The Progressive Era

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Student Question

What did the Progressives fight for during the Progressive Era?

Quick answer:

During the Progressive Era, Progressives fought for significant reforms to address wealth inequality and political corruption. Key objectives included regulating big business to curb the "big business" mentality, reforming the political system to reduce the influence of the wealthy and powerful, and implementing worker-friendly policies such as fair tariffs and income tax reform. These efforts aimed to create a more equitable and just society in response to the challenges of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Expert Answers

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As with any multiple choice question, I think that you should consider consulting your course readings or your textbook to make sure that what is being asked can be validated and verified in class materials.  With this in mind, I think that the answer is all of the above, or letter "D."  Each of the three options are fairly similar in scope and sequence, encompassing similar political agenda elements.  In this, the Progressive Movement originates.  Indeed, Progressivism emerges from the massive wealth inequality that gripped America towards the end of the 19th Century and into the start of the 20th Century.  For the Progressive thinkers, the regulation of big business and reforming the "big business" mentality is of vital importance, making the first option very viable.  The political "evils" of the Gilded Age in terms of reforming the political system that seemed to embolden the wealthy and politically powerful was another element that Progressives fought for, along with the desire to create a consistent and worker- friendly policy on tariffs along with income tax reform.  In this, the third and second options are acceptable, making all of the above a strong answer to this question.

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