As a result of the Progressive movement, Americans began to believe that it was the government's role to fix social and economic problems as opposed to the responsibility of the individual. Question 13 options: True False.
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Correct Answer is True.
The Progressive movement, which took shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, marked a significant shift in American attitudes toward the role of government. This era was defined by a widespread belief that progress was possible through human intervention and that it was the responsibility of the government to address and rectify social and economic issues.
During the Progressive Era, activists and reformers sought to solve problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption. They believed that individual action alone was not enough to correct these systemic issues. Progressives argued for government intervention to protect workers, regulate monopolies, improve public health, and expand educational opportunities.
Key figures like Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson supported various reforms that reflected these beliefs. Legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act were implemented to address public health hazards. Additionally, the establishment of regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the passage of antitrust laws aimed to curb the power of large corporations and establish economic fairness.
The labor movement and female suffragists also contributed to the Progressive agenda by fighting for workers' rights and women's suffrage, respectively. This activism led to laws that improved working conditions and ultimately to the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Overall, the Progressive movement laid the groundwork for future governmental reforms and changed Americans' expectations of the government's role in society. Instead of solely promoting a laissez-faire approach where the government took a hands-off stance, Progressives created an enduring belief that it is within the government's purview to enact policies for the public's welfare, a sentiment that continues to influence American politics today.