An Analysis of the Populist and Progressive Era
analytical Essay
1671 words
In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circlue of our felicities.” (Jefferson, 1801) This idea echoed far beyond it’s time and into the minds and hearts of the Populist’s, and became the center and the driving force of the Progressive era. During the gilded age railroads were being built, Industrialization was rising, the population of United States was increasing dramatically; and corporate businesses were becoming extremely powerful. The gilded age was known for its corruption and business domination, it wasn’t until the Populist movement when people started to fight back and also not until the Progressive movement when people started changing the government system. During the nineteenth and twentieth century monopolizing corporations reigned over territories, natural resources, and material goods. They dominated banks, railroads, factories, mills, steel, and politics. With companies and industrial giants like Andrew Carnegies’ Steel Company, John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company and J.P. Morgan in which he reigned over banks and financing. Carnegie and Rockefeller both used vertical integration meaning they owned everything from the natural resources (mines/oil rigs), transportation of those goods (railroads), making of those goods (factories/mills), and the selling of those goods (stores). This ultimately led to monopolizing of corporations. Although provided vast amount of jobs and goods, also provided ba... ... middle of paper ... ...hey lacked the followers that would enable them to push their ideas further, so in the end the Populists slowly died out but the ideas remained which became a driving force during the progressive era. The Populists can be seen as the stepping stone which it gathered and helped people to realize that a change was needed, without this would the progressive era still have the drive that brought people together? Bibliography Bryan, J. W. (1896). Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses . Foner, E. (2010). The People Party. In E. Foner, Give me Liberty! An American History (pp. 680-682). Canada: W.W Norton & Company, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110. Jefferson, T. ( 1801, March 4). Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address. Retrieved 2008, from The Avalon Project at Yale Law School: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/jefinau1.asp
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the idea of a wise and frugal government echoed beyond its time and into the minds and hearts of the populists.
- Explains how monopolizing corporations reigned over territories, natural resources, and material goods during the nineteenth and twentieth century.
- Explains that farmers had to pay high tariff prices, costly goods, low profits, and price cuts to 4.6 cents a pound, leading to the populist movement.
- Explains that the populist party appealed to whites, blacks and women. they also supported women's civil liberties.
- Explains that the omaha convention was a long list of proposals, including direct election of u.s. senators, government control of the currency, graduated tax income, low-cost public financing to enable farmers to market their crops, and recognition of workers' right to form labor unions.
- Analyzes how the populists voted for william jennings bryan, who supported the idea of free silver and sided with gold as a "true honest currency."
- Describes how the progressive movement began to form in the 1900's due to the triangle shirtwaist company fire.
- Explains that the era was a stepping stone for women as stereotypic views and roles of women were changing. women made up for it by getting involved in politics and forming women activist organizations.
- Explains that president theodore roosevelt was a progressive president, regulating big businesses with the sherman antitrust act and the pure food and drug act. he also created yellowstone national park.
- Explains that taft was the last progressive president to hold office during this time period. he passed the underwood tariff, the clayton act, and the federal reserve system.
- Explains that progressives had a huge advantage over farmers by establishing strong government to regulate large corporations and protect the rights of "average" people.
- Cites bryan’s “cross of gold” speech: mesmerizing the masses. foner, e. (2010). the people party.
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- The Progressive Era and Movementexplanatory essayDuring the Progressive Era, occurring from 1890 until 1920, progressives attempted to make many changes at a national level and were characterized by support for economic, social, and political reforms. By realizing the rapid industrial growth, poor class, and immigration, progressive’s goals were to relieve these issues and create laws that gave the common people more power. Progressive reformers gave significance to issues of black rights and also to women suffrage, however these issues had proved to be forgotten by Woodrow Wilson, whom of which was the president during this time. Although the reformers were not successful with these two issues, they seemed to be successful in improving much of the other negativity that had occurred during this era including the working conditions of the meat industry, child labor laws, and by changing the competition from large companies. In the end, all of these proved that the reformers turned out to be very successful in bringing reform to a national level. Along with these issues that the progressives tried to stop competition, they also fought many groups that tried to eliminate social classes along the way. Progressives were able to be successful in restoring economic competition, making the government more efficient, and stemming the tide of socialism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that progressives were successful in restoring economic competition, making the government more efficient, and stemming the tide of socialism.
