In the early 20th century, Progressivism changed the role of government drastically. (pg. 777) The Progressive Era was a time of widespread, extraordinary “political innovation” and “social activism” that spanned from 1890 to 1920. (pg. 777) Progressives at the time sought to change the U.S. for the better due to the consequences of the urban-industrial revolution that caused a “crisis of democracy.” (pg. 777) Progressive reformers had varied motives and goals, such as populism, economic depression, influential socialist ideas, and “honest government.” (pg. 779-780) However, many agreed that “widespread inner-city poverty; countless children working in unregulated mines and factories; tainted food; and miserable, unsafe working conditions”…
(pg. 786) For instance, Progressives tackled the economic equality in the United States by creating a “progressive federal income tax” that caused tax rates to rise and lower with income levels. (pg. 792-793) Likewise, they attempted to regulate large businesses and remove corporate monopolies by passing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, although it did not work. (pg. 789) Additionally, they introduced a limit on child labor, ensured better working conditions, and reduced the length of the workday for women and children. (pg. 791) Moreover, Progressivism peaked during Woodrow Wilson’s terms as president, awaking people to the “evils and possibilities of modern urban-industrial life.” (pg. 813) For example, he tackled high tariff rates that were being misused to “keep consumer prices artificially high.” The Federal Reserve Act was passed on December 23, 1913, creating a national banking system that placed a Federal Reserve Bank in twelve separate regional districts to “adjust the nation’s currency supply” to stimulate economic development. (pg. 809)
As stated earlier, the Progressive Movement reformed government greatly. (pg. 777) Progressive reformers aimed to make the government more democratic, implementing ideas such as “direct democracy” and the Seventeenth Amendment. (pg. 787) “Direct democracy” increased public participation…
