The Progressive Era During the 1890s to the 1920s in the United States - Free Essay Example

During the 1890s to the 1920s, the Progressive Era widely impacted the lives of millions of U.S citizens and local governments creating a need for reform. It is created on the idea of progress mainly involving technology, science, social associations, and economic progress that are significant in improving our society. When the movement first emerged, it was improved with numerous efforts in order to respond to the problems created by big corporations and the unregulated growth of cities. Majority of progressives mutualized over a strong belief that science and knowledge could improve society, and that governments should take an active role in solving societys problems, (New York Times). However, progressives diverged widely in their actions and views. Some focused on making governments more efficient, while others worked to make government more alert voters. Together not only did these progressives allied beside one another in order to keep up their efforts on reforming society while showing their success along the way, but so did the presidents during this era who contributed and made immense changes to the U.S in political, economi c, and social ways. As the 19th century came to a close a new epoch, known as the Progressive Era emerged in response to industrialization. This early 20th century reform movement pursued control of the government to the people. In order to reinstate economic opportunities and to correct inequity in American life. Progressives believed that government could be used as a powerful tool for social improvement, (Gillon, Matson 2009). Although the Progressive ideal was presented by numerous Progressive authors of different genre, together they all presented the impact of the economic, political, social, and moral reforms of the American Society. The society was rehabilitated when politically progressivism entered the time of three presidents, Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. It first entered during Theodore Roosevelts administration when he had begun with the expansion of his own presidential power and changed it for increasing the powers for the federal government. (American Yawp). While promoting progressive reforms, he wanted to guarantee that the interests of private concerns did not hurt public interests. In order to end it, he confronted the monopolies of trusts and created a government bureau to watch over the undertakings of corporations, and strapped for laws that would protect. The Progressive Era signaled that a turning point had been reached for many Americans who were suddenly willing to confront the ages problems with national political solutions. Reformers sought to bring order to chaos, to bring efficiency to inefficiency, and to bring justice to injustice. Causes varied, constituencies shifted, and the tangible effects of so much energy was difficult to measure, but the Progressive Era signaled a bursting of long-simmering tensions and introduced new patterns in the relationship between American society, American culture, and American politics.