The Progressive Movement was a period of reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s. This movement was driven by a desire to improve the lives of the people who were living in the country, particularly those in the working and middle classes. It was a response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the United States, which caused a range of social, economic, and political issues. The progressive movement sought to address these issues by advocating for greater government regulation of businesses and promoting fairness and equality. Along with putting an end to child labor, improving working conditions, and introducing social welfare programs, the Progressive Movement was the impetus for the United States’ entry into World War I
The Progressive Movement was led by a variety of individuals and organizations, all of whom had their own motivations and goals. Some, such as the American Federation of Labor and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, sought to improve working conditions and provide better opportunities for their members. Others, such as the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League, advocated for the end of alcohol consumption and the protection of women and children (Fondren 19-20). Yet other organizations, such as the National Consumers League and the National Child Labor Committee, sought to protect consumers from unfair business practices and to end child labor.
It is important to state that the success of the progressive movement depended on the ability of its members to organize and work together to achieve their goals. They were successful in lobbying for the passage of a variety of laws and regulations, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act, and the Clayton Antitrust Act. These laws were generated to protect the public from unlawful business practices and to ensure the safety of products and the rights of workers.
One should note that the progressive movement was also instrumental in the United States’ entry into World War I. At the time, the United States was largely isolationist in its foreign policy, and many of its citizens opposed involvement in the war. Although many of the settlement workers met war as a shock, they “were too committed to action” to avoid it (Davis 219). Hence, they started dedicating their efforts not only to domestic reforms but also to international affairs (Davis 218-219). The progressive movement recognized the importance of the war and the need to protect American allies, and they worked to convince the public and Congress of the necessity of American involvement. This effort was successful, and in April 1917, Congress declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of the United States’ involvement in World War I.
The motivations of the progressive movement were complex and varied, but they all sought to improve the lives of the people of the United States. By advocating for greater government regulation of businesses, an end to child labor, improved working conditions, and the introduction of social welfare programs, the progressive movement helped to make the country a fairer and more equitable place for all its citizens. Furthermore, it is possible to conclude that by pushing for the United States’ involvement in World War I, the movement helped to ensure a victory for the Allies and ultimately, a better world for everyone.
Works Cited
Davis, Allen Freeman. Spearheads for Reform: The Social Settlements and the Progressive Movement, 1890 to 1914. Rutgers University Press, 1985.
Fondren, Michael. The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union on Local, State, and Federal Government: An Arkansas Case Study, 1879-1984. 2018. Master’s Thesis. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.