Identify the events that led to the Progressive Era, and explain who the Progressives actually were.
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The Progressive Era, which lasted from the 1890s to the 1920s in the United States, was characterized by a wave of social activism and political reform. The events that led up to the Progressive Era were diverse and complex, involving social, economic, and political changes:
1. Industrialization: The rapid growth of industries in the late 19th century created economic inequalities, poor working conditions, and urban overcrowding. This led to a push for reforms to address these issues.
2. Labor Unrest: The poor conditions in factories and the lack of workers' rights led to numerous strikes and labor movements, which called for better pay, shorter hours, and safer working conditions.
3. Immigration: A massive influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia created a demand for assimilation programs and concerns about the "American" identity, fueling reform movements like the settlement house movement.
4. Urbanization: The rapid growth of cities due to industrialization and immigration caused numerous urban problems, such as inadequate housing, sanitation, and education services.
5. Political Corruption: The existence of political machines, which controlled cities through patronage and corrupt practices, led to a demand for political reform and more direct voter participation in politics.
6. Wealth Disparities: The conspicuous wealth of the elite (the Gilded Age) alongside stark poverty among the working class prompted calls for economic reform, including antitrust laws and income tax.
7. The Social Gospel Movement: This was a religious movement that applied Christian ethics to social problems, advocating for the abolition of child labor, better housing, and fair wages.
8. Muckrakers: Investigative journalists, called muckrakers, exposed corruption and injustices in society and business, such as in Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," which revealed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
Who were the Progressives?
The Progressives were a diverse group of people who sought to address these issues through reform. They came from various backgrounds, including middle-class citizens, laborers, journalists, politicians, and intellectuals. They were not a single unified movement but rather a coalition of different groups and individuals who shared common goals of improving society through governmental action, education, regulation, and social work. Progressives generally believed in the power of science, technology, and education to improve society and supported an expanded role for the federal government in regulating the economy and ensuring social welfare.