The Progressive Era in the US brought political and social changes unheard of in government before that time. Write an analysis of the influence and...

The Progressive era
corresponded with a growth in the middle class, in part because of mid-level managerial jobs in
new industries. The growing middle class changed the political and economic culture of the US,
as it created a market for goods and created a political force of people who were from this
class. In addition, middle-class college-educated women gave rise to many of the Progressive
reformers, such as Jane Addams of Hull House.

Progressivism took place at the
same time as massive urbanization or the growth of cities. These were areas in which people
required services such as fire control, and these services were at first provided by corrupt
city bosses, such as Boss Tweed in New York. Progressivism aimed to clean up city governments.
The movement also relied on the court system to carry out reforms. An example was the
Munn v. Illinois case of 1877, in which the Supreme Court ruled that state
governments can regulate private industries, such as railroads. These cases helped reform
business practices and curb the power of monopolies, to the benefit of groups such as
farmers.

Progressivism was in many ways a reaction against the power of
individualism and to the idea that powerful individuals such as robber barons should control so
much of the economic pie. Therefore, the movement attempted to curb the power of individuals in
favor of a communal ethic that benefited the society as a whole.