- Explains that progressives were mostly muckrakers who wrote of the slums and labor abuse children were facing. by ending the power of big companies, they hoped to restore economic competition.
- Explains that progressives worked hard to make government more efficient by allowing for the senator to be elected by majority vote. roosevelt used this as a base for his campaign.
- Explains that progressives sought to stem the tide of socialism by restoring economic competition and making government more efficient.
956 wordsRead More - Comparing the Approaches of the Progressive and Populist Movementscomparative essayPopulism vs. Progressivism Essay During the late 19th century and early 20th century the progressive movement and populist movement were groups and organizations getting together to resolve social, economic, and political problems occurring in the United States. Both movements had different approaches to what was more important and how to deal with problems. Progressivism was mainly for the betterment of cities while populism is for agrarian section of farmers. First of all there were social failures and successes between the populist and the progressive.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the progressive movement and populist movement in the late 19th and early 20th century. progressivism was mainly for the betterment of cities while populism is for agrarian section of farmers.
- Compares the social failures and successes of the populist and progressive movements. progressives succeeded to balance the influence of wealth and power.
- Explains that the populists were victims of economic distress and their arguments were founded on the basis of progressive movements.
- Explains how the progressives tried to solve the political problems that industrialization and urbanization were causing. they supported railroad legislation, conservation movement, and food and drug laws.
- Explains that the populists created a farmers' alliance that organized low cost insurance for farmers and put banks in place with regulations. the grangers lobbied for regulation of the industry.
- Explains that the progressive reformers decided to end business monopolies as they had too much centralized power.
- Explains how the national grange was founded by oliver kelley to save money. they strained state legislatures to maintain the railroad and grain storage costs to be reasonable.
- Concludes that both the populist and the progressive movement had different approaches to how they would regulate the social, economic, and political balance.
903 wordsRead More - The Progressive Eraexplanatory essayIndustrialization led to the rise of big businesses at the expense of the worker. Factory laborers faced long hours, low wages, and unsanitary conditions. The large corporations protected themselves by allying with political parties. The parties, in turn, were controlled by party leaders, rather than by the members. Many people felt that all power rested with the politicians and businessmen. Reformers known as Progressives attempted to undo the problems caused by industrialization. The Progressive movement sought to end the influence of large corporations, provide more rights and benefits to workers, and end the control possessed by party leaders. At the national level, Progressivism centered on defeating the power of large businesses. The Progressive Era was a period in American history in which improving working conditions, exposing corruption, improving the way of life, expanding democracy, and making reforms were the objectives at hand. With the emergence of the Progressive Era two important figures gradually emerged as well. One of the mentioned figures, President Theodore Roosevelt, succeeded to the Presidency when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, helped the Progressive movement greatly. Another figure, although a Democrat is Woodrow Wilson who much like Roosevelt still pushed for progressive reforms. Each of the mentioned figures did their share in re-establishing a “fair” government that would work for the people and not for the large corporations and mon...
In this essay, the author
- Describes the progressive era as a period in american history in which improving working conditions, exposing corruption, improving the way of life, expanding democracy, and making reforms were the objectives.
- Explains that roosevelt, the most dominant personality of the progressive era, targeted monopolistic business practices for reform. he supported labor in the anthracite coal strike of 1902 and enforced the hepburn act.
- States that woodrow wilson, the scholarly governor of new jersey, called for moral revival and reform, including low tariffs, breaking up of all monopolies, and for the government to be an umpire in disputes between labor and business.
- Opines that the progressive era was a movement of passion in which the most important figures truly fought for its people. the movement lost steam as americans became more interested in international affairs.
785 wordsRead More - The Populists and Progressivesanalytical essayDuring the late 19th and early 20th century both the Populist Party and Progressive movement wanted to preserve some things, while also addressing the need for reform. Although many of the ideas and goals of these “Third parties” were initially not legislated and considered far-fetched, many of these ideas later became fundamental laws throughout American history. The Populists and Progressives were both grass roots movements, and addressed the needs of the poor and powerless, for the Populists it was farmers and for the Progressives it was urban lower and middle class workers. These two movements attempted to bring the powerless peoples issues to national politics. The Populists and Progressives wanted to preserve some American ideals of the past, such as a sense of community and the ability for farmers and workers to live happily without economic strains. Populists were more oriented to the plight of the farmer while the Progressives included women's rights, and protection of the consumer and labor.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that both the populist party and progressive movement wanted to preserve american ideals of the past, such as a sense of community and the ability for farmers to live happily without economic strains.
