To fully grasp the cause of the Populist and Progressive

The Progressive Era (1895-1920) was brought on as a response to the rapid industrialization, urbanization, and immigration introduced into American society upon the turn of the century. The U.S. Industrial Revolution resulted in the rapid development of manufacturing technology, the growth of industrial capital investment, and the expansive growth of the industrialism work force. This rise in industry, big business, and work force resulted in formation of labor unions consisting of working class citizens attempting to protect their own interests; resulting in rise of conflict between labor and management. A rise in immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe and Asia diversified the American population, and instilled racial and ethnic prejudice. Rise in industry and depletion of resources brought forth conservation sentiment from leaders like Theodore Roosevelt. Also, America emerged out of the 19th century as a superpower, calling for reshaping of foreign policy.

parents.” The start of the 20th century began a surge of reform movements, most significantly brought forth by the educated muckraking journalists, social workers, businessmen, child and labor reformers, and politicians with special interests all pushing for change in policy and public opinion (Fink 355). Even the candidates running for the 1912 election ran on reformist platforms. The Progressive Roosevelt, the Democrat Wilson, and the Socialist Debs had goals of reform. American sentiment tended to be geared toward destruction of monopolies and trusts, change in immigration policy, and granting of women’s suffrage, and an approving attitude toward government influence in social realms (Fink 325). Progressive reformers exposed corruption, revitalized political institutions, regulated industry and commerce, attempted to cure social ills, extended political rights, and protected natural resources. Many traditionalists pushed toward regaining Protestant character of the past, seen in the scorn of alcohol and denial of Darwinism. Also, the exploitation of natural resources for private gains resulted in conservationists calling for federal supervision of nations resources and the preservation of environment for the future generations.

movements one must first gain an understanding of the changing social, economic, and political arenas in America. In the years following the Civil War, the U.S. began to rapidly industrialize, in turn c

Some topics in this essay:
John Hicks, Civil War, Socialist Debs, Roosevelt America, Lawrence Goodwyn, , South Holmes, Farmers Alliance, Western Hemisphere, People’s Party, farmers alliance, crop lien system, lien system, crop lien, 20th century, populist movement, people’s party, brought forth, 19th century, natural resources, free coinage, free coinage silver,