which only Progressives would implement more logical policies. The ultimate goal of those policies is to allow departments of health care, health services, and national insurance to function in order to improve the lives of the people. The following statement is my thesis for the research paper: Although progressivism tried to end widespread corruption during the 1900’s, there are relentless dilemmas that can be found in some of its reforms such as corrupted politicians who did not really believed in direct democracy, long work hours, and poor structure of intellectual exercise and education that were established during the Progressive Era. I will argue that the Chicago Daily Tribune’s article overestimates the effectiveness and efficiency of the Progressive Party while denying its disadvantages. I have always been interested in the topic of the Progressive movement, from my knowledge it was very influential in American history from the year of 1900 to 1920, and I wanted to know why it was so significant during this specific time. I am eager to learn more about the Progressive movement, more specifically about its weak sides. I would like to research more on why and what motivated so–called muckrakers criticizing and sensationalizing issues on big businessmen, how some of the reforms failed due to progressivism and how progressivism has failed in fighting for equal rights for minority races.