- Explains that the populist movement was established in 1891. it grew from the agrarian sector of the economy and was mostly based among white farmers.
- Opines that free silver coinage would create inflation and help farmers who were in a financial puddle. farmers wanted railroads owned by the government so they wouldn't be charged ridiculous rates.
- Analyzes how the populists faced white supremacy in the south by forming coalitions with black farmers. tom watson led a revolt against the democratic party and appealed to the black rural voters.
- Explains that the populists wanted to preserve a reasonable income to the farmers, and the once flourishing agricultural sector of the economy.
- Explains that the progressive movement was from 1890 - 1920, it sprouted from previous reform eras in american history, including the populists.
- Explains that the progressive movement wanted to return a sense of power to the working man and end the flourishing thought that america was transforming from its democratic roots that had an emphasis on agriculture, into an oligarchy run by the capitalists.
- Analyzes how the progressives reform emphasized regulating large corporations and trusts who were controlling more and more of the country's finances.
- Explains that the progressive movements reform caused the anthracite coal strike. roosevelt sided with the workers and limited their hours of work, while also giving them an increase in wages.
- Explains that the progressive era emphasized the "new feminism" and created reform associations such as the women's christian temperance union, women’s trade union league, and the national consumers league.
- Explains that the progressive reform movement in 1906 pushed for the pure food and drug act, which was signed by president roosevelt and was the first of many consumer protection laws instituted by the federal government.
- Explains that the populist party and progressive movement wanted to preserve some things while also addressing the need for reform. although many of the ideas and goals of these "third parties" were initially not legislated and considered far-fetched, they later became fundamental laws throughout american history.
1147 wordsRead More - The Populist and Progressive Movementscomparative essayThe Populist and Progressive Movements The Populists and Progressive were form of movement that occurred during the outbreaks of the workers union after the civil war. The populists began during the late 1800s. The progressive began during the 1900s. There are many differences between these two movements, but yet these movements have many things that are similar. Farmers united to protect their interests, even creating a major political party.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the differences between the populist and progressive movements. farmers united to protect their interests, creating a major political party.
- Explains that progressivism began in the early 1900s. it had roots in several earlier movements such as the liberal republican and the mugwumps.
- Explains that the populist and progressives had many similarities. they fought for the eight-hour work day.
- Concludes that the populist and progressives had differences, but they also have similarities. they had different ideas but were fighting for the same things.
526 wordsRead More - The Progressive Eraexplanatory essayAmerican society was transformed in the 20th century by the economical and social changes stemming from the industrial and urban boom. Many of these transformations included innovations in science, technology, mass communication and transit. This heavily impacted the standard of health and living conditions of many workers in the cities. This transformation would bring about a movement known as “progressivism”. Progressivism is basically a label for a group of individuals, mostly urban college-educated middle class supporters, who demanded reform from the government and businesses to improve working conditions, eliminate health hazards and give the public more control in the government. This movement was brought about in response to the monumental changes due to modernization, the large growth of corporations and railroads and the fear of corruption in American politics.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that american society was transformed in the 20th century by the economic and social changes stemming from the industrial and urban boom.
- Describes how the "muckrakers" reported the atrocities that were occurring in the nation at the time. writers like frank norris, john spargo, and mcclure's magazine documented the corruption in business and government.
- Explains that progressivism proponents fought for reform in politics and government by demanding checks and balances that would allow for initiative, referendum and recall by the people.
- Explains how workers were forced to work long hours in hazardous conditions, and how the railroad regulatory commission and senator robert f. wagner made employers liable for hazards.
- Explains that as corporations and factories grew, so did the population, which caused new problems. many reformers, like architect daniel burnham, led efforts to beautify cities by proposing parks, streetlights, opposing bill boards and overhead electrical wires.
