As a result of industrialization, there was an abundance of unemployment and labor unrest, a wasteful use of natural resources, and abuses of corporate power. In a relatively short time span, America transformed from a homogeneous, rural people made up of independent farmers to an industrialized, melting pot of many diverse et

William Taft, Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary of war, was chosen by T. Roosevelt to be his successor. Taft continued T. Roosevelt’s Progressive policies. He was an even better trustbuster with 90 suits against companies accused of illegal restraints of trade. During Taft’s administration, the Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 gave the Interstate Commerce Commission the power to suspend new railroad rates and oversee telephone, telegraph, and cable companies. In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment was passed. It authorized the United States government to collect an income tax. The Progressives liked it at first because it was directed toward only the very wealthy. The income tax is still in existence today. The Progressives in the Republican Party were not impressed with Taft’s achievements and accused him of betraying their cause and joining the conservative wing of the party. The Seventeenth Amendment was passed in 1913, allowing direct election of Senators. In the next election of president, Woodrow Wilson won.

The contributions of the middle class to the Progressive movement were great. The Progressives were mostly made up of middle class citizens. “As the middle class expanded, so did adherents of the Progressive movement. The old, traditional middle class (doctors, lawyers, teachers) added a new element from rising industry. As technicians, clerks, managers, and engineers became part of the middle class, they became Progressives.” (1). Progressives were made up of mostly the middle class of U.S. cities. Most of them wanted to apply the principles of their professions to societal problems. Two of the major concerns that the middle class had were the monopolies, and the large gap between the rich and the poor. As the years progressed, the middle class was rather successful in achieving the majority of their goals with the assistance of successful leaders and other sources of aid.

hnicities. The whole mentality of the Progressive Era, despite the diversity within the different groups, was the common interest of improving life in the industrial age. The Progressives wanted to build on the existing society. With the exclusion of this common goal, the Progressives couldn’t agree on the ills of society, and therefore, were never completely united.

Some topics in this essay:
Progressive Era, Frank Norris, American History, John Dewey, Roosevelt Progressive, Roosevelt Presidency, Taylor Taylor, Trade Commission, Theodore Roosevelt, Duke Rockefeller, middle class, progressive movement, theodore roosevelt, presidential leadership, middle class muckrakers, scientific management, progressive era, woodrow wilson, united government, class muckrakers, income tax, influence united government, muckrakers philosophy pragmatism, philosophy pragmatism scientific, class muckrakers philosophy,