How Did The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Progressivism

Progressivism began as a reform movement in response to the speedy growing industrialization of America in the early twentieth century. Many of the progressives were against the philosophy of Social Darwinism, and sought to reform the countries problems using government influence. Progressives believed reform could fix social problems and not just have to suffer, waiting for nature to take its course. There were many strengths and weaknesses to progressivism during the early twentieth century.
Progressivism created much needed reform, and “political reformers focused on four main goals: cleaning up politics, limiting the power of big business, reducing poverty, and promoting social justice” (Henretta 579). Progressives launched their reform at the State and National level to pass legislature
Progressives at the State level “advocated worker's compensation, child labor laws, minimum wage and maximum hours legislation (especially for women workers), and widows' pensions” (Lagasse). They were able to gain momentum at the State level, and at the National level they showed their true strength by influencing the passing of several bills in an attempt to bring America out of the slums industrialization was creating. “Congress passed two bills regulating railroads, the Elkins Act (1903) and the Hepburn Act (1906). The Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act were passed (1906) to eliminate the worst practices of the food industry. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 reformed the currency system; the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) extended government regulation