- Explains how progressive reform reignited the women's suffrage movement, bringing playgrounds, nurseries, and ending child labor.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the president of the united states delivers his inaugural address with a message of hope and addresses national issues.
- Explains that president hayes had concerns about the pacification of the country. he advocated securing the protection of all citizens and all their constitutional rights.
- Explains that president hayes' election to the presidency was one of the most controversial in american history. he took the oath in the white house, removed federal troops from louisiana and south carolina.
- Analyzes how president garfield declared that the nation's laws should not be subject to debate. he proclaimed the constitution as the supreme law and acknowledged that his decree did not interfere with states' autonomy and the rights of local governments.
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- Analyzes how president grover cleveland emphasized that the us government was still the government of the people.
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- Narrates how he helped shape the new american foreign policy. he submitted a treaty for the annexation of hawaii, appropriation bills for improvements, expansion of the navy, and subsidies for steamship lines.
- Analyzes how president grover cleveland declared that all americans should contemplate the growth and expansion of the country.
- Narrates how president cleveland confronted depression during his second term. he was dealing with the treasury crisis, not unemployment, business failures, or farm mortgage foreclosures.
- Analyzes president mckinley's first inaugural address, stating that the financial system needed revision, international bimetallism was his endeavor to secure it by cooperating with international commercial powers.
- Describes how president mckinley enacted the highest tariff in history during the depression of 1893. he was unable to restrain congress or the american public.
- Explains that the inaugural addresses from president hayes to president mckinley conveyed a similar message during the gilded age: civil service reform, economic prosperity, and constitutional guarantees to all citizens.
- Cites rutherford b. hayes, "inaugural address: monday, march 5, 1877," the biography channel website.
- Cites whitehouse.gov., "james garfield," presidents, and grover cleveland.
- Cites whitehouse.gov., "benjamin harrison," presidents, and grover cleveland.
1875 wordsRead More - The Progressives Theodore Roosevelt once said, “A great democracy has got to be progressive or it will soon cease to be great or a democracy.” (“Quotes About Progressivism”). Multiple historians have different interpretations of the social origins of the progressive reform movement. Historians like George Mowry, Joseph Huthmacher, and Robert H. Wiebe all talk about what they think progressivism was. George Mowry has his own viewpoint on what progressivism is.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that multiple historians have different interpretations of the social origins, like george mowry, joseph huthmacher, and robert h. wiebe.
- Explains that george mowry's view of progressivism is that the progressive movement was composed of middle class reformers who had a college education.
- Analyzes joseph huthmacher's interpretation of what the progressive movement was all about. he says that the lower class workers contributed a lot of the support for the reform legislation.
- Explains that the lower class sought a progressive movement that united people, and was more realistic than that of the middle class, according to huthmacher.
- Analyzes how robert h. wiebe explains that the progressive movement was led by people of a new middle class who were eager to bring order to the world.
- Opines that george mowry is the most credible historian out of the three, and provided the greatest evidence for what the progressive movement was.
- Explains that george mowry, joseph huthmacher, and robert h. wiebe provide compelling information on what the progressive movement was.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that drawing a fair and balanced line would be futile since it would distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable use of first amendment rights.
- Analyzes how the government can manipulate the definition of 'hateful speech' and extend it to other speech that opposes it, such as sharply worded satire.
- Analyzes how a restriction on hate speech, if left unopposed, could be utilized to punish people who merely utilize their first amendment rights.
- Argues that suppression of hate speech does not solve the problem of inequality in society.
- Opines that americans should stand up to hate speech, not through suppression, but through logical exchanges. everyone has a right to free speech.
- Explains hate speech law & legal definition. n.p., n.d.
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- Analyzes how dao, james, and rauch (brookings), jonathan, argue against hate-speech laws. jefferson, thomas. "first inaugural address in washington, d.c."
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that in the united states, there are two parties and ideologies attached to them: the democrats represent the left and the republicans the right. frank argues that there is a backlash mentality driving people to vote against liberal elites
- Opines that there is an element of truth to what frank describes as the "great backlash," but certain trends are likely to remain the same.
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- Analyzes the correlation between populism and anti-establishment rhetoric in kansas, and america at large.
1097 wordsRead More