The Role Of The Federal Government During The Gilded Age

The Progressive Era was known for the social, political, and economic drawbacks, mostly caused by the corrupt federal government, starting in the early 19th century throughout the 20th century. These complications called for ethical reforms and amendments, focusing on decreasing graduated income tax (16th amendment), Women’s Suffrage (19th amendment), and indirect/direct election for senators (17th amendment). Progressives sought to outcast and remove the immoral values of the federal government, which has caused the citizens of the US to view the government as untrustworthy, due to the lack of communication with the citizens, and also lack of safeguarding humanity. Progressive reformers also fought to adjust and manage unethical business procedures,

The Progressive Era was a time for the United States society to fix the problems of government, living conditions, and trusts that were brought on by the Gilded Age. President Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson stepped up in hopes to correctly fix the evils of society. There are a variety of different plans that were discussed in order to properly satisfy American’s and work towards limiting problems during the Gilded Age such as child labor and assimilation. These two reformers first addressed these issues through working to eliminate bad trust, strengthen unions, improve poor living and working conditions, and control corruption in government. The Federal Government worked towards fixing the issues of prostitution, alcoholism, and gambling.

Ultimately, the progressive movement was instrumental in altering the domestic and foreign policies of the burgeoning United States in a time were much corruption and instability existed due to the unprecedented massive spread of industrialism and all the social and economic complications it brought with it. The progressive era as a whole established what would become known as direct democracy, and established reforms that are still in use to this day, which are various forms of initiative, referendum, and recall. These reforms are now considered staples of progressiveness. Many Progressives believed that state legislatures were large contributing factors to the disparity of power and wealth in the nation and that they favored the interests

20182600 During the 1800’s the US went through government changes. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved, in 1777 the Articles of Confederation were adopted, and in 1787 the Constitution was signed. With each new change America improved more, but problems still occurred. America was gaining immigrants which was forcing Americans westward towards the Indians which caused tension issues among the immigrants and the natives.

From the Gilded Age to World War 1, while Republicans and Democrats held different economic positions on tariffs and economic monetary systems, their responses to the challenges of economic inequality and incorporation of Populist ideas allowed them to share in the idea of an expanded, activist, socially conscious government. During the Gilded Age, while both the Republican and Democratic parties nationally came under the control of powerful political managers with close ties to business interests, their economic policies surprisingly differed on the subject of tariffs. Despite their close links to New York bankers and financiers, Democrats of the Gilded Age opposed high tariffs, while Republicans strongly supported them to protect American

The Progressive Era was a period full of political reform and social activism. One major characteristic of this era was the call for higher efficiency in government. Reformers attacked inefficiency in government, which led to the government reorganizing agencies to eliminate redundancy. This era was also marked by a graduated federal income tax, a new national banking system and a governmental attempt to conserve natural resources. During the Progressive Era, there was a large call for social reform including: prohibition, the right to vote for women, child labor laws and an eight hour work day.

This shows that the concept of checks and balances could be used to keep the national government in line and not get out of control. There were federalist who supported a strong central government and then there were others. The anti-federalists thought the power should go to the people. The American society did not have a large amount of change in the economic field.

Many economic and social changes transformed American society in the 20th century, including innovations in science and technology, and economic productivity. In turn people believed that the government should create political, social, and moral reforms to regulate big business and the other colonial problems. The progressive movement was caused by a renewed interest in social issues and the revival of the ideals on which America was founded. Big businessmen had created empires of wealth, owning vast majorities of businesses. This only allowed enough space for the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer, but the Progressive Era brought dramatic changes to the nation’s economic, and political sectors.

Heavily influenced by increasing industrial production and the continued expansion of the consumer marketplace, this era was a “period of explosive economic growth” and population explosion.4 The majority of American society voted with the political mindset than the best government would always be the best government, and this would not change until news of modern government corruption became commonplace. The very act of informing the public about the government and their actions was a very modern concept, as the Founding Fathers themselves were against the idea of allowing “ordinary citizens” the privilege of becoming involved with political affairs, lest there be corruption or nepotism of any sort. Conversely, Progressives believed that it was the constitutional right of the public as citizens of the United States of America to be informed of anything and everything regarding politics and policies that might affect them in any way. The following is a passage from Give Me Liberty! Brief that accurately and eloquently describes the overarching goal that Progressives of the era sought to

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, America faced a range of social, political, and economic problems that threatened the nation's well-being. Corruption, inadequate living conditions, and worker exploitation were among the issues the Progressive Era attempted to solve. The Progressives aimed to reform American society through legal and social means. They sought to make politics more democratic, reform economic practices, and enhance social welfare to ensure a fairer society. Three major problems during this time were corrupt politics, poor living conditions, and worker exploitation.

The Progressive Era from the 1890s to 1920s was a period that experienced extensive social activism and political reforms across the United States. This movement was spurred by the heightened level of corruption and injustice of large corporations and in government at that time. The movement primarily comprised of “liberals who wanted to reform and regulate their capitalist society and not destroy it. " There were several pushes to make the political process more open and transparent. One of which was the adaptation of the direct primary elections and to grant the Presidents more powers to regulate new laws.

The Gilded Age brought about the Populist movement which occurred because the poor people of America wanted a chance at economic wealth. The first populist movement occurred in 1867 when the “Grange” or “Patrons of Husbandry” farmer’s union called for regulation of railroad shipping rates instead of the “natural monopoly” that was occurring at the time. The Interstate Commerce Commission was created in 1887 because of the “Grange” movement. Although, railroads corporations were so wealthy they could buy around government regulations. The ICC remained ineffective until President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Progressive Era The Progressive Era was a time when America had begun a thirst for change in its government as well as its people. Politicians wanted a more modern government that searched to answer the social problems that were arising with the many new and old immigrants that no resided in the U.S. On the other hand, workers demanded more rights in the workplace and better-working conditions. Women wanted to look for new activities outside the home because a life inside a home was becoming dull to them. Progressives during this era were striving for progress in their government and were very diverse in how they obtained this change.

The Progressive Movement was a period in time that brought great changes to the United States and shifted society’s social and economic mindset. Throughout this era, a shift in the nation’s federalism structure was altered to inhibit the powers of the states and render a strong central government as the main powerhouse of the United States. Progressives used their ideas to strengthen the central government by responding to issues during that time. While some responses were miniscule, such as acts and campaigns, others were on a much larger scale, such as Amendments to the Constitution, and established new standards and practices for society. The 16th through 19th Amendments addressed the call for reform during the early 1900s by cementing the

The impulses and goals of the progressive and populist party have drastically changed the domestic policy in the United States and got the domestic policy to where it is today. The main goals of the populist party and the progressives were to establish laws and regulations that would better improve the United States society. After America went through a severe political corruption era called the Gilded Age, the populists were determined to get America politically sound. When the progressives took over in 1895 their main belief was that growth and progress could not continue recklessly under the doctrine of Social Darwinism and laissiez-faire. Progressives aspired for polices including the New Deal, the Fair deal, and Great Society.