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==Reform ideas==

==Reform ideas==

Progressivism meant expertise, and the use of science, engineering, technology and the new social sciences to identify the nation's problems, and identify ways to eliminate waste and inefficiency and to promote modernization.  The reformers of the Progressive Era advocated the [[Efficiency Movement]].  Progressives assumed that anything old was encrusted with inefficient and useless practices.  A scientific study of the problem would enable experts to discover the "one best solution." Progressives strongly opposed waste and corruption, and tended to assume that opponents were motivated by ignorance or corruption. They sought change in all policies at all levels of society, economy and government. Initially the movement was successful at local level, and then it progressed to state and gradually national. The reformers (and their opponents) were predominantly members of the middle class. Most were well educated, white, Protestants who lived in the cities. Catholics, Jews and African Americans had their own versions of the Progressive Movement. See [[George Cardinal Mundelein]], [[Oscar Straus (politician)|Oscar Straus]] and [[Booker T. Washington]].

 

Progressivism meant expertise, and the use of science, engineering, technology and the new social sciences to identify the nation's problems, and identify ways to eliminate waste and inefficiency and to promote modernization.  The reformers of the Progressive Era advocated the [[Efficiency movement]].  Progressives assumed that anything old was encrusted with inefficient and useless practices.  A scientific study of the problem would enable experts to discover the "one best solution." Progressives strongly opposed waste and corruption, and tended to assume that opponents were motivated by ignorance or corruption. They sought change in all policies at all levels of society, economy and government. Initially the movement was successful at local level, and then it progressed to state and gradually national. The reformers (and their opponents) were predominantly members of the middle class. Most were well educated, white, Protestants who lived in the cities. Catholics, Jews and African Americans had their own versions of the Progressive Movement, as exemplified by [[George Cardinal Mundelein]], [[Oscar Straus]] and [[Booker T. Washington]].

The Progressives pushed for social justice, general equality and public safety, but there were contradictions within the movement, especially regarding race.  To many Progressives, especially in the South, black suffrage was a corrupting force (the votes were presumably purchased or controlled by ministers) and had to be minimized. The Catholics had their own version of the movement which they applied to their schools, colleges, and hospitals.

The Progressives pushed for social justice, general equality and public safety, but there were contradictions within the movement, especially regarding race.  To many Progressives, especially in the South, black suffrage was a corrupting force (the votes were presumably purchased or controlled by ministers) and had to be minimized. The Catholics had their own version of the movement which they applied to their schools, colleges, and hospitals.