The Progressive Movement: Progressivism In The United States

1567 Words7 Pages
For numerous of reasons concerning economic, political, and social developments that has taken place in four decades after the Civil War, sparked an almost revolutionary movement called Progressivism. In a new, vast land full of economic opportunities, this allowed the gateway for several people who will soon become empowered with wealth, dominating the political system for self-interest, and will also interchangeably lead to an effect on the social life of the majority. A prominent, Progressive figure, was President Theodore Roosevelt; In his “New Nationalism” speech, he outlines the goals and ideals of Progressivism that will appeal to the diverse majority of Americans and proves to be the foundation for future reformers and several accepting…show more content…
Their lives were almost intolerable and difficult to endure. The male breadwinners were unable to support their families, so this created the “family wage” in which each family members contribute in earning money just to get by. Businesses desirably targeted the women and children because they were more vulnerable, thus paying them a lesser amount of money. Many were susceptible to injuries but the businesses were not held countable for these liabilities. The poor working-class can barely make enough money to buy any necessities. They were unable to buy or live in luxury like the middle-class. Farmers suffered immensely also, as they can only profit by selling their crops which happens seasonally. Although they produced a surplus of crops, the prices for those crops dropped dramatically. Exporting goods were charged even more than the average people because railways were owned by private contractors. The farmers were unable to pay back any loans or produce much of an income. Unfortunately for these reasons, these children had to leave school and be subjected to live on these conditions and pass it on to their future generations. Roosevelt and many other Progressives sought in reforms that should “regulate child labor and work for women and enforce better sanitary conditions for workers and to extend the use of safety appliances for workers in industry and commerce.” Roosevelt and many other…show more content…
He and many other Progressives were highly against the rich or those who were engaging in only self-interest or special interest. Roosevelt believed that the main source behind fixing these problems was to convince the National and State government to prevent the corrupt corporations. Progressives knew that the National and State government was profoundly corrupted by the influence of their own special interests that were granted by these elitists. In order to prevent this, Roosevelt stated that the National and State government must create laws for all corporations to abide-- the laws must not only be created but be enforced, and a consequence for preventing corrupt corporations is taking the responsibility of its crimes. To let the citizens know that the corporations are following the laws, there must be “complete and effective publicity of corporate affairs.” Progressives were not only looking into the public welfare, but also the commonwealth and both governments. He believed that it would be just and fairer that the National and State government should act accordingly to benefit the public interest, and in return, the people will pay revenues in their best capabilities, fitting the actions of both governments, to benefit the public welfare. Since the commonwealth produces a “swollen fortune,” they will play the role as participating in a

More about The Progressive Movement: Progressivism In The United States

Open Document