History 371
Devine
STUDY QUESTIONS – PROGRESSIVE ERA
- Who were the
Progressives? Why did they think it
was important for government and/or the private sector to launch a reform
movement at the turn of the twentieth century?
- How did Social
Darwinists and Progressive reformers differ in explaining the causes for
social problems like poverty?
- Why have some
historians called the Progressive Era a “response to industrialism”? Why
do others say the progressives were pursuing a policy of “innovative nostalgia”
in their reform agenda?
- In formulating their
approach to reform, how did Progressives combine their beliefs in the
social gospel and the new methods of social science?
- Progressives were
concerned about how one’s environment shaped behavior. How did their proposals to improve the
lives of the urban poor reflect these concerns?
- How did the
initiative, referendum, and recall give more political power to the
voter? What unintended consequences
could result when each of these policies were implemented?
- Traditionally,
Americans had believed that they could do anything they wished with their
property without interference from others or from the government. During the progressive era, why did many
people begin to reconsider their position and welcome some government
regulation?
- Some progressive
reformers were more concerned with “social justice” while others gave
priority to “social control.” What
is the difference between these two ideas?