How and why did the progressives and their reforms change America? What were the limits of progressivism?
What was the legacy of the progressive reform?
Progressives, or progressive thinkers, were the cornerstone of reform in America, inspiring and encouraging new programs that would benefit citizens. The progressive era in America was not without its complications as progressivism played a role on both sides of the political spectrum, leading to a clash of what was considered worthy of reform, and what was regarded as the government prying too much into business and citizens personal lives. Progressives found success in various political reforms such as strikes by men and women workers for higher wages, safer regulations, and lowering of …show more content…
Another President apt at reforming was Woodrow Wilson who took to reshaping the bank system and free market in America through tariff reforms and the creation of the Federal Reserve Act. Wilson’s era was also a pioneer for the movements for minorities and women, as America was becoming increasingly liberal but at the same time, sticking to various traditional values. This led to tension between those that wanted things to stay the same, and those that accepted change; thought change was hard to come by, it had nonetheless an impact on the years to …show more content…
Progressives had a habit of jumping on the reform bandwagon, obtaining rights (mostly white and male citizens), and then shutting out minorities that were fundamental in achieving that reform in the first place. The limits progressives tended to create were those that affected those with dissenting political opinions, minorities, and women. For instance, when the Socialist or Communists parties began emerging, Americans were fearful they would lose the new power they had previously just attained from reforms that suited their needs. Those with dissenting opinions, such as Eugene V. Debs, were seen as traitors to the flag and most of them were harrassed, deported, or jailed. Progressivism left behind many of those of color as well; although progressivism championed new labor laws, it left immigrants or those with darker skin color. Jim Crow laws were created and African Americans found it hard to rise in businesses; Asians were altogether excluded and forgotten under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which later evolved to incorporate any one from the Asiatic zone. One California governor Hiram Johnson “signed the Alien Land Law, which barred Japanese immigrants from purchasing land in California” (Roarke, pp.559). Women’s fight for better treatment in the workplace and higher wages was usually met with success, but the fight for suffrage was often
What was the legacy of the progressive reform?
Progressives, or progressive thinkers, were the cornerstone of reform in America, inspiring and encouraging new programs that would benefit citizens. The progressive era in America was not without its complications as progressivism played a role on both sides of the political spectrum, leading to a clash of what was considered worthy of reform, and what was regarded as the government prying too much into business and citizens personal lives. Progressives found success in various political reforms such as strikes by men and women workers for higher wages, safer regulations, and lowering of …show more content…
Another President apt at reforming was Woodrow Wilson who took to reshaping the bank system and free market in America through tariff reforms and the creation of the Federal Reserve Act. Wilson’s era was also a pioneer for the movements for minorities and women, as America was becoming increasingly liberal but at the same time, sticking to various traditional values. This led to tension between those that wanted things to stay the same, and those that accepted change; thought change was hard to come by, it had nonetheless an impact on the years to …show more content…
Progressives had a habit of jumping on the reform bandwagon, obtaining rights (mostly white and male citizens), and then shutting out minorities that were fundamental in achieving that reform in the first place. The limits progressives tended to create were those that affected those with dissenting political opinions, minorities, and women. For instance, when the Socialist or Communists parties began emerging, Americans were fearful they would lose the new power they had previously just attained from reforms that suited their needs. Those with dissenting opinions, such as Eugene V. Debs, were seen as traitors to the flag and most of them were harrassed, deported, or jailed. Progressivism left behind many of those of color as well; although progressivism championed new labor laws, it left immigrants or those with darker skin color. Jim Crow laws were created and African Americans found it hard to rise in businesses; Asians were altogether excluded and forgotten under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which later evolved to incorporate any one from the Asiatic zone. One California governor Hiram Johnson “signed the Alien Land Law, which barred Japanese immigrants from purchasing land in California” (Roarke, pp.559). Women’s fight for better treatment in the workplace and higher wages was usually met with success, but the fight for suffrage was often