A Progressive Era Essay
The progressive movement evolved from the civil war as many felt that America was going through a crisis of democracy. Many Progressive politicians felt it was their moral virtue to bridge the gap between the rich and poor by breaking up big businesses, promote democracy through direct election of senators. They believed thus actions would offer prosperity with all individuals, preferably white individuals. The progressive era proved successful with many of its accomplishments still relevant today and helped shape America as it is today with the Progressive movement picking up again.
The first step to promote democracy within America was to end corruption within the government. U.S. senators were elected by state legislatures. This practice benefitted politicians and did little for the American people. This practice also lead to wealthy people buying their way into office such as Montana senator in 1900. Progressives, inspired by the Populist Party, campaigned for direct election of U.S Senators by the people. The elected U.S. senator would be the voice of the population and in theory campaign for the population’s instead of their own. The 17th amendment was added to the constitution in 1913 when Progressive president Woodrow Wilson was in office. The 17th amendment is still in important today because the direct election for senators is by the people and for the people. Progressives used muckraking among other tactics as a way raise awareness about social and economic injustices. Muckraking is journalism that searches out and publicizes scandals which underhand famous people. Muckraker Lincoln Steffens wrote about egotistical businessmen in politics which, in turn, made the government corrupt. He noted that J.P Morgan is a railroad boss who ran an American institution, not in a politician. J.P Morgan ran the first billion-dollar company with his company controlling majority of the railroad business in America. President Roosevelt ordered for an investigation for J.P Morgan’s monopolized business which resulted in the government agreeing …show more content…
While the tactics to get the attention of the people were over the top, the Progressive movement was rather successful in promoting democracy for the majority of individuals with the exclusion of African Americans. Lincoln Steffens makes a strong point of misgovernment of the American people is misgovernment of the American people. The corruption was created by an organization that’s supposed to represent the people and does very little to help them. Progressives wanted to promote prosperity for majority of Americans, the things they accomplished was a step in the right direction. The 17th amendment gave power to the people, child labor laws were changed, and anti-trust suits began shutting down monopolized companies. These accomplishments positively affected Americans they were advocating for and also paved the way for the future of America.
President Roosevelt campaigned for Progressivism with the influence from the Populist Party when he was in office, and the Progressive Era lasted over the span of 3 presidents; himself, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. While all three of them accomplished many important issues, Roosevelt’s leadership and influence is why I believe he was the most Progressive president of the era. While he was passionate about bettering the lives of most people and ending corruption, he actually enacted several acts during his presidency that benefited the country and the well-being of the in the past and now in the
The progressive movement evolved from the civil war as many felt that America was going through a crisis of democracy. Many Progressive politicians felt it was their moral virtue to bridge the gap between the rich and poor by breaking up big businesses, promote democracy through direct election of senators. They believed thus actions would offer prosperity with all individuals, preferably white individuals. The progressive era proved successful with many of its accomplishments still relevant today and helped shape America as it is today with the Progressive movement picking up again.
The first step to promote democracy within America was to end corruption within the government. U.S. senators were elected by state legislatures. This practice benefitted politicians and did little for the American people. This practice also lead to wealthy people buying their way into office such as Montana senator in 1900. Progressives, inspired by the Populist Party, campaigned for direct election of U.S Senators by the people. The elected U.S. senator would be the voice of the population and in theory campaign for the population’s instead of their own. The 17th amendment was added to the constitution in 1913 when Progressive president Woodrow Wilson was in office. The 17th amendment is still in important today because the direct election for senators is by the people and for the people. Progressives used muckraking among other tactics as a way raise awareness about social and economic injustices. Muckraking is journalism that searches out and publicizes scandals which underhand famous people. Muckraker Lincoln Steffens wrote about egotistical businessmen in politics which, in turn, made the government corrupt. He noted that J.P Morgan is a railroad boss who ran an American institution, not in a politician. J.P Morgan ran the first billion-dollar company with his company controlling majority of the railroad business in America. President Roosevelt ordered for an investigation for J.P Morgan’s monopolized business which resulted in the government agreeing …show more content…
While the tactics to get the attention of the people were over the top, the Progressive movement was rather successful in promoting democracy for the majority of individuals with the exclusion of African Americans. Lincoln Steffens makes a strong point of misgovernment of the American people is misgovernment of the American people. The corruption was created by an organization that’s supposed to represent the people and does very little to help them. Progressives wanted to promote prosperity for majority of Americans, the things they accomplished was a step in the right direction. The 17th amendment gave power to the people, child labor laws were changed, and anti-trust suits began shutting down monopolized companies. These accomplishments positively affected Americans they were advocating for and also paved the way for the future of America.
President Roosevelt campaigned for Progressivism with the influence from the Populist Party when he was in office, and the Progressive Era lasted over the span of 3 presidents; himself, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. While all three of them accomplished many important issues, Roosevelt’s leadership and influence is why I believe he was the most Progressive president of the era. While he was passionate about bettering the lives of most people and ending corruption, he actually enacted several acts during his presidency that benefited the country and the well-being of the in the past and now in the