The Progressive Movement in the US

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In the first article, The Failure of Progressivism by Richard Abrams, he says the progressives mostly sought to introduce old moral beliefs on Americans by trying to integrate Immigrants by making them accept the ways of American life. But Abrams states those goals were ruined for important motives. One being the movement failed because of racism, which was widespread, throughout this time era. Abrams also considers the new scientific developments concerning culture and race affected the movement in a relevant manner. Conversely, progressives thought differently and felt that they need to integrate all cultures to fit it in to the American lifestyle. Abrams goes on to say that people started coming to the conclusion that “cultural diversity might yet be the salvation of the liberal society.” Furthermore, Abrams gives us examples to prove why the progressive era was unsuccessful. Such as the hysteria in America at the end of President Wilson’s term, the expensive living cost, and how the reforms were not satisfying the needs of people. Additionally, Abrams remarks how there were many reforms passed and none of which were “impressive.” For all of the passed reform legislations, Abrams responds with a reasonable reason for its failure. Abrams also says the progressives “hostility to labor unions defeated their own objectives” which was sharing the nation’s wealth with its workers and balancing corporation power. As the progressive era came to its end, the distribution of advantages in society had no noteworthy change. Abrams concludes the final punch to the progressive era was “the futility of intervention measured by the expectation of progressives” during World War I and overall how it did nothing for us.

Although Abrams thi...

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...very facet of public life in the United States." The progressive era initiated a new political procedure with election and nominations, as well as ways to improve the power of big corporations. Link and McCormick conclude that the progressive movement did superb in addressing problems in our nation (socially, economically, and politically) although their efforts were unsuccessful in solving the many problems we were face with at that time.

Although Abrams makes good points on why the progressive movement was a failure, I agree with Link and McCormick that at the end we were able to take away from their failure. Link’s and McCormick’s claim was similar to Abrams the only difference that the failures to them were victories. At least the progressives tried to do something about the problem that the nation was faced with instead of just letting it go all chaotic.

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