Progressive movement is the gradual improvement of the way of doing things. The United States of America, just like any other country, had challenges in improving their system. After getting their independence they had problems in maintaining order as it was full of diversity based on the number of races. At first most of the citizens were divided in terms of their origin, but later race played an important role in the line of division. The blacks became so discriminated as they were portrayed inferior and not fit to rule. The following is an account of the progressive movement from grassroots to the White House.
Some of the problems that the country experienced during their grassroots levels are; the nation was at a brink. This was characterized by the social unrest. The myriad social problems required new solution and thus the progressive movement towards attaining this. Corruption and filth during the gilded age, the movement intended to reduce the level of corruption. Blacks were constantly being looked down upon, they were treated like animals and this exposed more filth within the nation. The other of people not in power worked in the worst conditions and had most of the filthy houses to stay at. The need to move towards a welfare state also makes the progressive movement a success.
There are various features associated with progressive movement and this can be categorized under: Democracy, efficiency and improved regulations. Democracy involved the primary democracy that is people having to vote for their leaders. They were to vote for their president every election year. The citizens had the right to come up with initiatives that would benefit the state more. They also had the right to practice in the referendum. They had to be consulted when the constitutions is being drafted and also to vote to approve the final constitution. They had the right to call for referendum if they felt the constitution was not good enough. Efficiency is another feature of the progressive movement. The states stated being efficient in their ways of life, the two major areas that they applied the efficiency are the economic and politics. In economics they practiced Taylorism and this ensured their efficiency in this field. They expanded their business and improved their GDP. The improved economy helped in improving the way of lives of most of the citizens. In the field of politics they managed to be efficient by improving the commission system and the city manager plan. Improved regulations also formed a major feature of this progressive movement. Theodore Roosevelt and trust busting formed the most improvement in the regulation sector. Social justice influenced the progressive movement positively. Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) ensured social justice in the United State of America while anti-Saloon League also made it possible to attain social justice (Boyer, 629).
Theodore Roosevelt is an iconic figure in enabling the United States of America to move from grassroots to Whitehouse. He is also known as progressive president. He advocated for regulation and not revolution. He made the square deal that focused on regulation. He also made a deal between the United State and the Northern Securities Company in 1904. The deal was to strengthen the regulations that were already put in place. He arbitrated between the big capital and big labor during the coal strike in 1902. He was able to end the strike and bring back the state in a stable economy. Some regulations were then strengthened and others made to govern the coal industry. He managed to expand regulations in the following ways and act; he formed the department of commerce and labor in 1903. The Elkins act was also put in place in 1903. The Hepburn act was put in place in 1906. The meat inspection act also came to be in 1906. All meats had to be inspected at the slaughter houses and butcher to ensure that the consumed meat was of good quality. The Pure Food and Drug act come into existence in 1906. This was to ensure proper drugs are used in the field of medicine. He also advocated for proper use and management of natural resources. Roosevelt had a diplomat that ‘spoke softly but carry a big stick’ (Pugh, 59). He was able to come up with the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary. He made the United States to be a policy statement.
Woodrow Wilson’s (1913-1917) first presidential administration marked the high point of Progressivism. Progressive reforms during his presidency led to talks that touched on child labor, banking, business regulation, income taxes, and prohibition. Managing these issues was fundamental for the progressive growth. The Progressive demand for more official involvement in reform often led to an increase in the federal government’s power. This meant that most of the people in the United States got represented in the federal government. According to the above discussion, it comes out succinctly that race relations were a key blind spot of Progressive reform. A race relation is the key factor that hindered the progressive movement for the longest time.
Work cited
Boyer, Paul S. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
Pugh, Shannon M. Taks Texas High School Social Studies Exit Exam. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2007. Print.
