Difference between revisions of "Progressive Era"

Revision as of 00:46, October 7, 2008

The Progressive Era or Progressive Movement, from the 1890s to the 1920s, was a major era in American history. It is most famous for political reforms, as proposed by Republicans Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Evans Hughes and Herbert Hoover, and Democrat Woodrow Wilson. The progressive era emphasized efficiency and an end to political corruption, and appealed to well-educated middle class Americans.

The progressives strongly supported education, science, and medicine, and saw ignorance as the main problem to overcome. They wanted to purify society, and most supported prohibition and woman suffrage. Jane Addams was the most prominent leader outside government.

Progressive ideas also influenced American business, with entrepreneurs like Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan, who promoted efficiency. they also gave strong support to philanthropy and to religion, especially worldwide Christian missions.

Booker T. Washington was the leading progressive voice in the African American community.

In 1912 Roosevelt created a new party, the "Progressive Party" to run for president, but he lost.