Successes and Failures of Progressivism

Overview of the Successes and Failures of Progressivism

As the Industrial Revolution progressed through the 1800s, corporate bosses, often called "robber barons," began to use unfair and unethical business practices to gain more profits at the expense of their employees. Many of these employees were immigrants, as well as young children, who were exposed to hazardous working conditions. The gap between the workers who could barely make ends meet and the rich who ran the factories was rapidly growing. The Progressives wished to regulate business practices and saw unions as a way to create real change. The National Municipal League was organized in 1894 and united reform groups across the country.

In the political arena, the Progressives aimed to corrupt political machines in major cities. This was spurred on by the Panic of 1893, which led to a movement to remove local governments from political machines' power. Corrupt governments were overthrown in cities like New York in 1894, Baltimore in 1895, and Chicago in 1896-7.

Fig. 1 - political cartoon depicting Boss Tweed, leader of the New York political machine Tammany Hall

It is important to remember there was not only one movement during the Progressive Era; multiple movements took place at different times, with different goals and outcomes, on different levels (city, state, and national). But despite the original differences between reformers, the early 1900s brought them closer to being on the same page; most wanted more equitable taxation (of railroads and other corporate property), better education for their children, housing reform, and better social services for the poor.

Overview of the Successes and Failures of Progressivism: The Federal Level

The elections of Theodore Roosevelt (1901 - 1909) and Woodrow Wilson (1913 - 1921) brought changes to the country on the national level. Both men worked to expand the federal government's power to regulate the private industry and create protections for workers and consumers.

Fig. 3 - Theodore Roosevelt

Many of the Progressive Era's successes can be seen in the implementation of multiple new Amendments, for example:

1. The 16th Amendment established a federal income tax.
2. The 17th Amendment allowed citizens to elect Senators directly.
3. The 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacturing, selling, and transporting of alcohol.
4. The 19th Amendment finally granted and guaranteed women their right to vote.

The period also saw massive improvements in workplace reform and consumer health and safety, with some examples being

1. The National Child Labor Committee was created in 1904 and fought for laws and regulations against child labor/exploitation in the workplace.
2. The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906 and ensured that food and pharmaceuticals were safe for consumption and that the packaging labels listed all ingredients.
3. The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 fought against the growth of monopolies, price discrimination, and all things that could be considered abusive business practices.

Despite protests and the clear will of many movements to fight the discrimination of people of color during this period, both Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt openly ignored the issues. As Roosevelt stated himself during his "New Nationalism" speech in Osawatomie, Kansas:

This was essentially the President's polite way of saying he had no interest in focusing on the issue of discrimination in the United States.

The Successes and Failures of Progressivism: The Key Problems

The Progressives made many positive changes but supported many discriminatory policies. During Woodrow Wilson's Presidency, he put forth a racial agenda that peaked with segregation of the federal government.

Fig. 4 - Woodrow Wilson

This was also when the US saw a revival of the Ku Klux Klan, an American white supremacist, and terrorist group. Their primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Catholics, Latinos, and Asian Americans.

Successes and Failures of Progressivism: The Conclusion