Lana Batarseh
Professor Cerri
History 320
10 March 2018
A People's History of Change
The Progressive Movement, a movement for the people and by the people, was more important in comparison to the Populist movement, since it started the transformation of American history. The root of change originated in this productive era of reform for America's working middle class and the less fortunate. “Progressives could be found in all classes, regions, and races. “They shared a fundamental belief that America needed a new social consciousness to cope with the problems brought on by the enormous rush of economic and social change in the post–Civil War decades” (Faragher p. 457). The Populist Movement, also known as the People's Party, was motivated by good intentions, in which Americans sided with the right wing believed their country should represent their new reality after the 1896 election. However, the biggest difference between these two movements is that the Populist Movement was only able …show more content…
There was a lot of excitement, and serious unities happening even within the racially-conflicted white and black communities, but the popularity of Populism declined significantly as it was not meeting the needs of society. Certain attitudes and political opinions were ingrained in the minds of Americans during this epic time period, and William Jennings Bryan losing the election contributed to the unsatisfied behaviors of Americans, specifically workers and farmers. “Widespread rural poverty, poor diet, and little access to capital meant the world of southern agriculture had changed very little since the days of the populist revolt in the 1890s” (Faragher p. 514). Fighting for change, the Populist Movement wasn't strong enough to overcome the economic and social changes that were present and rising like the Progressive Movement
Professor Cerri
History 320
10 March 2018
A People's History of Change
The Progressive Movement, a movement for the people and by the people, was more important in comparison to the Populist movement, since it started the transformation of American history. The root of change originated in this productive era of reform for America's working middle class and the less fortunate. “Progressives could be found in all classes, regions, and races. “They shared a fundamental belief that America needed a new social consciousness to cope with the problems brought on by the enormous rush of economic and social change in the post–Civil War decades” (Faragher p. 457). The Populist Movement, also known as the People's Party, was motivated by good intentions, in which Americans sided with the right wing believed their country should represent their new reality after the 1896 election. However, the biggest difference between these two movements is that the Populist Movement was only able …show more content…
There was a lot of excitement, and serious unities happening even within the racially-conflicted white and black communities, but the popularity of Populism declined significantly as it was not meeting the needs of society. Certain attitudes and political opinions were ingrained in the minds of Americans during this epic time period, and William Jennings Bryan losing the election contributed to the unsatisfied behaviors of Americans, specifically workers and farmers. “Widespread rural poverty, poor diet, and little access to capital meant the world of southern agriculture had changed very little since the days of the populist revolt in the 1890s” (Faragher p. 514). Fighting for change, the Populist Movement wasn't strong enough to overcome the economic and social changes that were present and rising like the Progressive Movement