Homework answers / question archive / Surname 1 Who Were the Progressives? The Progressives were a broad group of reformers

Surname 1 Who Were the Progressives? The Progressives were a broad group of reformers

Sociology

Share With

Surname 1 Who Were the Progressives? The Progressives were a broad group of reformers. Various Republican legislators, disgruntled Democrats, writers, scholars, health workers, and several other activists joined the Progressive movement, which created new groups and institutions with the mutual goal of enhancing the country’s government and ensuring it was more sensitive to the pressing economic, social, and democratic needs (Milkis). At a crucial point in American history, a number of the progressives saw themselves as rational reformers. They worked to change American society and governance on every aspect, mostly in the country's major cities and the metropolitan media (as well as in the management of states like New York and Wisconsin. The Progressive movement emerged as a result of these detrimental impacts of industrialization. Progressive reformers vowed to rein in private sector, advocate for better worker and consumer law, expose corporate and government fraud, and transform society in general. What was the US like during the Gilded Age? Most of all, progressives wanted to address the excessive concentration of resources among a small group, as well as the immense financial and political influence of the giant trusts, which according to them wad uncontrollable and reckless (Milkis). These mergers gave the impression that there was no equity in allocation of jobs in the United States, and that corporate capital was threatening people's ability to earn income to support their livelihood. The economic environment of the 1890s, called the "Gilded Age," were chastised by reformers as being too opulent for the wealthy and offering little hope for factory workers and local farmers. Corporate bosses, dubbed "robber barons" during the Gilded Age, took part in unethical and unfair business practices in with an aim of suppressing competition and maximizing profits. Factory employees, some of whom were recent immigrants, were routinely exposed to hazardous working and living Surname 2 conditions (Milkis). Democratic oppression helped the elite members of the society at the expense of the poor and middle class individuals, who were struggling to survive. Furthermore, many people suspected that powerful corporate interests, embodied by newly created organizations like the National Civic Federation, had enslaved and manipulated government officials and strategies for their own gain. What were their Proposals? Progressives pursued three main causes in their fight against the problems of industrialization. First, they promoted a new governing ideology that emphasized mutual obligations and duties rather than individual rights, particularly when invoked in defense of big business. Second, progressives pushed for the restoration of American politics, which had previously been controlled by localized parties, in order to create a more direct connection between state officials and public opinion, in accordance with these new values. Finally, reformers proposed that the authority of legislative bodies and Congress be subjected to an autonomous executive power that could better serve the country's interests and tackle the new government challenges necessitated by shifting economic and social factors (Milkis). Progressive reformers disagreed sharply on how to strike a balance among these three seemingly contradictory goals and how the newly proposed federal state could resolve the local and foreign problems posed by the fresh industrial order. They did, however, appear to accept that the three were the most critical challenges to fight in order to resurrect democracy. How did their Proposals Alter the United States? The Progressive age, to some extent, confirmed the Anti-Federalists' fears. However much progressivism's support for mass democracy, its attacks on political movements and Surname 3 dedication to administrative management served to distance American politics arena and authority from citizens' daily lives. Progressive reformers, on the other hand, created institutions and organizations that allowed people to face, in case they could not fix, the upcoming challenges that emerged as a result of the Industrial Revolution (Milkis). A good number of the political groups that have figured prominently in American democracy from the twentieth century—labour organizations, trade societies, and educational, civic, and spiritual movements— were established during the Progressive period Progressives enacted antitrust laws and controlled businesses like meatpacking, pharmaceuticals, and rail systems. Progressive reformers were instrumental in getting a lot on of several significant bills, including various amendments to the United States Constitution. The Sixteenth Amendment brought about a federal taxes, the Seventeenth Amendment mandated senators to be elected directly by citizens, the Eighteenth Bill banned the selling of alcoholic drinks, and the Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed women their right to freely vote (Milkis). The Food and Drug Administration was founded by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 to ensure the quality and safety of all foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, and the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which sought to prohibit anticompetitive business operations, were both aimed at improving worker and consumer rights. How Historian Assess the Progressive Movement Some historians have questioned whether the Progressive movement had any logical or political coherence due to the large variety of progressive reformers and the vague nature of progressivism. Despite the fact that the Progressive Party (also known as the Bull Moose Party) attracted many prominent politicians and intellectuals, the organization's brief life (1912–16) highlights the movement's strong centrifugal powers. Fundamental differences among the party's Surname 4 members about the position of the national state in governing society and the economy tore the party apart. The democratic presidential campaign of 1912, for instance, was strongly divided about whether the reform movement should attack constitutionally imposed racial segregation in the South, with Theodore Roosevelt as its standard bearer (Milkis). It did not, in the end, recognize the right of states and localities to address race relations issues. In reality, most progressives advocated for the “enlightenment” of common sovereignty rather than its extension. Work Cited Milkis, Sidney M. "Progressivism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Oct. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/progressivism. Accessed 9 May 2021. Surname 1 History Writing Question Meaning of history The term history, in simple terms, refers to the study of past events. History covers all the aspects of human our human society. Through history, therefore, we study change over time. By saying that history encompasses all aspects of human society, we mean that military, religious, intellectual, cultural, medical, technological, scientific, economic, social, and political developments are crucial aspects of history. People who study history are called historians (Carr, 2018). Why we should study history Today, history is among the most valuable and most respected academic fields that a person can learn. Therefore, there are various reasons why we should study history. First, studying history gives us a better understanding of our world. This implies that through the study of history, people can learn how past technologies, cultures, governments, ideologies, systems, and societies came into existence, how they functioned, and the ways in which they have changed over time. Having a rich history of our world will help us have a clear picture of where we are today. Second, studying history can make one a more rounded person. History is composed of many stories. Some of the stories are uplifting and inspiring, while others are immoral and chaotic. We can learn many important lessons if we tap into history's vivid realm. We can study times of joy and times of suffering, the lessons therein, and how to apply the same in our own life experiences. History can also encourage a deeper understanding of difference. There are many lessons to be learned, both bad and good, from how our ancestors used to interact with others with a different way of living. The third reason for studying history is that we understand identity. A nation is made up of legends and stories. Such stories can shape the way Surname 2 people think about their country and their standing within it. The idea here is that through history, we can learn how outstanding institutions are established and how they have contributed to where we are currently. We can also become inspired by studying history. This implies that historical stories can inspire people to greatness. Through studying history, brilliant people are remembered, and the heroic acts that have significantly changed nations. Therefore, a person can get great motivation by learning the inspirational events that have led us to where we are today. Studying history is also important because we can learn from mistakes, in addition to developing transferrable skills. How Zinn and Loewen have dealt various issues Within the context of our stories concerning Christopher Columbus, Native Americans, the Pilgrims, or slavery, discuss how historians (Zinn and Loewen) have dealt with the above issues specifically. According to Zinn, it is wrong to call Christopher Columbus a hero as portrayed by history books. Columbus instead a falsehearted and dishonest individual to people who supported his journeys, giving them fake promises. Zinn also claims that Columbus was a cruel abuser to the Arawak Indians and other people in the lands he came across. Zinn has portrayed the Native Americans in a somewhat favorable light. He associates them with a strong sense of wrong and right, peaceful nature, courteousness, and kindness. For example, he notes such qualities in the Iroquois tribe and then ascribes the qualities to all other nations. The arrival of the pilgrims resulted in the mistreatment of inferiors. Students in America have been taught that Columbus discovered the nation. However, Loewen considered this not true. He goes ahead and explains some inaccuracies. For example, Loewen states that Columbus did not discover anything. For thousands of years, native or indigenous peoples had been living in America. Loewen does not imply that Columbus is unimportant. In fact, Loewen states that Columbus Surname 3 should be remembered for revolutionizing race relations and transforming the modern world through the taking of labor, wealth, and land from the indigenous peoples. How history textbooks have begun to complicate our histories even further History textbooks have complicated our histories even further. In other words, it would be appropriate to say we are constantly committing educational malpractice. For example, the issue of slavery is being mistaught, especially in American schools. Unlike reading or math, there is no requirement for states to meet any academic standards when it comes to teaching social studies and US history. This implies we have no consensus on the curriculum on slavery. Textbooks have also been slow when it comes to incorporating black humanity in the slavery narratives. There is still a long way to go. Textbooks are expected to teach people about a standard set of facts about who they are as Americans. However, there are specious interpretations, downright errors, and omissions, especially regarding racial issues (Davidson, 2015). How my studies and readings and studies in this class have differed Concerning the above topics, my studies and readings have differed from the ways in which the topics have been portrayed to me in previous classes. In my previous classes, the topics and studies tended to be one-sided. For example, the issue of slavery was addressed with a significant focus on its negative side. However, such a topic is currently addressed comprehensively with a focus on its negatives and positives. Also, previous classes did not incorporate the aspect of historians. Fortunately, today it is possible to study history in reference to famous historians such as Zinn and Loewen. This has played a vital role in understanding how the historians felt about various issues such as slavery, pilgrims, Christopher Columbus, and Native Americans. Surname 4 What W.E.B Dubois means According to W.E.B. DuBois, when we study history, we tend to skim over the bad parts. However, doing so makes our history lose its value as an "incentive and example." W.E.B. DuBois means that it is human nature to prefer focusing on positive aspects and ignore the negative. For example, people may look at slavery in terms of how it contributed to growth in the United States. However, there is an integral part of how slavery was bad such as suffering and loss of lives. It is only through analyzing the bad parts of our history that we can learn from example and get the incentive to do better. In a nutshell, W.E.B. DuBois believes that in order to learn from history, we should focus on all aspects, the good and the bad (Williams, 2011). The far-reaching consequences of how so many of us have been taught history The ways in which so many of us have been taught history have had far-reaching consequences. History is meant to teach students about their past. Unfortunately, there are many significant errors and omissions that have led to students getting the wrong idea of America's history. The problem has been worsened by the type of textbooks being used in schools today. Ideally, textbooks are expected to inculcate in readers a genuine passion for the United States and the desire to defend and protect the nation's priceless heritage, institutions, and ideals. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. There is, therefore, the need to ensure that there is uniformity in what is being taught in schools and back it with evidence. This will ensure that students get the right information about America's history. Surname 5 Works cited Carr, Edward Hallett. What is history? Penguin UK, 2018. Davidson, Julia O'Connell. "Imagining Modernity, Forgetting Slavery." Modern Slavery. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2015. 1-27. Surname 6 Williams, David. A People's History of the Civil War: Struggles for the Meaning of Freedom. New Press, The, 2011.