Joseph Huthmacher: The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era took place in the 20th century from the years 1900-1920. Many changes took place during this time in history. Many issues were arising in the ideas of the industrial industry and the expansion of capitalism and this was the time of reformation and solving these issues. Many historiographers such as George Mowry, Joseph Huthmacher, and Robert H. Wiebe, have different views on the Progressive Era. Each historiographer has published work containing different responses to the topic. I mostly agree with Joseph Huthmacher because of his relation to the common and poor man in society.
In George Mowry’s, “Progressivism: Middle-Class Disillusionment,” readers get a glimpse of what The Progressive Era is in his opinion. In his work, he explains the constant issues of division from both an economical and social standpoint. In his work he explains why progressivism isn’t a good thing for the well being of the current American Society, or the future of it. He also says that progressives tried to make it a fantasy type of world where all is perfect and there are simply no issues with society. According to Mowry, the middle class were the progressives. These people were smart and already successful in whatever field they …show more content…
Huthmacher chooses to take a look at the lower class instead of the middle class. He says that is undeniable that the middle class made change in the states, but that it is also prominent that the lower class were involved. He understands that the middle class made change in the aspects of government and the “business” side of the business. The middle class were the people who did the jobs involving the money, whereas the lower class are the “blue-collared” workers that do the labor for the man in charge. Huthmacher says that if it weren't for these types of laborers, there wouldn’t have been change in society or