Progressivism In The Progressive Movement

Theodore Roosevelt, the founder of the Progressive party, once stated, “A great democracy has got to be progressive or it will soon cease to be great or a democracy”
(Ranger). “Progressives believed, as their name implies, in the idea of progress” (Brinkley 477). Progressivism developed as a political party when both Democrats and Republicans became frustrated with their own political parties. The Progressive Era was the period in history from 1890 – 1920 centralized around the ideals of reforming social, political, economic and environmental issues within the United States. “The Progressive Movement was led by male and female Progressives from all walks of society including: members of the Republican and Democrat political parties, well educated

Abrams, a known disputer, even admits the Progressives made great strides. He states, “Progressivism indeed had real, lasting effects for the blunting of the sharper edges of the self-interest in American life, and for the reduction of the harsher cruelties suffered by the society’s underprivileged” (Madaras, SoRelle

The Bull Moose Party considers this a huge success as the end of woman’s suffrage achieved the original goals of the progressives. Progress was made and steps towards equality were taken. The 17th amendment improved democracy as well; voters were now allowed to elect senators directly. These amendments idealized what progressivism was. The Progressives accomplished many of their initial goals and enacted numerous acts and several amendments. Progressives fought for a more democratic and equal society, yet there were still leaders of the Progressive parties who were white supremacists. Did they achieve every goal they initially wanted to? No, due to the wide span of politicians and citizens who made up the progressive party there were very few uniform goals. The Bull Moose Party did achieve the goal to make “progress” but not all progress made was beneficial. “Intended reforms did not necessarily produce the desired results” (Madaras, SoRelle 136). There were amendments like the 18th amendment that were only enacted for a few years before being abolished. Muckrakers were extremely successful in uprooting and exposing political corruption. “Progressives were the first group to confront the problems of modern America” (Madaras, SoRelle 136). The Progressive party had too many goals to be able to accomplish and tackle all the corruption created during the Gilded Age. Did they succeed in making