The reform movements during the Progressive Era were in many ways an attempt to bring a rational, scientific approach to the problems of society. The belief of many reformers was that science, technology, and a rational approach to government could improve the conditions in which people worked and lived.

Many of the reformers were college-educated, including many women who put their education to use in reforming social problems and developing the new field of social work. This field used scientific methods to try to reform social problems. Other academic fields developed and became more scientific during this time, including economics and business. The administration of business became a scientific discipline with college and graduate schools attached to it. In addition, the study of political science became an academic field. No longer were business and politics left only to practitioners; instead, academics played an important role in studying these fields and attempting to regulate them. The Progressive Era was essentially rational in its approach to regulating and reforming society and to solving problems that were at times emotional in nature, including alcoholism, poverty, and family dysfunction.

How did rational and emotional thinking impact the Progressive Era?

Both emotional and rational thinking impacted the Progressive Era. Emotions played a part in getting legislation passed to improve conditions in the United States. When people read Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle, they believed changes needed to be made. People were getting sick and dying from the terrible, unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking plants. When people heard that companies were falsely labeling food and medicine to get higher prices, they demanded that changes be made. The Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act were passed in response to these situations. People were also moved by images and stories of children working in factories for long hours at low pay, which prevented them from being educated. This led to the passage of child labor laws. These emotional issues led to changes in the United States.

Rational thinking also played a role in bringing about change. Corruption in politics led to the changes in how United States Senators were chosen. The 17th Amendment called for the direct election of US senators by the citizens of the country. The initiative, referendum, and recall also gave average people more control over their elected leaders and the legislative process. People realized that it was unfair for businesses to treat customers differently. This led to the passage of the Hepburn Act, which allowed the government to set railroad rates, and the development of government agencies such as the Bureau of Corporations, which allowed the government to investigate businesses if necessary. When business leaders acted in their own interests at the expense of the public’s interests, the government realized action was needed. When the Coal Strike of 1902 threatened the availability of coal as winter approached, President Roosevelt stepped in to help facilitate a settlement. This action indicated the government would be an honest broker when powerful interests abused their power.

Rational thinking and emotional reactions to terrible situations drove the many actions that occurred during the Progressive Era.